FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG STUDENTS

ФАКТОРЫ, ВЛИЯЮЩИЕ НА ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ РЕЛИГИОЗНОГО СОЗНАНИЯ У СТУДЕНТОВ

Костенко София Олеговна

студент, кафедры социологии и организации работы с молодежью Белгородский государственный национальный исследовательский университет,

РФ, г. Белгород

ABSTRACT

This article examines the main factors influencing the formation of religious consciousness among students. Special attention is paid to social, cultural and educational aspects, as well as the influence of family and environment on religious attitudes of young people. The study is based on the analysis of sociological surveys and interviews with representatives of students from various educational institutions.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В данной статье рассматриваются основные факторы, влияющие на формирование религиозного сознания у студентов. Особое внимание уделяется социальным, культурным и образовательным аспектам, а также влиянию семьи и окружения на религиозные установки молодежи. Исследование основано на анализе социологических опросов и интервью с представителями студенческой молодежи из различных учебных заведений.

Keywords: student youth, religious consciousness, attitudes, factors, sociological analysis.

Ключевые слова: студенческая молодежь, религиозное сознание, установки, факторы, социологический анализ.

Religion is an important component of spiritual life, influencing all spheres of society, largely determining its moral level and the content of public consciousness as a whole. Religiosity implies personal inclusion in institutional structures ("churching") and the reproduction of dogmas in the mind and behavior of a person.

According to E. M. Bobosov: "It seems that issues related to the spiritual and moral sphereof being are most relevant foryoung people, since youth is a period of active formation of a stable system of values, the formation of self-consciousness and socio-cultural identification. In turn, modern university students are a social group that largely determines the picture of public consciousness in the future" [1, p. 125].

The formation of religious consciousness among students is a multi-faceted process in which various social, cultural, educational and personal factors intersect. Understanding these factors is important for developing programs to support the spiritual development of young people, as well as for studying the dynamics of religious attitudes in modern society. Let's take a closer look at each of the factors.

Religious awareness is an important part of the daily life of many students belonging to different faiths. According to empirical studies, religion is perceived by modern students as a fashionable phenomenon (religious wedding ceremonies, participation in baptisms, religious holidays and charity events held by religious organizations are especially popular among young people) or as a formal institution that preserves and transmits moral norms, cultural heritage and contributes to the preservation of national identity and culture [2, p. 35].

As W. James notes in his works: "A denomination is a religious offshoot, an association that professes a common religion, but has its own direction, its own creed, its own ritual. Religious worldview-characterized by belief in supernatural forces that play a dominant role in the life of people and the universe, bifurcation of the world on earth and heaven, and worship of supernatural forces. Religious behavior is a subjective assessment of the quality of certain objects, living conditions and activities, life in general, relationships with people, people themselves, including themselves (self-assessment). Religious consciousness is a reflection of reality in fantastic images. The main features of religious consciousness aresensitive visibility, thecombination of content adequate to reality with illusions, faith, symbolism, and emotional saturation. Self -identification is an involuntary process of identifying an individual with a person who has the desired qualities for this individual, which, as he believes, are characteristic of his own self" [3, p. 62].

Cultural traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation play a significant role in shaping religious consciousness. In families where religion is important, students are more likely to follow religious practices and values.

The educational environment also influences religious consciousness. Educational institutions that offer courses in theology or ethics can contribute to a better understanding of religious teachings. On the contrary, in the context of secularization and the spread of atheistic beliefs, students may have doubts about traditional religious values.

Family support, as well as the level of parents ' religiosity, serve as important indicators of the formation of religious consciousness. Students who grew up in religious families are more likely to retain their affiliation to a particular religion and take part in church life [4, p. 156].

Among students, peer influence and social connections play a key role. Friend groups can strengthen or weaken religious beliefs. Interaction with like-minded people contributes to the strengthening of religious identity.

Economic conditions of life, the level of material well-being, and the availability of educational resources can influence religious consciousness. In times of economic instability, students can seek solace and meaning in religion.

Students are characterized by an active search for identity, which also applies to religious beliefs. Students can experiment with different religious trends, which can lead to a rethinking of their previous beliefs [5, p. 179].

Psychological factors such as self-confidence, anxiety levels, and life satisfaction also influence the formation of religious consciousness. Students experiencing stress or anxiety may turn to religion for support [6, p. 122].

Forming the religious consciousness of students is a complex process that depends on many factors, including the social environment, cultural traditions, educational opportunities, family upbringing, and personal experiences. Understanding these factors will help develop effective strategies to support the spiritual development of young people and create a favorable environment for shaping their worldview.

References:

1. Babosov, E. M. Obshchaya sotsiologiya [General Sociology]. posobie dlya studentov vuzov [Special guide for university students]. 2nd ed. – Minsk: Tetrasystems, 2018. – 640 p.
2. Gryaznova E. V., Maltseva S. M., Bulganina A. E., Komarova A. N. K voprosu o religioznosti sovremennykh studentov [On the question of the religiosity of modern students]. - Text : direct. // Baltic Humanitarian Journal, 2020, vol. 9. – № 1 (30). – P. 34-36.
3. James, У U. Diversity of religious experience / U. James, Moscow, 1993, pp. 60-65.
4. Dobrenkov V. I. Metody sotsiologicheskogo issledovaniya [Methods of sociological research] Добреньков. Moscow: Infra-M, 2016, 768 p.
5. Efimenko, M. N. Religion. Tradition. Society. Opyt sotsial'no-filosofskogo analiza rossiiskogo regional'nogo razvitiya [Experience of socio-philosophical analysis of Russian regional development].  Orenburg, 2001, pp. 179-180.
6. Kravchenko A. I. Sotsiologiya: uchebnik dlya studentov vuzov [Sociology: a textbook for university students]. Logos Publishing Corporation, 2006, 382 p.