News

Russian Orthodox Church denies criticism of U.S. State Dept, says 'religious majority' needs protection

Moscow, May 30, Interfax - The Russian Orthodox Church has responded to the report of the U.S. Department of State in which the Russian authorities are accused of encroaching on the rights of religious minorities and privileging the Russian Orthodox Church.

"Observance of people's religious freedom and the quality of regulation of relations of religious communities with the state is not limited to the criterion of the situation of religious minorities. The religious majority deserves at least the same attention in terms of protection of religious freedoms as the religious minority," Vakhtang Kipshidze, deputy head of the synodal department on liaison between the church and society and the mass media, told Interfax-Religion on Tuesday.

The authors of the U.S. report continue looking at religious situations solely through the prism of rights and preferences provided to religious minorities, he said.

"We believe that the Department of State's report remains in the narrow framework of political dogmas, which are rapidly becoming obsolete in today's world," Kipshidze said.

He also said the report "sometimes gives the impression that the new U.S. presidential administration is closer to the need to protect the rights of the majority, including the religious one, than the authors of the Department of State report." Kipshidze believes this is illustrated by U.S. President Donald Trump's public support for public organizations that oppose abortion and thus express the opinion of the majority of the Christian and non-Christian population of the country.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State released its annual report on religious freedoms around the world. Russia was again accused of detentions and fines against representatives of religious minorities suspected of extremism.

The report also said that Russia's Supreme Court had found the work of Jehovah's Witnesses to be illegal and classified the organization as extremist and that the Russian authorities had convicted and fined people for public speeches that the authorities said were insulting to believers.

It also said the Russian authorities had fined and deported foreigners engaged in religious activities, including a rabbi, four Korean Baptists, and a Pentecostal pastor from India.

Generally, according to the report, non-governmental organizations in Russia registered a reduction in the number of instances of violence associated with religious affiliation in 2017.

Print this page

Home

News

.	Customize latest news

• Al-Assad asks for Russian language teachers in Syria to counter Western culture and Wahhabism - Russian MP 20 August 2019, 15:28
• Ukraine has made a great contribution to combating antisemitism - Netanyahu 19 August 2019, 18:19
• Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church ceases to exist 14 August 2019, 20:12
• Over 60% of Russians identify as Orthodox, 1 out of every 6 is atheist - poll 14 August 2019, 13:51
• Russian Orthodox Church offers "Russian exarchate" to join it preserving its statute and traditions 12 August 2019, 15:33
• Gay couple with adopted children can't return to Russia yet - rights activists 12 August 2019, 14:53
• Zelensky discusses Crimea, Donbass with Patriarch Bartholomew 09 August 2019, 11:58
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church sees good signal in Zelensky's remarks at meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew 08 August 2019, 20:25
• Zelensky promises Patriarch Bartholomew: state won't interfere in church affairs 08 August 2019, 16:51
• Russian Jewish community leader calls news of Vilnius Synagogue closure frightening 08 August 2019, 14:31
• Vilnius synagogue closes due to local Jews' safety fears 07 August 2019, 20:39
• The battles of Stalingrad, Moscow to be depicted at facades of the main church of Russian military forces 07 August 2019, 17:25
• The Russian Orthodox Church criticizes the project of 'futuristic' church in Moscow 07 August 2019, 17:23
• Patriarch Kirill sends condolences to Trump over deadly shootings in Texas, Ohio 06 August 2019, 13:18
• U.S. consul general denies Washington's involvement in Yekaterinburg protests 05 August 2019, 18:47
• Zelensky planning to meet with Erdogan, Patriarch Bartholomew during Turkey visit 05 August 2019, 11:48
• Vatican embassy describes reports on pontiff's visit to Russia on May 9, 2020, as rumors 01 August 2019, 16:21
• Patriarch Kirill sees the threat of restricting human freedom in digital technologies 01 August 2019, 15:52
• Baikal shamans bring sheep and vodka to their gods to help extinguishing fire 01 August 2019, 15:50
• 300,000 Ukrainian Orthodox Church believers participate in the procession with cross on the Day of Russia’s Baptism 29 July 2019, 10:59
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church hopes Zelensky's anti-raiding decree will affect religious sphere 24 July 2019, 17:22
• Pope Francis of Rome congratulates Russian opera singer Svetlana Kasyan on her birthday 24 July 2019, 16:29
• Court of Appeal recognized illegal the Ukrainian state’s attempt to rename the Ukrainian Orthodox Church 24 July 2019, 13:56
• Religion section editor of Dagestani newspaper charged with financing terrorism 24 July 2019, 13:22
• The Russian Church warns that Trump's taxes on Chinese goods may lead to crisis of Christian mission in the USA 22 July 2019, 16:35
• Sagrada Familia and Notre Dame listed among five most frequently photoed sights 22 July 2019, 13:56
• "Contemporary" church to be built in the Setun valley in Moscow 22 July 2019, 11:38
• Georgian campaigners for gay propaganda ban hand out treats for signatures 22 July 2019, 11:34
• Icons presented to Putin and Lukashenko at Konevets monastery near St. Petersburg 18 July 2019, 11:58
• Russian Church hopes authorities will not impede Christianization Day procession in Ukraine 18 July 2019, 11:13

Other news