Bokoch V. Relationship between socio-political and religious-church transformations in Ukraine

The purpose of the dissertation is to identify the relationship between politics and religion, to clarify the features of the relationship of socio-political and religious-church processes in Ukraine. The object of the dissertation research is the relationship between politics and religion in the process of democratic transformation in Ukraine. The scientific novelty of the dissertation results lies in a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the functioning of religion in a democratic political system, socio-political conditionality of religious and church transformations and the reverse impact of religion on the political life of Ukrainian society. The dissertation research provides an interdisciplinary analysis of the relationship between politics and religion, shows the relationship between socio-political and religious-church processes in Ukraine. Based on the analysis of the legal principles and law enforcement practice of the Soviet totalitarian regime in the religious and ecclesiastical sphere, their anti-church orientation is proved. The consequences of the Soviet religious policy in post-Soviet Ukraine are revealed. The place and role of religion and church in the political system of Ukraine, directions of activity of power structures of Ukraine in formation and realization of the state religious policy are defined. The participation of religious organizations of different denominations in the events of the Maidan is covered, the reasons for their different activity are revealed. The political conditionality of religious processes in the annexed Crimea and the occupied Donbass is substantiated. It is noted that the religious situation in these regions is of concern to both the population of Ukraine and the world community. The political aspects of the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and its acquisition of autocephaly are being clarified. The role and place of the religious factor in the civilizational choice and European integration of Ukraine are studied. Emphasis is placed on the need to introduce European standards in the religious and ecclesiastical sphere of Ukraine. The imperial content and anti-Ukrainian orientation of the religious-geopolitical project "Russian peace" are shown, the necessity of counteracting its spread in Ukraine by secular and religious-church means is substantiated. Methods - historical, systemic, structural-functional, comparative, empirical. The conclusions and recommendations formulated in the dissertation can be used in the process of working on improving the legislation on religion and church, state religious policy, state-church and interfaith relations. The materials of the dissertation can be used by teachers and students of higher educational institutions in the process of teaching and studying such disciplines as the history of Ukraine, political science, religious studies, history and theory of state and law, public administration and others. The results of the study will also be useful for representatives of political parties in determining and clarifying their attitudes towards religion and the church, supporters of churches and religious organizations of various denominations interested in the processes taking place in socio-political and religious-church life of Ukraine.