ETHNICITY AND RELIGIOSITY: INTERRELATIONSHIPS AND DIFFERENCES IN THE POLYETHNIC REGION OF THE RUSSIAN BORDERLAND

Abstract

The article presents the results of sociological research in four regions of the Asian borderland (Novosibirsk oblast, Altai krai, Republic of Altai, Republic of Tyva, n = 1860, 18-70 years). The purpose of the analysis was to compare ethnicity and religiosity, evaluates by questions aimed at self-identification and determination of closeness with ethnic and religious groups, the level of religiosity according to the index of centrality of religiosity (CRI-20). The results indicate that, in modern conditions, the religious and ethnic identities are influenced by the ethno-religious composition of the region and determined by its specificity. In the national regions there is a hypertrophied identity among members of the regional ethnic group, while in other ethnic groups the ethnic factor is less actualized. The level of social aspect of religious identity is lower in comparison with ethnic identity, and there is an asymmetrical relationship, manifested in the ethnization of religious rather than the confessionalization of ethnic relations.