Russian Christ. The Struggle of the Russian Orthodox Church to Introduce Religion into the Curriculum in the First Decade of the Twenty-first Century

Abstract

An interest towards a social role of religion including religious education (RE) is in increase in the European Union. Yet, whereas the Western educators focus mostly on potentials of religion for a dialogue and peaceful co-existence, in Russia religion is mostly viewed as a resource of an exclusive cultural-religious identity and a resistance to globalization. RE was introduced into the curriculum in Russia during the last ten to fifteen years. The author analyzes why, how and under which particular conditions RE was introduced in Russia, what this education means, and what social consequences it can entail.