Religious Security: Its Essence and Main Factors (Ukrainian Context)

Religious security is the protection of the religious space from internal and external threats, which is a particularly important issue in Ukraine today. In the premodern era, the idea of security was formed, which ensured, on the one hand, the development of a certain system of practices as auxiliary factors of neutralizing fear, insecurity, etc., and on the other hand, contributed to strengthening the protective function of various gods and forces as a means of preserving human integrity. In contrast, in the Christian worldview, chain interdependence is built between the concepts of “prayer,” “religious faith,” and “religious freedom,” the totality of which systematically modifies the space of religious security. Religious security ensures the free practice of faith for every citizen of Ukraine and the free functioning of religious communities; it enables the diversity of religious life and its openness, during which a wide space for dialogue opens up.