Post: #1

Vladimir Putin has apparently signed a law that restricts evangelizing, especially for foreigners.

http://www.charismanews.com/world/58295-...cution-law

Quote:Furthermore, Great Commission Ministries Chairman Hanny Haukka tells Charisma News the law entails:

Foreign guests are not permitted to speak in churches unless they have a "work permit" from Russian authorities

If a friend or relative from outside Russia wishes to share his/her faith in your home the guest will be fined and expelled from Russia.

Any discussion of God with non-believers is considered missionary activity and will be punishable.

Missionary activity will be permitted by special government permission. Example: If one traveling on a train shares his faith without written permission the offender will be taken into police custody for the duration of the journey and will be fined 50,000 rubles ($1,000).

Offenders from the age of 14-years-old will be subject to prosecution

Religious activity is no longer permitted in private homes. Most churches in Russia meet in homes.

Every citizen is obligated to report religious activity of neighbors to the authorities. Failure to be an informant is punishable by law.

One may pray and read the Bible at home but not in the presence of a non-believing person. You will be breaking the law and be punished.

If the church has purchased property it cannot be converted into a place of worship.

In church buildings, it is not permitted to invite people to turn to God. Worship services are permitted but making a non-believer a follower of Christ is against the law.

In response, thousands of churches across the country have come together to cry out to God.

"The church is appalled at the news of the new law. About 7,000 evangelical/protestant churches are in fasting and prayer at the moment over the news," Haukka tells Charisma News via email.

Churches aren't the only residents enraged by the law.

American refugee Edward Snowden tweeted: "#Putin has signed a repressive new law that violates not only human rights, but common sense. Dark day for #Russia."

My first thought was that this may be about reducing foreign influences on Russia, since Russia has had trouble from Soros-backed groups and "charities" before, and has restricted them as well. According to other sources there are also some anti-terror aspects to the law that allow for increased surveillance of private communications.

Still, this a very strange thing to hear. Although it's possible that the info may be from a biased source, I don't really like the sound of it. Any thoughts?

Post: #2

Quote:American refugee Edward Snowden tweeted: "#Putin has signed a repressive new law that violates not only human rights, but common sense. Dark day for #Russia."

How much longer does Snowden have to live?

Post: #3

Is this real? One of the Russian government's biggest supporters is the Orthodox Church. Or is this just about non-Orthodox faiths?

Post: #4

(07-12-2016 02:12 PM)Lunostrelki Wrote:  Is this real? One of the Russian government's biggest supporters is the Orthodox Church. Or is this just about non-Orthodox faiths?

IIRC it is mostly against the evangelist churchs.

Post: #5

(07-12-2016 02:12 PM)Lunostrelki Wrote:  Is this real? One of the Russian government's biggest supporters is the Orthodox Church. Or is this just about non-Orthodox faiths?

Just about non-Ortodox.

My thoughts on it: Russians can do whatever they want, it is their country.
I have no problem if crazy sects (many protected in the West under the "freedom of religion" umbrella) stay out of the country.
FSB is already doing a great job raiding American Missionaries (or agents or whatever you want call them) of the Scientology. Russian doesn't need it IMO.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/j...rch-police

Post: #6

This limits the Mormons preaching (USA influence) and indirectly Saudi Arabia (Islam) from sending preachers. Putin wants to protect Russian culture. Culture > religion. There is more than meets the eye here.

As for Snowden, who cares what he thinks about another countries religious laws. He is an expert in another area. His visa is extended to 2017. I doubt it will be extended after he opened up his big mouth. He should be thankful for Russia and keep his criticism to himself.

Putin is former KGB. He sees the various indirect influences others have trying to penetrate Russia. Keep religion private.

Post: #7

Yeah, this article failed to mention that this really only targets the "unofficial" religions of Russia. Makes things easier for the government to control, but it's definitely a massive violation of religious rights. Another reason why Russia sucks, just in different ways from the West.

Post: #8

After being harassed on the buses by Mormons, shouted at on the streets by Christian preachers and had several Korans thrust in my direction by Muslim street hawkers, I would give thanks for such a law over here.

Post: #9

Praetor, based on your England flag flair I assume you are there, are there actually lots of Mormons missionaries in the UK and Europe? And even Russia? I knew Mitt Romney and also Elizabeth Smart (that girl who was kidnapped and abused for months until her sister remembered that it was a labourer who kidnapped her) went to France for missions.

All the Mormons I know went to South America for their missions, I figure because the Catholic poverty there led to people susceptible to conversion. Wonder if they have any luck in more secular Europe... Either way color me shocked!

Post: #10

This limits the Mormons preaching (USA influence) and indirectly Saudi Arabia (Islam) from sending preachers. Putin wants to protect Russian culture. Culture > religion. There is more than meets the eye here.

As for Snowden, who cares what he thinks about another countries religious laws. He is an expert in another area. His visa is extended to 2017. I doubt it will be extended after he opened up his big mouth. He should be thankful for Russia and keep his criticism to himself.

Putin is former KGB. He sees the various indirect influences others have trying to penetrate Russia. Keep religion private.

Post: #11

(07-12-2016 03:20 PM)komatiite Wrote:  Praetor, based on your England flag flair I assume you are there, are there actually lots of Mormons missionaries in the UK and Europe? And even Russia? I knew Mitt Romney and also Elizabeth Smart (that girl who was kidnapped and abused for months until her sister remembered that it was a labourer who kidnapped her) went to France for missions.

All the Mormons I know went to South America for their missions, I figure because the Catholic poverty there led to people susceptible to conversion. Wonder if they have any luck in more secular Europe... Either way color me shocked!

I knew mormons in college who went on mission to places like Kazakhstan, and apparently there was a fairly substantial support structure for them in the region. One thing that comes to mind as to why people might prefer SA is it's quite a bit easier to learn passable Spanish or Portuguese than Russian.

Post: #12

(07-12-2016 01:46 PM)Samseau Wrote:  

Quote:American refugee Edward Snowden tweeted: "#Putin has signed a repressive new law that violates not only human rights, but common sense. Dark day for #Russia."

How much longer does Snowden have to live?

He's a fucking cuck and a traitor:

   

I've been on the fence about him in the past as I supported some of his releases. But it seems he's gone complete SJW since plus he just bit the hand that feeds him (Putin). He's an extremely smart guy but he knows no loyalty. Sanctimonious assholes like that (i.e. public personalities) are so in love with their public image that their quest becomes all about them. Intellectually that puts them into a pretty tight box and that's exactly where he's going to find himself physically as well very soon.

I hope his visa gets canceled and they put him on a plane to Virginia.

Post: #13

(07-12-2016 03:20 PM)komatiite Wrote:  Praetor, based on your England flag flair I assume you are there, are there actually lots of Mormons missionaries in the UK and Europe? And even Russia? I knew Mitt Romney and also Elizabeth Smart (that girl who was kidnapped and abused for months until her sister remembered that it was a labourer who kidnapped her) went to France for missions.

All the Mormons I know went to South America for their missions, I figure because the Catholic poverty there led to people susceptible to conversion. Wonder if they have any luck in more secular Europe... Either way color me shocked!

I've encountered several and there are at least two of their churches I pass on a regular basis.

They used to stop passers-by on the street but recently they've taken to bothering people on the bus.

Post: #14

Doesn't sound credible to me, in a way it was presented in this article. I wouldn't be surprised he was going after foreing and domestic evangelicals, particularly after witnessing their stubborn pro-western position in Ukraine. Putin never forgets or misses to settle scores over stuff like that.