Current issues of legal regulation of state-confessional relations in modern Russia

Background. The article is devoted to the processes’ influence of secularization and desecularization occurring in the religious sphere of modern Russia on the development of state-confessional relations in modern Russia and, accordingly, on the legal regulation of these relations. The purpose of the study is to identify the main issues that arise as a result of such influence. Materials and methods. The objectives of the study were achieved by studying a wide array of legislation, the opinions of experts and scientific sources on the stated topic. The methodological basis of the research consists of such methods of cognition as analysis and synthesis, formal-logical and comparative-legal, which made it possible to compare the provisions of normative legal acts that to some extent affect the issues of stateconfessional relations, as well as to trace the influence of the processes of secularization and desecularization on the legal consciousness of citizens and on legislation. Results. The results of the study allowed us to formulate some proposals for the harmonization of state-confessional relations at the present stage of their development. Conclusions. There are both negative and positive trends in the development of state-confessional relations. The main problems in this area include the emergence of legal prerequisites for the clericalization of society and the state, in the abuse of law by the church and authorities in resolving issues affecting the interests of religious associations