Abstract

The religious situation in Russia has changed greatly following the collapse of communism in 1991. Although the process was more difficult and contradictory than expected in the early 1990s, Russia has made considerable progress on its way to religious freedom. Now, people can openly profess their faith. To evaluate the degree of religious freedom in contemporary Russia, it is necessary to examine legal acts such as the Constitution arui laws on religion, and how they are implemented, the dynamics of the denominational structure of the population, and the status of different denominations in society. During the 1990s, there were crucial changes in such spheres as the principles of church-state relations, religious legislation, and the role of religion in the social, political, and cultural life of the country. Religion is recovering its place in society lost during the Soviet period, and can play a significant role in overcoming the social crisis and contribute to building a civil society. The growing interest in religion can be reconciled with freedom, pluralism, and tolerance.