[Steve_Seattle]

At most, some conservatives have recognized that Putin has sided with the Orthodox Church against some of the social decadence of the West. And that is a fact. Whether he is sincere is another question, but based on my reading most Russians think he is.

However, that is NOT the same as defending Putin's alleged accumulation of vast wealth or his alleged murders of political opponents and critics, nor does it indicate support for this invasion.

And I remember just a few years ago when it was not considered "treasonous" to oppose American military intervention in countries that had not attacked us or our formal allies.

[Hostage]

> “Putin has sided with the Orthodox Church”

Kurill is a former operative for the Soviet KGB. He would report who was a threat to persons connected to the Kremlin.

I am Orthodox. I can tell you the Orthodox are not trusting Kuriil.

Putin could care less about ethics and morals unless there was a benefit. The benefit is it gives him a platform to garner support from Kurill’s Orthodox Bishops by appearing to hold them up as examples of Russian piety. But Orthodox Christians know Putin was a former KGB agent and is never to be trusted.

And they don’t trust Kurill.

They can’t do anything about it ecause their Church hierarchy is cemented in place by Kurill and because their elections are rigged just like they are now in the USA.

[Leaning Right]

> At most, some conservatives have recognized that Putin has sided with the Orthodox Church against some of the social decadence of the West. <

Yes, that is correct. Putin was seen as a strong traditionalist in an era of weak, sissified leaders (see photo below). That was not an unreasonable assessment. Recent events have of course shown that Putin is just another opportunistic warmonger.

[rrrod]

Good points!

[nbenyo]

My Russian Orthodox priest said Putin is mocking Orthodox Christianity yesterday. He led us in a prayer for the Ukrainians.