Administrative and municipal law - rubric Administrative law, municipal law and the issues of political science

Abstract: The subject of this research is the constitutional amendment related to mentioning the name of God in the context of interaction between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state in the conditions of establishment of a new postsecular reality. Attention is turned to the new trends in state legal development of Russian and foreign countries, caused by more tolerant and friendly attitude of government institutions to religion. Analysis is conducted on “pros” and “cons” of this amendment from various perspectives: legal values, history of state and law, human rights to liberty of conscience. The objections against this amendment are viewed through the prism of arguments of secularity of the state. Research methodology is based on the axiological, historical and comparative-legal analysis of the problem. The main conclusions consist in the following statements: it is necessary of acknowledge the promptness of constitutional recognition of such value as “faith in God” from the position of the common unifying idea in terms of the Russian federalism; such amendment would contribute to more effective legal regulation of the religious rights and freedoms; it would regulate state-confessional relations; constitutionalization of religious values leads to insurance of human rights to liberty of conscience, as well as protection of the feelings of believers and religious security of the society. Acceptance of constitutional amendment with the mention of “faith in God” is reasonable and timely; and its placement within the Chapter of “Federal Structure” is justified, although in would be more appropriate in the preamble.