Влияние ислама и православия на чувашей

Naturally, there is no religion, especially ethnic ones, devoid of influence. Historical development presupposes interaction, interpenetration and enrichment. At early stages of the Chuvashes it was Iranian influence and typology, and lately-Islam's, nowadays-those of Russian Orthodoxy. With regard to the religion of the Chuvashes there is a conviction that it is neither Iranian nor Muslim', but a folk religion, which represents the religion of Nature and all its elements. Incidentally, there is more than one everyday system. Mixed elements are quietly incorporated, and some lie hidden within. However, the synthesis and syncretization were not based on peace and gentleness, but rather on the principles of domination and subjugation. This paper focuses on the interaction between the religion of the Chuvashes with Russian Orthodoxy and Islam. The description of the characteristics of contemporary Chuvash religion given by Meszaros Gyula is compelling: "Most people were Moslems, however because of the currently unfavorable political situation, links with Moslem World were severed, and Islam merged with the as-yet unforgotten shaman religion in the souls of the people. From there, two components were created in contemporary Chuvash belief, and the influence of Russian Christianity can only be partly felt". Gyula was writing 100 years ago, but is the same remains true today. Meanwhile, polytheistic concepts do not conflict because they hold that all gods and spirits have a right to existence. The unilateral rigidity of monotheism is expressed by the formula: "If you do not serve our God, then you serve the Devil". This was vividly illustrated by the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, when men of different beliefs and scientists were compelled to recant and were burned at the stake. Both the remainder of the Chuvashes ancient religion and the part that has entered into the lap of Orthodoxy perceive Christianity as the religion of the Russians, and Islam is also viewed the same way.