Secular state: myth or reality?

According to the Constitution of our country, Russia is a secular state. Thus, according to this concept, none of the religions can be established as universally binding. Also, according to clause 2 of Article 14 of the Basic Law of the Russian Federation, any associations created on religious grounds are equal before the Constitution. It would seem that everything is extremely simple and understandable. But more and more often one can hear public opinion that in our country the church and the authorities have a direct, obvious relationship, which is contrary to the law. Is it really?

A secular state is a state (in a general sense), where the relationship between government and the church is built on the principles of non-interference. Revealing the concept can be said that religious associations should not perform any of the functions of state power, respectively, and the management of them does not entrust this responsibility. At the same time, state structures should not interfere in the affairs of religious associations, authorities, etc. Besides, the secular state forbids associations to participate in elections and any kind of activity of parties, movements formed on political grounds. No one has the right, using his powers, to impose on the people a particular religion or world view. In general, it is forbidden to create any religious associations in state or municipal structures.

The secular state reflects the principle of the separation of the school and the church. Separate religious educational institutions are being created, in public and private schools all educational religions of the program are coordinated with teachers and parents. A student has the right to refuse to study such a discipline without explaining the reasons.

The following principle of a secular state is reflected in the right to freedom of religion : no religion can be universally binding. Forcible compulsion of a person to this or that religious form violates his rights. The person has the right to choose independently what to profess and how to pray to the gods. Also, the right to be an atheist remains for the person.

But the federal law, which also mentions associations, also says that there are "especially valuable" religions, such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, etc. This is contrary to the Constitution, as it could be traced. According to the law, it was these religions that influenced the formation of the historical inheritance of Russian society. It is also said that in such an organization there should have been more than 10 people, while each of the individuals has the right to freedom of religion independently. Despite the fact that the government has no right to influence the church, the state promotes the formation of religious organizations and supports them (provides financial assistance, settles problems with tax and other benefits).

So, returning to the topic, is Russia a secular state? Recently, many dissatisfied with the activities of the ROC because the church allegedly wants to usurp secular power. Even under Peter I , the idea was formed that the church is a religious institution, but in 1917 the entire system was completely destroyed. Despite all the events of the last century, the church still has this or that (albeit indirect) influence on the state and the people, this fact is undeniable.

The secular state has the opposite order - theocratic. If the first religion is not fundamental, then in the second the authority is built on the hierarchy of the church.

To argue on the topic of whether the constitutional order is observed in the country is rather difficult. We live in a multinational state where the number of religions can reach any number, which is why imposing a single ideology here is not possible.