Putin's ban on Christian Evangelism

[Tanuki]

I wonder how Trump's evangelical base can reconcile with this:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/july/russia-ban-evangelism-effect.html

....."The new laws will “create conditions for the repression of all Christians,” wrote Russia’s Baptist Council of Churches in an open letter. “Any person who mentions their religious view or reflections out loud or puts them in writing, without the relevant documents, could be accused of ‘illegal missionary activity.’”

Requiring a permit to evangelize is “not only absurd and offensive, but also creates the basis for mass persecution of believers for violating these provisions,” read another open letter signed by Protestant Churches of Russia leader Sergei Ryakhovsky among other signatories. The law is “the most draconian anti-religion bill to be proposed in Russia since Nikita Khrushchev promised to eliminate Christianity in the Soviet Union.”
..........

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom said it “strongly condemns” the measures, which commission chair Thomas J. Reese said would “make it easier for Russian authorities to repress religious communities, stifle peaceful dissent, and detain and imprison people.”

More than three-quarters of Americans want the next US president to “be committed to addressing the persecution that some Christians face around the world,” according to a poll released this week by Open Doors.

.......
"The requirement to practice religion only in registered places of worship creates a Catch-22 for Russian Protestants, who are often blocked by the state from obtaining property on which to build those houses of worship, Pentecostal Union deputy bishop Konstantin Bendas told Forum 18."......(more at link)

[we can do it]

1. The idiots here don't look at facts or think for themselves.

I hope they get what they deserve.

[potone]

2. The problem is...

that the rest of us are also going to get what they deserve, not what we deserve.

[Achilleaze]

11. Republican so-called 'christians' support Comrade Casino, who supports Pooty Poot

Thus taking stupid, vote-against-your-own-interests Republican-Russian Symps to a stupefyingly new low (R).

[we can do it]

18. Exactly

[enough]

3. It's going to be especially hard for them given their enthusiastic praise of his

"pro-family" anti-gay position.


http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/why-religious-right-shares-trumps-putin-crush


America's Religious Right's Cult-Like Attraction to Vladimir Putin

Authoritarianism, anti-gay actions and the integration of the church into a nationalism strategy looks good to many Christians gathered at the Values Voter Summit.

[Chasstev365]

4. Oh, the irony

I'm sure Franklin Graham and Paula White will be up in arms!

[malthaussen]

5. The American Communist Party was in much the same position...

... when Germany and the USSR signed the non-Aggression Pact. They got quite touchy about it when challenged.

But for an ideologue, the truth is whatever they say it is. This is the point Orwell was making in 1984, when Oceania switched alliances from Eastasia to Eurasia.

-- Mal

[EL34x4]

6. Russians aren't particularly tolerant of any religion other than

The Russian Orthodox Church, aka the Moscow Patriarchate. They have little patience for what they believe are invasive "American" religions such as Baptism, Pentecostalism, Adventism and Mormonism and their annoying foreign proselyters.

[Crunchy Frog]

14. They probably have some idea that these churches are highly politicized here,

And could easily act as conduits for American political interference should they establish a strong presence there. I'd be wary too.

[texasfiddler]

7. Can we institute this law in the US?

I'm a Christian and I don't see a problem with it. Worship in your churches. Stay away from my government and my front door.

[HAB911]

9. Amen, brother. nt

[Bradical79]

12. You don't see the problem?

You don't see the problem with the government controlling who can and can't talk about religion publicly?

[TonyPDX]

13. Yes, please.

[Tanuki]

15. Be careful what you wish for. What makes you think this law keeps

the church (at least the one preferred by the state) away from government? It targets specific religions, free speech, people's ability to gather to worship in their own homes, and much more. If you think this means that Putin et al are striking a blow for the separation of church and state, think again.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulcoyer/2015/05/21/unholy-alliance-vladimir-putin-and-the-russian-orthodox-church/#50e78f786881

[philosslayer]

17. Not a fan of the first amendment I take it?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

Got a problem with that second clause?

[Vogon_Glory]

8. Trump's Evangelical Friends Will Find A Way

Right-wing American Evangelicals will always find a way to justify support of tyrants when speaking of Liberty, to justify cruelty while speaking of love, to justify hunger while speaking of abundance, and to justify religious oppression when speaking about freedom of religion.

The Religious Right has proven itself to be morally, spiritually, and intellectually bankrupt.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

10. Maybe Trump will follow Putin's lead and Democrats can win...

the white vote again! If no white evangelicals had voted, Hillary would have won the majority of white votes too!

No, I don't really want to disenfranchise or repress them! I guess.

[milestogo]

16. I don't think we should ban evangelicals, just ban them from voting.