Contemporary criticism of Orthodox Christianity in Russian Federation

Abstract

The article deals with the topic of contemporary criticism of Orthodox Christianity in Russia. A detailed picture of the phenomenon of religious criticism in today's socio-cultural discourse is presented, several leading directions criticism of orthodoxy, both from representatives of the church, and from among the representatives of secular society is analyzed. Criticism of Contemporary Orthodoxy reflects the contradictory situation of religion in the modern world. The collapse of the Soviet ideological system created a certain ideological vacuum which was to fill the Russian Orthodoxy. Selected influenced by internal "Right Forces" conservative development path gradually became more controversial and contrasted with liberalism 90s in Russia. Sharp government policy in the direction of conservatism during the presidency of Vladimir Putin considerably influenced the process of convergence of church and state. In the official Church rhetoric were conflicting narratives, in terms of many in the liberal society like "Russian world" and "Symphony of spiritual and secular power". In general conservative course of Russia socio-political role of the Church began to gradually narrow to the State Institute of spreading the conservative and nationalistic ideology. This contradictory position of the Church caused a consistent criticism on the part of members of secular society, and by the different origin and political orientation of internal Church groups. Secular society representatives focused on the growing level of ecclesiastical fundamentalism, political and economic activity of the Сhurch, its rapprochement with the state and attempting to influence the institution of public education. Liberal-minded members of the Сhurch community criticized domestic conservatism, lack of reforms, strict hierarchy, low educational work of the Сhurch. Conservative circles of ROC criticized the passivity of the Russian Orthodox Church in opposition to ecumenism and globalization processes.