Sociology and “sociology” or why logical truths should be regularly proven

A recent survey on the topic “Religious Life of Ukraine”, conducted by “Ukrainian Sociology Service” organization, derailed all sociological information having been collected before. To be reminded, all the previous data, which were widely circulated by the “Kiev Patriarchate” representatives, testified to 20% up to 25% of the population associating themselves with the UOC, while the UOC-KP affiliates counted as much as 50% of the citizens of Ukraine.

Despite the UOC trying to point to the inconsistency of such sociological conclusions, nobody listened to the Church’s “voice in the wilderness”. One of the most evident arguments working in favor of the UOC became the fact that by the number of parishes the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is twice as big as the UOC KP. Still the information propaganda machine was incessantly producing something like “UOC loses its parishioners”, “Kiev Patriarchate is the most popular Church” etc.

The results of the sociological study, conducted by “Ukrainian Sociology Service”, just confirmed what representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church had said. In fact, 70% respondents identified themselves as religious, out of them 67% made up their minds as for their confession. 39% of the respondents identified themselves as UOC believers, 25% support the UOC KP, while 21% are affiliated to the UGCC.

Parochial Arithmetic

Before we speak on the issue, one should admit sociology itself is a universal thing. In other words, sociological studies very often become one of the instruments to manipulate the human mind. Taking account of this fact, one cannot say though the survey conducted by "Ukrainian Sociology Service” company on the topic “Religious Life of Ukraine” is custom-made similar to those being hyped by the UOC KP several months ago. There are evident things one cannot argue with.

In order to prove that the statement made is appropriate, it’s worth citing a statistics-based comparison in separate regions, for example, Volyn region. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the locality is presented by over 600 parishes, while the “Kiev Patriarchate” counts about 330 ones. It’s noteworthy such situation is common in almost all regions of Ukraine, except Ternopol, Lvov, and Ivano-Frankovsk oblasts.

Owing to this fact, it’s pointless arguing about the UOC being actually the most numerous Church in Ukraine. Furthermore, given that the number of parishes and monasteries is steadily rising, any doubts around this issue are completely assuaged. In its turn, an adequate approach to the business by the "Ukrainian Sociology Service” company provides grounded reasons to trust other data it has published.

A little bit about One Local Church

Apart from the information about confession, the survey of the "Ukrainian Sociology Service” company also included questions on creating One Local Orthodox Church. It’s noteworthy, over the last year this issue has been a hot button for the highest political levels of Ukraine. Not being aware of fatal implications to be engulfed due to the potent pressure and unjustified urgency of meeting their requirements, statesmen alongside with religious stakeholders drag One Local Church “by the ears”, as the saying goes.

According to the above survey, 45-50% respondents have failed altogether to give their opinion on how relevant the issue of creating the local church is. 36% gave their preference to establishing this structure without any interference of the state power. 32%, in their turn, said that One Local Church of Ukraine is not necessary, since it is going to restrict the rights of the faithful to freely choose their denomination. In the context of the above words it’s relevant to say some “hot heads” want to set up One Local Church not only out of regular Orthodox confessions, but also of the Greek-Catholic one.

Thus, is the issue as currently important as it is positioned and lobbied in separate political and social circles? Given the survey’s outcome, one can say that those, who bring up the issue of one local church in an empty-talk way, haven’t looked into the problem at all to come up with any mechanisms to launch this procedure. If this formation is to take place at the cost of discrediting the biggest denomination in Ukraine – Ukrainian Orthodox Church – then it’ll hardly yield positive results.

Most likely, the current Ukrainian political elite are eager to make One Local Church one of its scarce political victories, owing particularly to the fact they have failed to make any achievements in other spheres. Namely for this end functionaries, ranged from the President to rank-and-file MPs, pay regular visits to Istanbul to the residence of Constantinople Patriarch. Besides, several months ago a letter, composed and supported by the Ukrainian Parliament, was sent at the same address, begging to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

What was to be demonstrated...

It was clear from the very beginning to the people who adequately take a contemporary religious situation of Ukraine without any sociological studies that the UOC is the biggest denomination in Ukraine: both by the number of believers, clergymen and by the number of parishes and monasteries. Someone might say it’s not an indicator, yet there is no rationale denying these obvious facts.

It’s also important to note such surveys are highly necessary. First of all, the public at large has to be informed on the true state of things on the religious map of Ukraine. Secondly, the data delivered refute a series of fibs from the UOC-KP members and their adherents in political circles. Thirdly, the very fact of conducting this survey and presenting impartial information demonstrates gradual break through the blockade with regard to the UOC, which by all means has to be taken advantage of.