Migration Attitudes of Moscow and Belgorod Residents with Unconventional Religious Beliefs
Research Article
How to Cite
Lyutenko I.V. Migration Attitudes of Moscow and Belgorod Residents with Unconventional Religious Beliefs. DEMIS. Demographic Research. 2025. Vol. 5. No. 3. P. 177-191. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19181/demis.2025.5.3.11 (in Russ.).
Abstract
In a context of geopolitical instability, migration attitudes are changing. This necessitates research on groups with unconventional beliefs, such as those who practice or do not practice unconventional religion. A study was conducted in Moscow and Belgorod in 2014 to examine the migration sentiments among Muscovites, Belgorod residents, and other groups. The groups were divided into two categories: “practitioners,” who have unconventional consciousness and engage in rituals, and “nonpractitioners,” who only have non-conventional religious beliefs but do not participate in the practices associated with those beliefs. The results showed that “practitioners” are more interested in non-conventional and esoteric teachings, especially in Moscow, which has a higher general interest in these beliefs. In Belgorod, “practitioners” are more involved in ritualistic activities. The study also found that those planning to migrate are mostly “practitioners,” while those considering staying within the country are more often “nonpractitioners.” “Practitioners” often migrate due to social issues in their current location, while “nonpractitioners” focus on economic factors when considering migration. In Belograd, “practitioners” have a stronger motivation to migrate, driven by factors such as social, family, and work-related issues. Overall, the study suggests that “practicioners” are more active participants in migration, focusing on leaving for social and political reasons, while “nonpractitioners” may be more likely to move within the country for economic reasons. The level of involvement in religious practices also influences the intentions of these two groups.
Keywords:
migration attitudes, potential for migration, unconventional religious beliefs and teachings, eastern religions, Moscow, Belgorod region
References
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3. Wilson, B. An Analysis of Sect Development. American Sociological Review. 1959. Vol. 24, No. 1. Pр. 3–15. DOI 10.2307/2089577.
4. Balagushkin, E. G. Netraditsionnyye religii v sovremennoy Rossii: morfologicheskiy analiz [Unconventional religions in modern Russia: a morphological analysis]. Moscow : Institute of Philosophy RAS, 1999. 221 p. ISBN 5-201-02012-7. (In Russ.).
5. Martinovich, V. A. Netraditsionnaya religioznost': vozniknoveniye i migratsiya: Materialy k izucheniyu netraditsionnoy religioznosti [Unconventional religiosity: emergence and migration: Materials for the study of unconventional religiosity]. Vol. 1. Minsk : Minsk Theological Academy, 2015. 560 с. ISBN 978-985-7028-11-5. (In Russ.).
6. Barker, E. The Making of a Moonie: Choice or Brainwashing? Oxford : Blackwell, 1984. 305 р. ISBN 978-0631132462.
7. Beckford, J. A. Cult Controversies: The Societal Response to New Religious Movements. London : Tavistock, 1985. 335 p. ISBN 0-422-79630-1.
8. Levitt, P. God Needs No Passport: Immigrants and the Changing American Religious Landscape. New York : New Press, 2007. 270 р. ISBN 1595581693.
9. Kublitskaya, E. A., Lyutenko, I. V. Sociocultural and Family Values of Russians with Non-Traditional Religious Views (On the Example of Moscow and Belgorod Region). Research Result. Sociology and Management. 2024. Vol. 10, No. 4. Pp. 5–30. DOI 10.18413/2408-9338-2024-10-4-0-1. (In Russ.).
10. Lyutenko, I. V. Sociocultural Representations of Native and Non-Native Youth with Unconventional Religiosity (A Sociological Survey of Students). Research Result. Sociology and Management. 2024. Vol. 10, No. 1. Pp. 40–53. DOI 10.18413/2408-9338-2024-10-1-0-4. (In Russ.).
11. Lyutenko, I. V. Sociocultural Representations of Tuvan Youth with Unconventional Religiosity (Sociological Experience). Science. Culture. Society. 2023. Vol. 29, No. 2. Pp. 103–116. DOI 10.19181/nko.2023.29.2.9. (In Russ.).
12. Malinovskii, I. А. New Age Practices Among Post-Soviet Urban Youth as a Cultural Form of Care of the Self Techniques. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies” Series. 2023. No. 6. Pp. 138–157. DOI 10.28995/2686-7249-2023-6-138-157. (In Russ.).
13. Kublitskaya, E. A. Traditional and Non-Traditional Religiosity: An Experience of Sociological Study. Sociological Studies. 1990. No. 5. Pp. 95–103. (In Russ.).
14. Morrison, P. S., Clark, W. A. V. Internal Migration and Employment: Macro Flows and Micro Motives. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. 2011. Vol. 43. No. 8. Pp. 1948–1964. DOI 10.1068/a43531.
Article
Received: 02.07.2025
Accepted: 30.09.2025
Citation Formats
Other cite formats:
APA
Lyutenko, I. V. (2025). Migration Attitudes of Moscow and Belgorod Residents with Unconventional Religious Beliefs. DEMIS. Demographic Research, 5(3), 177-191. https://doi.org/10.19181/demis.2025.5.3.11
Section
Migration and Migration Policy
