Orthodoxy has been both the solution and the problem in modern Russia. Its handling of the HIV crisis there as we speak has been dismal. The epidemic is really at a tipping point and something on the radar of a lot of Russians now. (Thank God - as it will hopefully start to turn the tide. The government is normally in denial but has started to he more open about the actual statistics in terms of registered patients...which are quite alarming.)
A lot of the pro-life momentum has been spurred by influences from the “evil” West. The pro life movement in Russia receive many of their cues from American Evangelical activists and pro-life groups in terms of how to engage the public, how to run a crisis pregnancy center, how to counsel women in abusive situations etc...and yes births finally do outnumber abortions....but still rates twice as high as they are in the U.S. even though they technically have more restrictions.
Also worth noting, on the eve of presidential “elections” in March, a few days ago at his annual press conference: Vladimir Putin confirmed his commitment to keeping abortion legal:
The 2016 Yarovaya Law banning proselytization and missionary work is justified under the guise of banning “extremists” and terrorism - and indeed there has been a crackdown on cults like Scientology, Mormonism, and Jehovahs Witnesses. Hare Krishna is also a major post-soviet phenom...but American Baptist missionaries have also been jailed/fined. And Franklin Graham cancelled a major conference in Moscow when the law passed.
And yet the Putin regime props up and funds entrenched Islamic governments in the outlying regions: like the Kadyrov regime in Chechnya - notorious for human rights abuses.
The demographic crisis means the economy is heavily reliant on the labor of Central Asian migrants - most of whom are Muslim.
So Muslims are protected more than Western Christians. I am not saying persecution is at Stalinist levels...but as with everything in Putin’s Russia - the echoes of the Soviet Union reverberate with an ever increasing crescendo.
There are many genuine people of faith in the Russian Orthodox Church. But the institution has never undergone the necessary reforms to fully divorce itself from the anti-christ nature of the State under which it operates.
And lastly: The pointing fingers at the West when its weak is a common way of deflecting attention off the massive corruptions of the State. The “spiritual values” trope deceives the outside world - and is meant to strike doubt into the sacred institutions of democracy and freedom - which Russians have struggled and failed to achieve. And above all, the hypocrisy continues to postpone the long overdue collective repentance over the evils and horrors of communism...
In today’s Russia, it is not on uncommon to see a portrait of Stalin side by side to an icon of a saint or Christ. Both are acceptable figures to be revered...
Regardless of the church one attends, we need to be lights in a very darkened world.
“” “And yet the Putin regime props up and funds entrenched Islamic governments in the outlying regions: like the Kadyrov regime in Chechnya - notorious for human rights, abuses.” “”
Do you realize what was Chechen regime before Kadyrov? What exactly ‘regime’ do you want to see in Chechnya? Please, tell us, but we want concrete answer, not your typical ‘It is up to Chechens’. You might have figured out what do they need since you are so well-informed on what they don’t need.
“” “A lot of the pro-life momentum has been spurred by influences from the “evil” West. The pro life movement in Russia receive many of their cues from American Evangelical activists and pro-life groups in terms of how to engage the public, how to run a crisis pregnancy center, how to counsel women in abusive situations etc...and yes births finally do outnumber abortions....but still rates twice as high as they are in the U.S. even though they technically have more restrictions.
Also worth noting, on the eve of presidential “elections” in March, a few days ago at his annual press conference: Vladimir Putin confirmed his commitment to keeping abortion legal:” “”
Hmm. I am sure your type would consider abortion ban another ‘human rights abuse’ worthy of another round of sanction. So-called ‘anti-gay’ laws which are everything but anti-gay or abuse were.
As for so-called Western pro-life groups surprisingly their activities were good for nothing during Yeltsyn regime when NGOs were rampant. The moment evil Putin came to power to ‘crackdown’, them abortion situation has started to improve. Yet it is nothing to see here.
“” “In today’s Russia, it is not on uncommon to see a portrait of Stalin side by side to an icon of a saint or Christ. Both are acceptable figures to be revered..” “”
Where? No photoshop please.