Gender features of evangelical protestantism in nizhny Novgorod

The article analyzes gender features of the parishioners of Evangelical churches in Nizhny Novgorod ("Bible Center "Jesus Embassy", N=213 people, there is 43.2% of men and 56.8% of women), considers religious behavior, attitudes, value preferences and political preferences of women. In the socio-demographic portrait of a believer were identified following features: she is Russian married woman, from thirty to thirty-four years old with higher or secondary school education, has one child who joined the organization ten or more years ago, does not complain about health and in spite of this survives in the modern Russian socio-economic conditions. Evangelical Protestantism is an attractive alternative for young, educated Russian women. It suits the liberal ideology of the market, which has been propagandized in Russian society in last decades and affords a choice to improve life and realize their own opportunities. The predominance of women among the parishioners and presence of them among the many adherents shows that belonging to the movement does not encroach upon interests of women, and provides a high range of activities and changes their marital status. In the Russian socio-economic environment personal, family and community discipline of the Pentecostals allows women to survive and solve their personal problems. Promotion of stable relationships, desire to overcome family crises with the vigorous religious activity and mutual support in home groups attracts women and improve their self-esteem. Respondents build a social circle with specific outlook and reproduce a stereotypical behavior, which is common for the most women in society. Their context-independent strategy allows to find like-minded people in their religious environment and public continuum. This factor is decisive in the matter of indoctrination. The problematic and responsibility as essential characteristics of women of the Evangelical faith, shows that Pentecostalism is spreading around in their own ways. In modern Russian conditions it is possible strategy to increase the number of adepts.

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