Russians are Europeans ...or not?

Are Russians Europeans or not?

Asked by Om Pratap, New Delhi

Dear Om,

Despite the apparent simplicity of your questions ...the answer always causes major geopolitical debate inside and outside Russia....

I am sure there are plenty of dissertations written on the description of who- can-be-considered-real-Europeans.-Those-who-are-born-on-the-territory-or-those-who-are-born-from-the-local-parents-etc.... depending on the side taken your question, when it comes to Russia, can have both possible answers.

Russians as nationality - yes)....Russians as citizens of Russian Federation - please read below ))))))))

AXIOM

When it comes to pure mathematical approach and calculation based on math and geography the omniscient Wiki says: "Russia is by far the largest country in the world, covering more than a ninth of the Earth's land area. Russia is also the ninth most populous nation in the world with 142 million people. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 9 time zones and incorporating a wide range of environments and landforms". It could be only added that Europe here is considered as a continent (like Africa, Australia, etc) with a total territory of 10 392 855 km2.
However even if 79,3 % of the population of Russian Federation lives on the territory of the European part of Russia it would be a way too easy to think that this fact makes Russian population Europeans.
HISTORICAL ARGUMENTS or "TAUGHT STUFF"


Even if the territories of restless East Slavs (ancestors of modern Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians) caused a lot of headache to late Roman Empire, it was far and away from major European events until 957 when the most influential local Russian Prince Vladimir sent his envoys to study the religions of various neighboring nations.

Suddenly, these far pagan territories promised new income and people to various geopolitical parties.

Thus, Russian Sovereign chose Christianity.

However, the somber churches of the Germans didn't correspond his taste. It was at Saint Sophia (Constantinople), where the colorful ritual of the Byzantine Church was conducted to impress them, so he found what he was looking for: "We no longer knew whether we were in heaven or on earth". If Prince Vladimir was impressed by what saw his envoys, he was yet more impressed by political gains of the Byzantine alliance.

THUS BECOMING OFFICIALLY CHRISTIAN, RUSSIA became ally of ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL EUROPEAN STATES, EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE.

Well, sharing religion doesn't make people the same and it was until much later (17 century) when Peter the Great after his own "reality check" had to admit that sometimes progress has to be forced in Russia.

Among various changes in State structure (NEW CAPITAL - ST.PETERSBOURG - named by Peter the Great "WINDOW TO EUROPE") his reforms included changes in social and everyday life:

NO BEARDS,
NO BULKYDRESSES FOR WOMEN,
EUROPEAN EDUCATION FOR SONS OF THE NOBILITY...

All of this was implemented on not a negotiable basis (as often it was done in Russia))))).

He wanted Russia to become part of Europe...and he made her become such.

MODERN TIMES
Having said all of that, it will be extremely unfair to a long and complicated Russian history to say that Russians are Europeans by historical determination.

If you have read my previous posts you must have already noticed that many of Russian traditions are similar to those of other nations and nationalities of not European origin (read Caucasus, Siberia, Far East) Besides, our last official census of 2002 has showed that 182 different nationalities are living on the territory of Russian Federation.They live, mix, get married, share same habits and history.

GETTING SENTIMENTAL or RUSSIAN SOUL

If I may allow myself a little sentimental comment here.

In my humble opinion, the biggest mistake people make when dealing with Russians is just treating them like any other European nation, forgetting the complexity of the territory, size and history. That is why later on when one gets disappointed or his illusions get broken, he tends to generalize and make quick conclusions.
I am sure many problems could have been avoided if behind our European (or Asian) looks people could see mysterious echo of Asian, Middle Eastern, European behavioral traces mixed up with enormous distance and common historical "good and bad"...or simply what others call "Russian soul" (which can really ache, trust my word!)
P.S. So Sir Winston Churchill did get it at the end saying:

"Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma" ))))

Choice of Russians: Mr.Darwin vs. God?

I read something recently that the majority of Russians do not believe in evolution.
First of all, I was wondering if this is true?

Secondly, I thought this to be interesting, especially since the United States is more known for extremist views on the issue as well as a traditional pension for listening to crazy as a valid way to run a society. However, I thought that since Russia (for nearly a century, anyway) has been known as a secular government and Soviet times emphasized science (please, correct me if I'm wrong) they would be more inclined towards Darwinism.

Do you think there are more creationists in Russia than people who believe in evolution, and how do you think this affects the society at large?
Asked by Marie, USA
Serious question demanded serious research...et voila!

HISTORY
It is true that Russia is a secular State since January 23rd, 1918.
One of the first decrees adopted by young Soviet State was separating the State and official Church. The separation was not just proclaimed but also implemented by all possible means (elimination of influential people included).
Soviet schools received the order to teach Darwin theory as a part of biology course and always did so. Soviet science was there to prove that God had not influence on the life of new society, where religion was considered as para-science or superstition.
However, we all know that people, in general, don't necessarily agree with the official point of view ...and especially during the difficult times.
It was extremely ambitious plan of the Soviet state to erase religion from the life of its citizens and control their minds and souls...but the beginning of the World War II in 1941 proved that not all wishes come true...even when it was Stalin who wished.
Hard to say, how many of those who fought in the WWII battle fields believed in God and who in Darwin theory, but the presence of the faith during the hardest times showed that Darwin was not the best allay in motivation of the soldiers.
Soviet State had to admit that with limited military professionals, shortage of arms and hidden discontent of civil population (remember 1937 purges) it was hard to count on self-motivation. So at that very moment all prosecuted religions were called to help motivate Soviet citizens. Both Orthodox and Muslims received certain permissions to practice their faith. With restriction ....but still.
As often before, relegious leaders didn't need to be told what to say and how to address to people. Many of them also volunteered to serve in the Red Army but the 1945 WWII victory didn't mean return of faith practicing in people's everyday life.

Becoming less aggressive the State didn't end the prosecution of the religion (many churches and mosques were still closed)... but the special scientific studies had to answer the question on God's existence.
Years later, Soviet cosmonauts had admitted that they've been questioned after returning from the space on what they could have noticed "out there"....some of them admitted that it was after "their open space walk" when they became practicing Christians.

Thus faith and scientific research managed to exist together until the very perestroika when Soviet people finally had a chance to rediscover their traditions and religions.

END OF XX CENTURY

The recent studies of the subject showed interesting facts.
The polls published by Russian independent institute of social and national problems (РНИСиНП) in 2000 showed that by the end of XX century 46,9 % of population openly declared to believe in God, that almost twice is more than in the end of 1970th.

At the same time, the number of those who do not believe in any supernatural forces (10,3 %) has decreased. Thus 25% of people claimed to be hesitating between believing in God or in anything at all.
It showed, that the general number of believing in God(46,9 %) was much less than the general number of adherents of various religions(69,5 %).

The center "Religion in a modern society " which performed the study specified this strange fact in answers of respondents showed that the identification by religion "Orthodoxy ", "Judaism"or" Islam" was rather a way to show the affiliation to special way of life, culture, type of a civilization.
Thus among those who claimed to be non-believers (37,6 %), there were also those who believed in future (1,6 %), signs (14,7 %), in a certain supernatural force (13,2 %), in afterlife (2,8 %), sorcery and magic (3,4 %), in incarnation (2,4 %), etc. " All of this again confirmed that the majority of Russians, irrespectively of fact, if they consider themselves to be believers or not, in actual life, believe in various archaic, pre-christian and pre-muslim ideas, pagan traditions ".

NOWADAYS
Having said that I have to confirm your sources.

Latest polls showed that only 24% of Russian population believe in Darwin theory and this number equals to the one for those who believe that God was at the origin of human creation.
And to be totally honest ......53% of those who responded said that "Darwinism? Never heard this word" )))))))

P.S. Have I answered your uneasy question?