Liberty of conscience in the context of the state religious relations

Abstract

In the article the authors note that when regulating the legal status of religious organizations, the legis-lation of most states proceeds from the recognition of freedom of conscience, which is attributed to universal values. The author emphasizes the existence of a multitude of interpretations in the understanding of freedom of speech, analyzes the moral, economic, legal aspects of freedom of conscience. The influence of new religious movements on the formation of modern state-confessional relations, the influence of the destructive behavior of totalitarian sects is noted. The author shows the necessity of using the etatist model of state-confessional relations, i.e. more active inter-vention of the state in the affairs of religious faiths (especially non-traditional religions) in order to achieve stability and consolidation in society.