SOCIO-LEGAL TRANSFORMATION OF RELIGION IN UKRAINE: SPIRITUAL-CULTURAL, SOCIO-POLITICAL AND SECURITY PHENOMENA

Abstract

The article reveals the socio-legal transformation of religion in Ukraine in the context of modern spiritual-cultural, socio-political and security challenges. It is substantiated that religion in domestic society is gradually going beyond the boundaries of individual perception, turning into an influential social institution involved in the processes of forming national identity, civil solidarity and social stability. In the process of research, the main stages of the transformation of public attitudes towards religion during 2014–2025 were identified, taking into account the dynamics of the level of trust in religious institutions and changes that affect the perception of their role in the public space. Attention is focused on the growth of the security dimension of the religious sphere in the context of a full-scale war, which influenced the use of religion as a tool of political pressure, ideological legitimization of aggression and hybrid actions. It is proven that the socio-legal transformation of religion is based on a combination of spiritual-cultural, socio-political and security aspects, requiring the formation of a balanced state policy based on the principles of the rule of law and freedom of conscience. At the same time, the role of state bodies in ensuring regulatory and legal mechanisms for regulating relations between the state and the church, supporting nationally oriented religious communities and implementing the principles of decolonization of religious space is revealed. The conclusions emphasize that in the process of combining legal, cultural and security measures, religion acts as a factor of social consolidation, moral support and strengthening of the national security of Ukraine. The effectiveness of such an approach depends on maintaining a balance between guarantees of freedom of conscience and the need to counter external and internal threats that can be implemented through the religious space. At the same time, the activities of religious organizations must take place transparently, without the possibility of using them as an instrument of political pressure or information influence. The development of interfaith dialogue and partnership should be based on the principles of institutions of mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. In this format, religion is able not only to preserve its own spiritual autonomy, but also to strengthen social cohesion and stability of Ukrainian society in today’s conditions.