Religion as a factor of systemic social changes: the specifics of current situation

Abstract

The one of results of secularization was diminishing of religion capacity to affect on social processes, in particular on social changes. At the same time there are enough examples from different countries when religion was significant for social changes, their direction and extent. Religious agents have participated in processes of democratization (but have supported conservative and authoritarian turns also), have promoted some changes of values and norms in the middle of broad masses. Such influence was making by religious organizations and communities mainly. They provided moral support of actions, directed to changing of social conditions, supported and promoted progressive and humanistic ideas, directly participated in social and political activity for the some programs, legitimized changes and de- legitimized existing order, was a means for mobilization of masses, acted as a part of civil society. But in modern societies, there are number of limitations for religious possibility to support the social changes or to direct implement them. Namely it is about the depth of personal religiosity of broad mass, the capacity of religion to give new ideas, related to secular norms of life (ideas which are inside of religious teaching, or promoted and supported by religious organizations), the presence of cooperation between religious organizations and secular institutions and communities). In secular societies, the possibilities of influence of religious actors are quite limited both for self-sufficiency (only combination of activity of secular and religious actors can be successful), and for extent (religious agents makes local effects of changes and changes in some social sphere or segments), and have extended in time efficiency. The turn of state to religious organizations for help in realization some plans of social transformations appears to be justified, but for realization of such politics great caution is required and such cooperation is must be a part of long strategy.