On the issue of understanding the role of religion in the life of a modern person (based on the materials of a sociological study in Barnaul)

Religion has always occupied a certain place in the system of social existence, reflecting the degree of development of a particular society. An assessment of the role of religion in the lives of modern individuals makes it possible to identify its true spiritual and social potential, which is often mundane and destroyed by everyday life. The subject of the study, therefore, is the role of religion in the life of modern man. It is emphasized that the basis of the sociological understanding of religion should be its functional understanding, the appeal to religion as a link integrating, adapting individuals, forming moral attitudes. This approach is based on the views of well-known functionalist sociologists: E. Durkheim, B. Malinovsky, P. Berger, T. Lukman. However, it is important to understand that in different societies and at certain stages of historical development, religion performs different functions, that is, attempts at functional understanding should not be reduced to universalism. In addition, in certain situations, religion can become a factor of disintegration, thus manifesting its dysfunction. The empirical part of the study is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods that allow us to form a holistic view and draw reliable conclusions. The article presents the results of a survey and in-depth interviews with Barnaul residents. The novelty of the research consists in a comprehensive analysis that affects, firstly, all available socio-demographic groups of the population, and, secondly, allows us to address not only individual facts of religious experience of individuals, but also to evaluate them in aggregate. The need to study religion is emphasized specifically in the environment of a modern city, characterized by the alienation of individuals, the loss of traditional values and the commercialization of various types of activities. It is noted that religion is assessed by the majority of respondents as a positive social phenomenon capable of regulating the behavior of individuals and helping in difficult and crisis situations. Despite all the positive assessments and the high proportion of adherence to certain faiths among Barnaul residents, various types of traditional religious practices are not very popular among the population, which in most cases is explained by the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, established traditions and lifestyle, and individual psychological characteristics. The data obtained may be of interest to sociologists, religious scholars, specialists in the field of state-confessional relations, government authorities and law enforcement officers.