Russians generally treat Jehovah’s Witnesses in a negative or neutral way; a decision to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses is supported by Russians, according to the recent VCIOM-Sputnik survey data.
MOSCOW, July 25, 2017. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to the attitudes of Russians towards Jehovah’s Witnesses, an organization banned in Russia.
Many Russians have heard about Jehovah’s Witnesses, but most of them are only aware of the name (27%). Informative answers are either negative (“religious sect” (18%), agitation, intrusive behavior (12%), extorting money (6%) et cet.), or neutral (“a religious movement” - 10%, distribution of leaflets – 8%). Those who previously heard of the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses tend to express negative attitudes (53%) or are indifferent (44%).
Asked if Jehovah’s Witnesses can be treated as religious denomination, 80% of Russians who heard anything about the organization give a negative answer; they are opposed by 11% (23% of the 18-24-year-olds; 17% of atheists and agnostics).
Given the prevailing negative image of Jehovah’s Witnesses, most of Russians support the Supreme Court’s decision to ban the activity of this organization in Russia (7% of those who are aware of the organization). Only 5% disagree with that; 16% are indifferent.
At the same time, anxiety and dislike towards representatives of certain religions or religious movements are not typical for Russians: only 11% have similar feelings, whereas 84% do not have them.
The Medialogia Company carried out an analysis of the mentions of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian media. Over five years a total number of 26,000 publications were found; most of them were made in April 2017 (Supreme Court banned the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses).
The VCIOM-Sputnik Russian nationwide survey was conducted on July 20-21, 2017. The survey involved 1,200 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
The Russian media publications were monitored and analyzed by the Medialogia Company using the company’s media database involving approximately 41,500 media sources such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, news agencies and online media. The study took place from July 24, 2012 to July 24, 2017.
Have you previously heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses, or is this the first time you hear about that? If you have heard anything, what exactly was it? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, %) | |
| Total respondents |
I heard something but I do not know any details | 27 |
This is the first time I hear about that | 20 |
Religious sect | 18 |
They agitate: they go door to door and importune pedestrians on the streets, call on the phone | 12 |
One of Christian movements | 10 |
They distribute leaflets, brochures with information about their activities | 8 |
They deceitfully extort money, apartments (et cet.) from people | 6 |
Organization banned in Russia | 3 |
Stupid people, not normal | 1 |
American sect | 1 |
Terrorist organization | 1 |
Other | 3 |
Don’t know | 4 |
How do you treat Jehovah’s Witnesses? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware of them) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Rather positively | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Rather negatively | 53 | 37 | 46 | 40 | 59 | 66 |
Indifferent | 44 | 56 | 52 | 58 | 39 | 29 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
In your opinion, are Jehovah’s Witnesses a religion? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware of them) | ||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox Christians | Followers of other religions | Non-believers, those fluctuating between belief and unbelief |
Likely yes | 11 | 10 | 14 | 17 |
Unlikely no | 80 | 82 | 80 | 69 |
Don’t know | 9 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
Russia’s Supreme Court has recently declared Jehovah’s Witnesses as an extremist organization and banned its activities. The organization undergoes liquidation. What is your attitude toward the Supreme Court’s decision? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who are aware of them) | ||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox Christians | Followers of other religions | Non-believers, those fluctuating between belief and unbelief |
Completely support | 58 | 62 | 52 | 42 |
Rather support | 18 | 17 | 22 | 18 |
Indifferent | 16 | 14 | 12 | 30 |
Rather not support | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Completely not support | 3 | 2 | 7 | 5 |
Don’t know | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Some people treat with caution, distrust or dislike representatives of particular religions or religious movements. Do you feel the same? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||||||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Definitely yes | 4 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Rather yes | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
Rather not | 26 | 21 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 23 |
Definitely not | 58 | 61 | 55 | 67 | 60 | 53 | 58 | 56 |
Don’t know | 5 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 10 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory! The use of the Medialogia system content, fully or partially, must be accompanied by the reference to the Medialogia Company.