Interrelation Between Ethnic Culture and Religion: General and Specific Connections

Abstract

The interrelation between "ethnic culture" and "religion" is conceived, identifying both general and specific aspects. Ethnic culture is regarded as a result of the activities of representatives of the ethnic group, which allowed them to communicate, consolidate, focusing on the search for prospects for their development. Traditional culture, national culture and mass culture are correlated with ethnic culture. Despite some proximity of these phenomena, they differ from each other, and in the course of their comparison, general and special aspects are distinguished. It is justified that religion is an integral part of ethnic culture, forming a certain worldview among the ethnic group, raising its spiritual level. The spiritual development of the ethnic group, along with folklore plots, based on religious values, are preserved in the ethnic culture itself. Historically outgrowing the volume of ethnic culture, religion spreads among different peoples, ceasing to be a part of the culture of an individual ethnic group, but at the same time becoming a factor in the unification of various cultural characteristics. When considering the interrelation between religion and nation, their specific relationship should be noted. Thus, being a component of national culture, religion takes an active part in the formation of national identity, spiritual consolidation and unity of people.