Russia Targets Religion

[rug]

‘Broad limitations on missionary work, including preaching, teaching, and engaging in any activity designed to recruit people into a religious group.’



Russian President Vladimir Putin at midnight Orthodox Christmas Mass in a church in the village of Turginovo, Jan. 6. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

July 1, 2016 6:36 p.m. ET

Christians in Russia won’t be allowed to email their friends an invitation to church or to evangelize in their own homes if Russia’s newest set of surveillance and anti-terrorism laws are enacted.

The proposed laws, considered the country’s most restrictive measures in post-Soviet history, place broad limitations on missionary work, including preaching, teaching, and engaging in any activity designed to recruit people into a religious group.

To share their faith, citizens must secure a government permit through a registered religious organization, and they cannot evangelize anywhere besides churches and other religious sites. The restrictions even apply to activity in private residences and online.

This week, Russia’s Protestant minority—estimated around 1 percent of the population—prayed, fasted, and sent petitions to President Vladimir Putin, who will have to approve the measures before they become official.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/notable-quotable-russia-targets-religion-1467412609

[doc03]

1. Why isn't Puty Put shirtless? Trump's best bud n/t

[rug]

2. It was January in Russia.

[Jim__]

3. Russia appears to be on a very dangerous path.

Putin is using religion to stoke nationalism. That can put things on an unstable edge. I hope no one makes a misstep.

[rug]

4. Yup, the Tsar and the Patriarch were the columns of the Russian Empire.

The failure to recognize non-Orthodox religions is a tried and true mechanism to advance nationalism.