This problem in its essence is extremely delicate, socially sensitive and extraordinary in the broad context of those democratic processes taking place in Ukraine, those transformations that are inherent in all spheres of life of the Ukrainian society, incl. and its religious realm.

Ukrainian society and its state are in a stage of transition, in search of the optimal path and prospects of their development, by all the parameters of their present life. This period is characterized by complex, qualitative and quantitative measurements, of the transformations inherent in all spheres of social life.

First of all, I consider it necessary to note that the full value of freedom of existence of religious organizations operating in the territory of our country, the realization of their tasks, goals depends first of all on the effective mechanism of their legal support and legal guarantees. It is clear that the legal norms fixed in the legislation of Ukraine, which relate to the sphere of freedom of religion, concern only the plane of realization of freedom of conscience - (...) freedom of religious expression both at the individual and the collective levels. This is an extremely pressing issue that needs scientific reflection. (shrink)

The problem of freedom of conscience is an important component of the subject field of Ukrainian religious studies, both in the historical and contemporary context of its development. In view of the complex, all-encompassing transformation processes that have taken place in our country for eleven years of its independent existence and continue today, it has been and remains relevant and socially demanded in theoretical and practical terms.

Problematic issues of freedom of religion in their theoretical and practical comprehension, in particular their contemporary analysis in the context of the principles enshrined in the Vatican II adopted by the document on freedom of religion - the Declaration of "Dignitatis humanae" - "Dignity of the human" are extremely relevant and important as a philosophical- legal and religious studies, and in theological discourses.

It is noteworthy that today, both in Europe and throughout the geolithic space, problems related to religion, in particular in their confessional expression, have come to the fore again. They are actualized not only in the context of the globalization processes and their consequences that the world is experiencing, but also of the serious challenges that the international community faces and which are to some extent generated by a religious factor, in particular its Islamic variety.

Through its struggle for three centuries, a demonstration of the strength of their beliefs, the patience and suffering of Christians in the beginning of IV. have achieved to a large extent what they demanded, what they wrote and what the apologists of Christianity sought. The latter gained the right to freedom of his being in a polytheistic state.

Department of Philosophy of Religion The Department of Religious Studies of IF NASU during 2006-2008 carried out the specified planned theme. Below we present its sections in the summary. The full study material will be published in the monograph under the same title, which will be published by the end of 2009. The book can be used as a textbook on religious studies.