According to the Constitution of our country, Russia is a secular state. Thus, according to this concept, none of the religions can be established as universally binding. Also, under paragraph 2 of Article 14 of the Basic Law of the Russian Federation, any associations created on religious grounds are equal before the Constitution. It would seem that everything is extremely simple and clear. But more and more often one can hear public opinions that in our country the church and the authorities have a direct, obvious relationship, which is contrary to the law. Is it really?
A secular state is a state (in a general sense), where the relationship between government and the church is based on the principles of non-interference. Revealing the concept, we can say that religious associations should not perform any of the functions of state power, respectively, and the government does not impose this responsibility on them. At the same time, state structures should not interfere in the affairs of religious associations, authorities, etc. Among other things, a secular state prohibits associations from participating in elections and any kind of activity of parties, movements formed on political grounds. Nobody has the right, using his powers, to impose this or that religion or worldview on the people. In general, the creation of any religious associations in state as well as municipal structures is prohibited.
The secular state also reflects the principle of separation of school and church. Separate religious educational institutions are being created, while in state and private schools all religious education programs are coordinated with teachers and parents. The student has the right to refuse to study such a discipline without explanation.
The right of religious freedom reflects the following principle of a secular state: no religion can be universally binding. Forced coercion of a person to one or another religious form violates his rights. A person has the right to choose independently what to profess and which gods to pray. Also, the individual retains the right to be an atheist.
But the federal law, which also mentions associations, also states that there are “especially valuable” religions, such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, etc. This is contrary to the Constitution, as could be traced. According to the law, it was these religions that influenced the formation of the historical inheritance of Russian society. It is also said that in this kind of organization there should have been more than 10 people, while each person has the right to freedom of religion on his own. Despite the fact that the government does not have the right to influence the church, the state promotes the formation of religious organizations and supports them (provides financial assistance, settles problems with tax and other benefits).
So, back to the topic, is Russia a secular state? Recently, dissatisfaction with the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church has often been voiced due to the fact that the church allegedly wants to usurp secular power. Even under Peter I , the idea was formed that the church is a religious institution, but in 1917 the whole system was completely destroyed. Despite all the events of the last century, the church still has one or another (albeit indirect) influence on the state and people, this fact is undeniable.
The secular state has the opposite system - theocratic. If in the first religion is not fundamental, then in the second, power is built on the hierarchy of the church.
It is rather difficult to discuss whether the constitutional order is respected in the country. We live in a multinational state where the number of religions can reach any number, which is why the imposition of a single ideology is not possible here.