The social responsibility of religious institutions: case of the evangelical Lutheran church of Sweden

The main topic of the study is the social responsibility of foreign religious institutions and their organizations. Main subjects under investigation are the main content, leading directions and ways of implementation of social responsibility using the example of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden (ELCS). The goal of this study is to identify prevailing features and characteristics of the activities related to social responsibility at the level of a religious institution with great cultural significance, predominant number of adherents and «national» status. Conclusions are based on data achieved from financial reports of the ELCS for the period 2011-2018. Comparative comparison, analysis and synthesis methods were used. The main hypothesis of the study is that the spheres covered by social responsibility of the leading religious institutions are expanding following the actualization of socioeconomic problems at the national level. The ELCS implement a variety of activities within the framework of social responsibility, but they are mainly focused on education, culture, employment spheres and adaptation of migrants' programs. The experience of the ELCS in organizing socially oriented events, developing the content and forms of their conduct can be useful for Russian religious institutions (as for those that already have similar experience, as for those that are just planning to start).