Confessional Foreign Regional Studies as a Field of Research

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of foreign confessional and regional studies is due to the influence of the religious factor on mentality, traditions, and culture of the population, as well as on the legal, social and economic components of society, which determines the specifics of the development of international relations. The objective of the study is to expand and introduce into scientific circulation the approaches and methods of applying scientific tools for research in the field of foreign confessional space. Materials and Methods. Data from financial reports of foreign religious organizations were used as the research materials. Basing on these and employing mathematical and statistical methods, the initial data were processed, which made it possible to identify territorial features as well as the specifics of economic and social activities within the confessional space of countries considered and religions widespread in them. Results. The study conducted made it possible to identify the specifics of comprehensive foreign research in the field of confessional space, which has been objectified into a scientific direction promising for further development. Great opportunities in the study of confessional space open up when adopting institutional and territorial as well as religion and landscape based approaches taking into account the specifics of the initial factual and statistical information available at the present stage. The former approach is more recommended for countries and regions where Christianity with a rigid territorial structure dominates, and the latter – for cases where the role of territorial setup is not significant for the functioning of religious organizations. Discussion and Conclusion. Further development of Confessional Foreign Regional Studies should be based on the strengthening of interdisciplinary linkages and the adoption of mathematical and statistical research methods. The results of the study can be used in the context of interfaith contacts, which are increasing in importance. Consideration of the models of functioning of the confessional space of foreign countries is advisable when developing a strategy for the development of the state-religion relations in the Russian Federation, and can also be taken into account by leaders of religious organizations represented in Russia.