SPbCU held the presentation of "Religions of Russia" 2010
The presentation of "Religions of Russia" 2010 was another good reason to gather together in the walls of SPbCU for representatives of academics and religion.
The calendar accounts for a wide range of readers, which is why it holds information which may interest those who hold the most diverse world-views and preferences.
As the union of researches of religion is a educating organization, the Calendar includes headings such as: International actions of freedom of consciousness; Russian Law on freedom of consciousness - you can be acquainted to the essential positions of the international and Russian normative legal acts which protects the rights of a person in his world-view, regulates the order of education and activity of religious unions. Others include: Thoughts on Religion; Religions of the World; Religious Studies; Statistics and Sociological testimony; Pros and Cons - detailed historical, religious, and sociological statistics and further information.
As Mikhail Ivanovich Odentsov concluded the official presentation of another creative work, he continued to answer questions. From that, the discussion flowed into talking of the modern realities of society. Questions were addressed to Odentsov not only as to the president of the Union of Researchers of Religion, but also as the director of the Division of protection of the freedom of consciousness as an authorized representative of Human Rights of the Russian Federation.
Topical questions which interest many religious organizations and simple Christians were highlighted: education of the fundamentals of the religious culture, restrictions and impediments which are created by authorities for the Christians and religious organizations - this and many other questions were touched upon by the listeners of the presentation.
Mikhail Ivanonich did not simply give detailed answers, but also designated his concern of the observance of the rights to freedom of consciousness and religion in 
Russia.
The fundamental reason is because of what is currently happening, which he called the lack of an academic approach to religious studies, an abolition of religious studies in our country, and, unfortunately, besides being impetuous, there is a leveling understanding of "tolerance" in our society. Although the authorities attempt to develop tolerance programs, hold grand events in support of tolerance in the society and way of life, the average man more often meets with intolerance and, even worse, aggression, towards various obscure and unfamiliar manifestations. Considering the "geometric progression" of the occurrences, the perspectives which await us are not the brightest.
This is why the release of the calendar "Religions in Russia" is one of the attempts to show the diversity of religious life in Russia, in all its fullness, without a preconceived opinion. "As much as I may not like a certain phenomenon, observed in the contemporary religious life of Russia, it is what reflects that society, which makes up our country," stated Mikhail Ivanovich. This is why Mikhail Ivanovich Odentsov calls for the activity of union of researchers of religion, as well as the activity of the Human Rights division of freedom of consciousness of an academic approach.
Rector of SPbCU Alexander Negrov and Mikhail Odentsov