By
In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law that
cracks down on missionary work and evangelism. Among other things, it
mandates that people share their religious beliefs only at
state-registered places of worship. Critics say the law, which was
approved as part of a swath of “anti-extremism and terrorism”
legislation, contradicts Russia’s post-Soviet constitution, which
guarantees citizens and foreigners the right to disseminate their
religious beliefs. “Soviet history shows us how many people of different
faiths have been persecuted for spreading the word of God,” wrote
Sergei Ryakhovsky, head of the Protestant Churches of Russia, in an open
letter to Putin. “This law brings us back to that shameful past.”
The
law comes at a time when the Kremlin is pushing a major anti-Western
propaganda campaign, from accusing the U.S. and U.K. of plotting to
overthrow Putin to boasting about Moscow’s ability to reduce the U.S. to
“radioactive ash.” And so far, the consequences of the law have
exclusively affected members of minority “foreign” religions—the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Protestants with Baptist,
Pentecostal and Seventh-day Adventist roots. Believers of these
religions have frequent problems gaining state permission for churches
and temples, and they often have little choice but to gather informally
at the homes of their congregants.
The Russian Orthodox Church, a
powerful Kremlin ally that has traditionally been hostile to minority
faiths, has not been affected, and Orthodox officials have dismissed
criticism of the law, saying it does not prevent believers from sharing
their faith. Russia’s Muslims, who make up some 10 percent of the
population, seem divided on the legislation, with regional muftis split
on whether it’s a gross violation of human rights or a necessary step in
the fight against Islamic extremism. Read more
No comments:
Post a Comment