The Russian Goverment Could Make it Illegal to Insult Someone from Another Faith

Russia (MNN) ― Traditional religious leaders and lawmakers in
Russia are touting a proposed new law that could require a 3-year prison
sentence for insulting the religious feelings of believers and
vandalizing holy sites. However, bloggers and opinion columnists across
the country believe the law will only make religious freedom more
difficult, especially for evangelical Christians.

Mission Network News caught up with Wally Kulakoff Russian Ministries
in Moscow. He says he’s concerned for one important reason. He says
the Duma has openly proclaimed that there are only four traditional
religions in Russia. “That’s orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.
And if you say anything contrary to, or against. then you are insulting
the four traditional religions of the former Soviet Union. What place do
Protestants have in the former Soviet Union?”

Kulakoff says evangelical Christians insult many when they say God had a
Son. “He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Islam says that they have a god who does not have a son, and anyone who
claims God had a son has no right to live on this earth. Now, who is
insulting who?”

Many who oppose the law believe this only opens Pandora’s box. Kulakoff
says, “Non-traditional religion in Russia with be chastised, prohibited,
[and] will have to go underground. There will be no room for the
Protestant church.”

Russian Ministries School Without Walls program is discipling
next-generation church leaders — young people who are already leaders
in their community. If this law is passed and it’s interpreted harshly,
Kulakoff says, “Then School Without Walls goes underground and will
continue to have an impact, but in another form. Rather than openly,
it’ll be more excluded and secluded.”

This law could have far-reaching impact. Kulakoff says the greatest
insult to the Orthodox Church is to have a Bible translation that they
didn’t authorize. “That means Russia will say you can only use one
Bible; then, the more modern, the more contemporary translations will be
illegal.”

In the meantime, Kulakoff and other Christians in the former Soviet
Union are asking you to pray that the law would fail. They’re also
asking you to support their work, not only with your prayers but your
financial support.

You can support Russian Ministries School Without Walls program by clicking here.

Source: Mission Network News

2012-09-29 18:45:24

Source: http://www.persecutionblog.com/2012/09/the-russian-goverment-could-make-it-illegal-to-insult-someone-from-another-faith.html