Issues of Formation of the Conceptual Apparatus of Religious Studies Expertise

Abstract

Religious expertise is one of the youngest and most problematic areas of religious studies in the CIS, it needs to develop a number of theoretical issues and practical objects. In the international context of the problem, the RE procedure is often perceived as an archaic institution and a legacy of an atheistic policy that infringes on the rights of believers. But the facts show that the abolition of RE and the registration of religious organizations in the early 1990s led to the uncontrolled importation of extremist literature into Central Asia and the emergence of illegal religious groups. As a result, a number of terrorist attacks took place in Uzbekistan. Therefore, the study of this topic is relevant, it includes a range of theoretical issues, ranging from methodological issues of the study of materials of religious content to practical tasks of preventing extremist ideology.

The study revealed a common understanding in Central Asia of both the positive potential of religion, primarily the titular religion, Islam, and the threats associated with the possibility of its radicalization. The issues of formulating the terms – “materials of religious content”, “religious expertise”, “conclusion of the RE” and the methods of conducting the RE of the republic are approached based on their religious policy and culture. Common are the conditions in which the propaganda of revived religious values takes place – the post-pandemic crisis period, and socio-political instability, which makes people susceptible to radical ideas.

A comparative analysis of the religious discourse on RE in legal documents, legislative acts, and religious media content of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia made it possible to identify approaches to defining its basic concepts, problematic issues and ways to solve them. The study used general scientific methods, taking into account the principle of historicism, a structural and systematic approach, and logical procedures. The method of induction was used to prove the extension of the conclusions of the materials of religious content examination of Islam to other religions. Analysis of the topics of scientific discussions led to the conclusion about the need for interdisciplinary research, and standardization of terminology.