Fears that the anti-terrorism law signed by Putin in July could put the freedom of worship at risk are coming true. With its entry into force, life is not going to be easier for religions other than Russian Orthodox.
Law 274 on terrorism has already found victims among people who have nothing to do with terrorism. A few weeks ago Donald Ossewaarde, an American Baptist preacher who has lived for years in Russia, was arrested and fined for having organized – as he had done for years – a Bible study group at his home in a town south of Moscow. In late July Ebenezer Tuah, a Protestant student from Ghana was put in handcuffs and kept overnight in a police station, before being released with a fine of 50,000 rubles, for having rented a pool in Tver with some of his compatriots to carry out a baptism.
All due to ban on sharing religious beliefs other than at state-registered places of worship. Not even if you do it at home.
Hitting ‘foreign’ religions
The Anti-Terrorism law pokes its noses powerfully into the private lives of Russians. It requires telecom operators to retain copies of everything that citizens send with their phones, including pictures and sms. It is so pervasive that Edward Snowden – usually unwilling to criticize the country that guarantees his safety in exile – called it the “Big Brother Law“.
But when it comes to religion, the scope is even more perverse. It prohibits or restricts religious gatherings in nonregistered areas, promoting religion on the Internet and even missionary work or sharing faith without possessing certain documents. Fines go up to $ 15,000, while foreigners risk being barred from the country.
The law hits followers of “non-Russian” religions, such as Protestants, Baptists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, and maybe even Pastafarians, who usually have problems gaining state permission for churches and places of worship, and often have little choice but to gather at the homes of theirmembers.
All quiet on the other hand for the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
State Religion
And no wonder. The Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill, is hand in glove with Putin.
In recent years the political role of the Orthodox Church in Russia has become increasingly strong, and the overlap of religion and state is becoming normal. Kirill’s unconditional support of Putin’s political views and, indeed, of his own role as the undisputed leader of the country, have made the Orthodox Church a pillar of the Kremlin itself. Almost a state religion.
In his speeches Kirill does not fail to stress the primacy of moral law above state law, while recalling the connection between traditional values and the very identity of Russia. Two principles much debated among liberals, and in contrast with the Russian constitution, that states the separation between state and religion. Nevertheless, they are every day more part of Putin’s doctrine.
The new law gives another push in this direction.
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Fears that the anti-terrorism law signed by Putin in July could put the freedom of worship at risk are coming true. With its entry into force, life is not going to be easier for religions other than Russian Orthodox.
