Every third woman and only every tenth man are going to fast this year.
MOSCOW, March 10, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how many Russians are planning to observe fasting, and which restrictions they impose on themselves.
Twenty one percent of Russians are planning to fast this year in a varying degree (32% a year ago); however, most of them would restrict themselves only partially (13%). The share of Russians which do not plan to fast has increased again after continuous decrease (from 62% in 2010 to 75% this year).
Most of those who are willing to fast are women (30%), elderly respondents (29%) and metropolitan residents (33%). Twenty-six percent of the orthodox believers are going to fast. Men (85%) and Russians younger than 35 (82-84%) would eat normally.
Those who are planning to fast would restrict themselves to eating animal products (48%). The rest of respondents tend to reduce the consumption of certain products (13%).
The share of those who go to church, read the prayers and religious literature, refrain from drinking alcohol (6% for each), try to be tolerant, avoid bad thoughts and using bad language (5% for each), reduce entertainment activities (4%) and help the needy (2%) during the lent has considerably decreased.
The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on 5-6 March, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error doesnot exceed 3.4%.
How do you nourish yourself during the season of lent? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| 1998 | 2002 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
Eat normally | 79 | 76 | 83 | 70 | 62 | 75 |
Observe fasting during the last week of the Lent | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Observe fasting partially | 11 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 13 |
Completely observe fasting | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
Hard to tell | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
w do you nourish yourself during the season of Lent? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox | Muslims | Other religion | Vacillation between belief and disbelief |
Eat normally | 75 | 72 | 69 | 96 | 88 |
Observe fasting during the last week of the Lent | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Observe fasting partially | 13 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
Completely observe fasting | 4 | 5 | 1 |
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Hard to tell | 4 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 6 |
If you plan to fast, which restrictions will you impose on yourself during the season of Lent? (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who plan to observe fasting in a varying degree) | |
I do not eat animal products | 48 |
I reduce the consumption of certain products | 13 |
I go to church, pray, read religious literature | 6 |
I do not use alcohol | 6 |
I try to be calm, reserved and avoid bad thoughts | 5 |
I do not use bad language | 5 |
I restrict my entertaining activities | 4 |
I observe fasting partially (as long as my health allows) | 4 |
I help the needy, try to be kind | 2 |
Other | 2 |
Hard to tell | 24 |
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