Why Russia Can't Be America's Ally: What Putin Doesn't Want You To Know

Providence Magazine: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy ^ | May 12, 2017 | George Barros

[GoldenState_Rose]

"Perceptions that Russia is a defender of Christendom in an increasingly secular world are not based in reality. Any discussion concerning the relationship between Christianity and Russia cannot fail to take into consideration the Russian Orthodox Church, which dominates practically all aspects of Christianity in Russia. It is well known among Sovietologists that the ROC historically has been used by the Kremlin and serves as an extension of the Russian state and its intelligence services—it is no coincidence that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a decorated KGB agent. (This issue warrants a paper on its own, and I will write more on this topic later.)"

"Even within Christendom in Russia, Christians who do not completely recognize the authority of the Kremlin’s Moscow Patriciate are persecuted. There are several public examples of how the Russian State uses its power to defend the Russian Orthodox Church’s (and the Kremlin’s) monopoly on faith.

"Protestant missionaries usually suffer under Russian law and government authorities. Take for example the unfortunate case of Donald Ossewaarde, an American Baptist Missionary in Russia who, for hosting a Bible study in his home in violation of Russia’s Yarovaya Law[1], was arrested, fined 40,000 rubles, intimidated by Russian authorities, and forced to end his ministry."

"Just as Moscow supports “Christian” actors who serve Kremlin interests, Moscow supports Islamic actors who serve Kremlin interests. In fact, Putin stated that the Russian Orthodox Church has “much in common with Islam,” that “Islam is one of the traditional religions of Russia and deserves the support of the [Russian] government,” and that Russia will always be “a reliable ally” to the “Islamic world.” Perhaps Putin’s endorsement of Islam helps explain why the Kremlin has been supportive of a litany of radical Islamic regimes and tyrants."

[GoldenState_Rose]

I've posted on FR numerous times as a former Russian expat. Reminders for everyone idealizing Putin, even if you've toured Moscow/Saint Petersburg and haven't ventured into the regions:

YES I get it: America is weak. Europe is socialist/terrorist-ridden etc...And Russia loves that you think this because it only furthers their ends.

BUT Russia BOTCHED its 2-decade opportunity to be a genuine standard-bearer for what has been lost in the West and instead chose to revive nostalgia for everything which made it collapse in the first place. Nostalgia for both tsarist Empire days AND the Soviet Union -- the VERY SYSTEM whose reverberations of 1) socialism, 2) bureaucratization, and polluted fumes of 3) godless secularism continue to choke the foundations of our own civilization and act as cancer on the human spirit.

Soviet Communism did FAR more and continues to do FAR MORE to threaten Western civilization than Islam!

In today's Russia. It's not uncommon to see icons of Lenin/Stalin side by side with Jesus in the homes of "the faithful."

And Putin's system of Kleptocratic Crony Capitalism with oligarchic assets stored in all those so-called evil Western banks is crumbling.

* For all it's anti-gay propaganda laws, Russia has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Europe. 1.1 million people now officially registered in a population half the size of ours. (This doesn't count those who are unregistered, so the number could be a lot larger.) * Russia continues to have the highest abortion rate in Europe second only to Romania. The more nobel elements of the Orthodox Church is desperate to reverse this. * Russia is in the midst of a major demographic crisis and the first half of 2017 alone marked one of its lowest birthrates points in a decade.

And finally: * The republics of Chechnya (ran by Putin's pal Kadyrov) and Dagestan are bastions of Islamic radicalism. * More ISIS fighters coming from Russia than anywhere else. * The most recent NYC attack was committed by a terrorist raised in the former SOVIET nation of Uzbekistan -- which remains heavily under the Russian sphere of influence.

[Jim W N]

Russia’s use of disinformation has resulted with Moscow winning undeserved favorability with conservatives, Christians, and other target demographics in the West.

The Lying Leftist media has learned well form their mentor, Russia. In the meantime, gullible is as gullible does.

[cba123]

Yet for the entire last GENERATION, every President, on the right and the left.

Has been in bed with the Chinese communists.

No conflict there.

[GoldenState_Rose]

The Providence Magazine article also gives some mention to the grotesque treatment received by the Christian minorities in annexed Crimea including by Ukrainian Orthodox (and Ukrainian Catholics.)

“Even within Eastern Orthodoxy, Orthodox Christians who don’t adhere specifically to the ROC are persecuted. A Russian court ordered for the only Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Russia to be demolished at the expense of the Ukrainian diocese, and ROC clergy condone the Kremlin’s war in eastern Ukraine as a type of “orthodox jihad” against Ukrainian Orthodox apostates who do not recognize the one true and “rightful” Eastern Orthodox patriarchate—the Moscow Patriarchate.”

[GoldenState_Rose]

Trump understands China better than any other recent American president second to Nixon. His own granddaughter is near fluent in the language. China and Russia’s “anti-Western” pact is very fragile.

[GoldenState_Rose]

Yup! that’s what’s so ironic. They are the same!

[GoldenState_Rose]

*ping*

[cba123]

I speak some Chinese. (some)

I recognize the child is mastering a complex language, so early. She is to be congratulated. But she is not the point.

We as a country, are FAR too invested in manufacturing the things we sell to Americans, in China.

All I am saying is, America as a whole, is completely sold out to China. Yet everyone is all up in arms, about RUSSIA.

We need to return American manufacturing to America.

Not China, not Russia. America.

[GoldenState_Rose]

I agree. But you don’t see the same *ideological* allegiance building among conservatives for China the way you do for Putin.

[GoldenState_Rose]

*ping*

[ilovesarah2012]

Japan is our ally.

[ilovesarah2012]

China isn’t nice to Christians.

[ETL]

Don't be fooled by outward appearances. The Russians are mighty clever when it comes to sophisticated acts of deception...

WCC welcomes meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill for unity and peace

12 February 2016

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), has issued a statement on behalf of the Council hailing the historic meeting of Pope Francis, pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, and Patriarch Kirill, primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The two leaders met on 12 February in Havana, Cuba.

The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest member church in the WCC..."

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-welcomes-meeting-of-pope-francis-and-patriarch-kirill

_______________________________________________________

Got that? The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest member of the (far left) World Council of Churches!

That is all you need to know to understand that it is a sham operation. Reverend Wright’s fake church United Church of Christ (UCC) is also a member. In fact, his (communist) “Black Liberation Theology” was concocted by the KGB.

The Russians must laugh their behinds off at how easily westerners can be tricked and deceived. They are great chess players, thinking many moves ahead of their opponents, while most of us, unfortunately, have a difficult time at simple checkers.

The Russian Orthodox Church is a member of the (communist) World Council of Churches:
https://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/russian-orthodox-church
____________________________________

From David Horowitz's FrontPageMag.com/DiscoverTheNetworks.org:
Profile: WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)

• Long-time proponent of Liberation Theology
• Infiltrated by the KGB during the Cold War
• Funded Marxist insurgent groups throughout the world
• Calls for capitalism’s “reform” according to socialist principles

  [lots more at link...]

  http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=7514

  _______________________________________________________

  August, 2006

  

  North Korea Builds an Orthodox Church

  The first-ever Russian Orthodox church will open in Pyongyang, North Korea this weekend.

  It’s an odd project considering that freedom of religion exists almost exclusively on paper in the closed communist country.

  North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il is supposed to be a communist atheist.

  So why has he made promoting the Russia Orthodox Church his latest pet project?

  On August 13, the country’s first Orthodox church is to be opened in the capital city of Pyongyang.

  Russian Metropolitan Bishop Kyrill, second in command within the Church after the Patriarch, will travel to Pyongyang to christen the new house of worship. ...”

  http://www.spiegel.de/international/kim-jong-il-and-religion-north-korea-builds-an-orthodox-church-a-431310.htm

[ETL]

Christians in Russia Refuse to Stop Sharing the Gospel Despite Putin’s Ban on Evangelism

By Stoyan Zaimov , Christian Post Reporter
Aug 3, 2016 | 1:32 PM

Christians in Russia have said they are determined to preach the Gospel and fulfill the Great Commission despite tough new laws signed by President Vladimir Putin that ban evangelism outside of churches. ...”

http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-russia-refuse-stop-sharing-the-gospel-despite-putins-ban-evangelism-167442/
_____________________________________________________

July 2016...

FAITH UNDER FIRE

Russia puts lid on Christians sharing faith

‘Will require any sharing ... even a casual conversation, to have prior authorization from state’

http://www.wnd.com/2016/07/russia-puts-lid-on-christians-sharing-faith/#34c1Fo2QT9xudcrR.99
_____________________________________________________

July 2016...

“Activities as diverse as holding prayer meetings in homes, posting worship times on a religious community’s website, and giving a lecture on yoga have all been interpreted by police and prosecutors as “missionary activity”, thanks to the broad definition now enshrined in the Religion Law.

Despite a clear predominance of prosecutions brought against those who see their faith as requiring them to publicly share their beliefs, such as Protestants and Jehovah’s Witnesses, people from at least 15 different religious traditions have faced charges.” ..."

On 6 July 2016, President Vladimir Putin signed amendments to the Religion Law imposing harsh restrictions on the sharing of beliefs, including on where and by whom they may be shared. ..."

http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2305

[GoldenState_Rose]

Is it any wonder that North Korea counts Russia and China among their two main allies?

Soviet Russia created North Korea.
China raised it.

[ETL]

Here's a post from another thread from FReeper Krosan...

Russian Orthodox Church has been ruled by the KGB and their successors for more than 50 years. Just have a look at this orthodox priest blessing a strategic nuclear bomber with a picture of sanctified Stalin.

[ETL]

http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/11/19/stalin-and-the-russian-orthodox-church/#arvlbdata

http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/11/19/stalin-and-the-russian-orthodox-church/#arvlbdata

[Architect of Avalon]

Russia has beautiful women.

Therefor, Russia is a natural ally.

Antagonism with Russia is a distraction from real enemies.

[GoldenState_Rose]

The northern part of united Korea used to be called “The Jerusalem of the East” by American missionaries (the likes of which included Billy Graham’s family) - who recounted of the Korean people’s openness to the Gospel. South Korean Christians make up the most international missionaries in the world today second only to American churches.

Is it any wonder that North Korea counts Russia and China among their two main allies?

Soviet Russia created North Korea.
China raised it.

[ETL]