Ivanchenko A. Social, cultural and psychological aspects of religious consciousness

This work deals with the major aspects of religious consciousness phenomena. Historical overview of problem genesis is given as a critical analysis of actual ways to solve it. The need of multidiscipline research of religious consciousness is especially stressed. Religious thinking is formulated as main criteria to define the religious consciousness. This study gives definition of religious consciousness as well. In this context, the problem of religious truth is revealed as content of religious consciousness. Religious thinking, religious language, religious worldview, religious faith, religious experience, and ritual practices have undergone deep analysis as functional components of religious consciousness. The main factors which influenced the development of religious consciousness are: dynamics of age growth, gender, character and temper, the relationships with parents or caregivers. Social adaptation and psychological integrity are proved to be criteria of psychic normality for development of religious consciousness. The main idea of the conclusion is that religious consciousness is major integrative factor of religious systems.