Nykytchenko O. Peculiarities of forming of image of the new religion movements in the context of the modern understanding of the freedom of conscience in Ukraine.

This dissertation is an independent religious studies research in the process of which the existent image of the new religions in public consciousness is analyzed in the context of present tendencies in understanding of freedom of conscience and the possibilities of scientific editions and secular mass-media to influence on its formation, attached to overcoming the stereotypes and claims of democratization of society. The inter-disciplinary (philosophical, jurisprudence, historical, sociological) research of new religions enabled to select two basic approaches in attitude of society toward the new religions. The first one is presented by scientific books by researchers of religions and publications of some publicists and journalists who understand freedom of conscience in philosophical aspect, that are reflective of the contemporary model of the church – state relations of the democratic countries and based on the fundamental principles of freedom of religion. The presenters of this approach try to discover and explore such lines of the new religions which correspond to their actual lives. The second approach, typical of most publications on the new religionі in the secular media, indicates what is characteristic of new religions and usually do not adequately reflect the reality of the new religions’ existences. Therefore the image of the new religions is distorted in public consciousness, which negatively influences on the process of democratization of society, the constituent of which is freedom of thought of citizens of Ukraine, foremost in the area of freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.