The Emergence and Development of New Religious Movements in Kazakhstan in the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries (based on materials from the Turgay and Ural Regions)

This article examines history of emergence and development of new religious movements in Ural and Turgay regions in late 19th - early 20th centuries. New religious groups and communities formed in these regions went through several stages, influenced by policies of Orenburg administration, activities of Orthodox Church, and changes in imperial legislation. Study was conducted primarily on archival documents and personal sources. Archival materials include correspondence between local and central authorities, reports on new religious groups, their composition, and statistical records. Personal sources consist of memoirs from leaders and preachers of Baptist communities. Particular attention was given to analyzing collected data, as well as time and place of formation of new religious groups, their activities, leaders, preachers, influence on local population, and relationships with authorities and Orthodox Church. Studied topic is divided into specific issues: emergence of new religious movements, formation of groups and communities, attitude of local authorities and Orthodox Church, changes in legislation, departure of representatives of other religions from Orthodoxy, development of new religious groups, and their activities. Detailed conclusions were drawn for each aspect, allowing deeper understanding of spread of new religious movements in studied regions. This analysis provides a more comprehensive view of religious changes in the area.