Non-"Traditional" Religions a Threat in Russia

Mark Absher
9-17-10
9:15AM

In Russia, a divide is becoming more and more apparent in the government’s stand against certain religions. The country has a long standing policy of dividing religious organizations into two broad categories, traditional and everybody else. The government supports the “traditional” religions. What makes this so interesting and divisive is that this stand is nowhere espoused in law. In fact, it all comes from a position that the government takes without having the law or constitution to back it. This policy originates from the Russian Orthodox Church. Disappointingly, Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev have begun to subscribe to this. The government even views those of these not “traditional” faiths as “increasing the terrorist threat” in the country. So this beckons, who is under the umbrella as a “traditional” church? Only four religious groups actually. They are Russian Orthodox, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. Ironically, even offshoots of these main religions are not under the umbrella or recognized by the government. Christian religions such as Jehovah’s Witnesses have experienced problems being recognized and even faced some forms of persecution.
So, what does this mean for the Russian people? If you aren’t a strict subscriber to these four main religions you will have difficult time being able to have meeting places and even though their constitution provides protection for some freedom of religion, your efforts will be hindered. This separatist attitude that the Russian government is showing will do nothing but further divide a divided country. Yes, what we as Americans have learned is that by accepting differences it makes a stronger nation as a whole, obviously a concept not yet accepted by the Russian hierarchy. They are trying to curb terrorism, which is a natural thing to do, but the question remains, is this the way to go about it? I would say no, even though there are hints of some on the fringes of the political spectrum here in America who would probably do the same thing. Russia is due to have some growing pains in its fledgling semi-democracy, hopefully they find their way.


http://www.eurasiareview.com/201009178299/moscows-division-of-religions-into-traditional-and-all-others-heightens-terrorist-threat.html