Religion as a social and historical phenomenon: Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1974, 263 p.

The author argues that the phenomenon of religion - as well as its expressions and categories - differs from the usual subjects of scientific research. With this work, the author seeks to raise the issue and propose a methodology for systematizing and classifying religious phenomena that can only emerge on the basis of Marxism-Leninism. In addition to the problem of scientific knowledge of the phenomenon of religion, the book addresses a number of other issues, including the problems of its social function, sources, crisis and limits of transformation.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter I. Methodology of the criticism and the history of knowledge of the phenomenon of religion

Marxist methodology of consideration of the phenomenon of religion

History and state of non-Marxist research of the phenomenon of religion

Chapter II. Religion as a specific form of the social consciousness

Religion in the system of forms of the social consciousness

The object of the religious reflection

Form of the religious reflection and the specificity of religion

Chapter III. Constituent elements of religion

Сoncept of the constituent elements of religion

Conceptual element of religion

Religious cult

Religious feelings

Chapter IV. Genesis and reproduction of religion

Preconditions and causes of the emergence of religion

Conditions of existence and channels of reproduction of religion

Process of the establishment and consolidation of religion in the individual consciousness

Chapter V. Trends in the historical variability of religion

Formation of the primitive religion

Evolution of forms of religious reflection

Modernism and conservatism in religion

Crises and limits of religious transformation

Chapter VI. Social functions of religion

Is religion social or individual?

Religion as an anti-scientific worldview

Limitations of religion as an ideological integrator of social life

Religion as a counter-value

Religion - the opium of the people

Chapter VII. Religion as a historically transient phenomenon

Criticism of the bourgeois futurology of religion

Marxism-Leninism on the regularity of the death of religion

References