In recent decades, there has been a striking shift in Russia's public consciousness, where traditional religious traditions are yielding to the pursuit of material and media success. Historically, the influence of humanistic ideology—which proclaimed human reason and welfare as the highest values—laid the foundation for resistance against religious dogmas. This transformation profoundly affected collective thinking, especially after the collapse of the “Iron Curtain,” when external cultural influences introduced new ideas and caused spiritual instability among people who had lost their former bearings. In this context, modern youth increasingly focuses on visual and material success rather than on spiritual heritage, reflecting a widespread shift in societal priorities. The result is a dynamic yet contradictory portrayal of contemporary Russian society, where deep historical changes and powerful external influences are transforming traditional values into a new, more pragmatic worldview.
What socio-cultural factors can explain the tendency to reject traditional religious values in Russia in favor of material and media ideals?
In analyzing the tendency to reject traditional religious values in Russia in favor of material and media ideals, several interconnected socio-cultural factors can be identified.
First, the influence of humanistic ideology, which dominated the 20th century, plays a crucial role. This ideology, as noted in the source, promoted the well-being of individuals achieved through their own reason as the highest value, while simultaneously “battling” against the traditional religious demands imposed on society. Specifically, it is stated:
