Religiosity and Issues of Interethnic Relations in Russia

The role of mass religiosity of Russians is not limited to the functions of value consolidation and the provision of moral unity. Religion has become an active element of ethnic consciousness (identity); its role in inter-ethnic relations has increased. The risk of involving religion in the processes of interethnic tension represents a real danger to social stability in multicultural Russia. According to the data of the Center for Ethnic Sociology of the FСTAS RAS, when answering the question about what unites people of one nationality most of all, from 20% to 60% of respondents in different regions choose religion as a sign of ethnic identification and the support of ethnic self-awareness. The question is urgent: in the conditions of mass formation of ethno-confessional identities and the strengthening of the role of religion, will religiosity support interethnic accord of Russians or, conversely, strengthen borders and increase distance? For a real assessment of the role of religiosity in the processes of formation of interethnic harmony or tension, it is necessary to study these phenomena at the local level and in regional diversity.