Whew. You need to read more about the struggles of Christians under Hitler and the struggles of Christians in Russia who are not in the Putin-approved church. Have your read: “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas. Christians today who do not go along with Putin are persona non grata. Why do Christian FReepers carry water or ignore the very UN-Christian nature of KGB Colonel Putin turned ultra-nationalist Russian?
You are letting your own feelings and biases speak for you. What I said: Putin is simply returning to the Pre-Marxist norm that Russia has practiced for 1000 years. The Russian Orthodox Church is seen as part of Russian society and culture, which should be promoted and preserved as a means towards stable society - and government.
Many nations do this. Most nations of the West did this as well up until a century ago - it is how the world works. Deal with it.
The idea of “religious freedom and pluralism” is an American invention. It has worked here because it is part of American culture and our system of governance - and there has been a common thread of Christianity in the USA.
We ourselves will find out how well religious pluralism works if/when Muslims become 20% of the population living among a population of mostly atheists.