RELIGION

RELIGION, a form of social consciousness, behavior and cult, characterized by the belief in the existence of supernatural forces, one or more gods. There are theological (confessional), philosophical, sociological, psychological, mythological, linguistic, and other concepts in religion. The structure of religion includes religious consciousness (faith, imagery, and symbolism); non‑cult (development of religious ideas, systematization and interpretation of dogmas, missionary work, etc) and cult (worship, ceremonies, holidays, and pilgrimage) activities, religious relations, non‑cult (church councils, religious schools) and cult (the clergy of a parish, episcopate, muftiat, etc) organizations. There are three historical forms of religion. The first one is the tribal form of religion, which appeared in the Pre‑Historic Society. Its distinguishing features are the cult of ancestors, the chief’s cult, fetishism, totemism, magic worlds and animism. The second is the National Form of religion (Hinduism, Judaism, Shintoism, etc) appeared and evolved during the process of the formation of nation. And the third one is the World Form of religion (Buddhism, Christianity and Islam), which appeared during the process of formation of empires and became widespread regardless of ethnic, linguistic, political, or social ties. World and national religions are characterized by a ritual combined with a strict system of religious precepts and prohibitions.

Before the adoption of Islam, the Bashkirs were characterized by tribal pagan beliefs, which formed the basis of Tengriism. Islam and Christianity penetrated into Bashkortostan in later historical times. In the RB, there are 9 religious centers, including the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, the Ufa Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Regional Association of the Christian Baptists Evangelical Church, etc. There are 1,445 religious organizations in the RB. According to 2015, the percentage of religious organizations is as follows: Muslim – 67%, Orthodox – 22%, and Protestant – 11%.