Freedom of Religion or Belief in Russia

The Russian Orthodox Church has a very dark unspoken past. The Russian Orthodox Church changed many policies over the years leading to many casualties. The Russian Church to many people was a sign of fear and change they were uncomfortable with.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. The state can't compel supported religious action on its nationals by constraining them to pick amongst participation and their own particular intrinsically secured rights.

The denomination that I have chosen to research is Russian Orthodox. The reason that I chose to write on this religion is because I have been interested in learning about the Russian Orthodox religion and all that it entails. The main points of this research paper is a quick history, some of their beliefs, and how does their cross compare to the Roman Catholic cross.

Throughout Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Eastern versus Western ideas are constantly being introduced and in turn debated, sometimes violently. This being the case, it would be uncharacteristic of Dostoevsky to include such an extensive account, The Grand Inquisitor, against Christ and there not to be an East versus West theme. Eastern versus Western may be understood as Orthodox versus Roman Catholic although it is not to be restricted only within the scope of religious debates. The differences between the two are prevalent in other areas of life including: the self and social life. These topics will be discussed directly, and the foundation of each manifest themselves in multiple ways; although sublet their importance must be noted. The focus of this essay is to explore why Ivan’s inquisitor was wrong. As in many religious debates, especially concerning the Bible, differences often come subtly and may end in agreeing to disagree; although there must be a correct way of thinking. These subtle differences are—somewhat regularly—opposing beliefs concerning one word or only a few words. Yet, these differing beliefs in words and what they mean to each believer may seem insignificant to the untrained eye. But they come to define religions and societies, set ground for debates and wars, and, in the case of the Karamazov’s, split blood. Although Ivan’s Grand Inquisitor formulates a compelling argument against the actions of Christ—condemning Him for allowing

This paper argues how it was very difficult for people to survive and live peacefully in their home lands that did not allow religious freedom. Some were mistreated and harshly abused all due to the fact that they didn’t follow a certain religion, think, or live like a specific religions manner. People can not live with tribulations as harsh as these for the rest of their lives, people were going to start moving or strongly pushing for reform. Many left and settled elsewhere to gain what they had been fighting for, religious freedom.

Bruno Bauer is wrong in writing about the lack of importance of religion in a secular state. He believes secular state is not against religion, and then shifts back to the question of political emancipation and says that even if people will become “politically” free in such state, they are still bound by the economic inequality. This idea resembles one of Mill about the equality of individuals and we see how they agree on a point that everyone should be equal, regardless any private

On April 8, 1929, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) came forward with their Criminal Code of the RSFSR which laid out how religious entities would be like as Stalin came into prominent power. The first tenant of the code showed the theme of the new direction of religion under Stalin. “…The separation of the church from the state and of the school from the church shall apply to churches, religious groups, movements, trends and all other associations for religious worship of all denominations.” Secularism was the new way a life in the USSR as the church went away from the Orthodox teachings of the past. The code also goes into how religious societies or groups had to register and could be a part of more than one of these societies or groups. These groups also could not practice their religion without permission, couldn’t collect donations, and if liquidated, a church would have to give up items of value to the state. This goes on for sixty-six adjustments to society and religion’s role within it.

The ideological objective at the beginning was to demolish the Orthodox Church, but later this ideology was applied toward all organized religions. Confiscation of the church property, harassment of believers, punishment of clergy and promotion of atheism in the schools were forms of interventions adopted the Soviets. Although, most organized religions were never outlawed, nevertheless religion was frown upon and the government determined actions toward particular religions. People were allowed to attend church, but the churches were only allowed to conduct religious rites. The government banned religious publication, organized charity, and religious schools and the churches were under a strict surveillance.

The thesis of Kirby's excellent introduction is that the Cold War was one of history's great religious wars, 'a global conflict between the god-fearing and the godless'. (p. 1) It was a war in which 'Christianity was appropriated by Western propagandists and policy-makers for their anti-communist arsenal' (p. 2), nowhere more so than in the USA. But in addition, as this volume demonstrates, Christianity was not simply a tool of psychological warfare. Church leaders were not merely pawns in a political game; they were active participants. Their flocks were not only recipients of propaganda; for millions religious faith was central to their lives. This fact is most vividly demonstrated in the several chapters that deal with the Catholic Church

Orthodox Christian religious education is compulsory in public schools, while the constitution bans proselytizing by other faiths. Greek Orthodox Church officials exercise their legal power to prevent the state from recognizing Dodecatheon as a "religion." This seemingly bureaucratic designation means followers are legally prevented from building a temple, opening an office, or worshiping at their holy

Dr. Catriona Kelly, a professor of Russian at the University of Oxford, provides in her newest work, Socialist Churches: Radical Secularization and the Preservation of the Past in Petrograd and Leningrad, 1918-1988, a vastly detailed and researched insight into the history of churches, mainly referring to churches as referring to the physical structure rather than churches as a religious organization, and their existence within the atheistic Soviet Union situated in Petrograd and later Leningrad. Dr. Kelly presents the history of these “former churches” and “cultic buildings,” as they were classified under the Soviet state, through the struggle and contradictions between preservation as museum pieces and works of art of the past and liquidation, aiming to strip these churches bare of their religiosity, as not only

In Russia religion's influence was much different. There wasn't much influence at all in the period of 1815 to 1919. Czar Alexander proposed the Holy Alliance under which monarchs would pledge themselves to rule according to Christian teachings; here alot of them didn't have any sincerity, especially Alexander. Religion also intensified things as in France, Russia decided to intervene when the Greeks revolted against the Turks, claiming the need to protect fellow Christians from the Muslims. Russia has been Communist for a very long time already, and as such they are atheistic and they also persecuted organized religion as a rival for the people's loyalty. But since the collapse of Communist for reasons other than religion, it has allowed churches to practice freely, like the Russian Orthodox, have shown a surprising amount of popular support.

It is special the way Russian religion was establishing through political individuals sacred belief. For example, when Russia has practiced paganism during several years. Until they forcefully were converted into Christian. Russia followed a religion called pagan. Paganism was based on believing in many gods. After communism terminated that caused people turning into atheism. In 1911, the revival of the orthodox Christian church started, it was unique because because its love for the poor and mercy. (pag.24). Until nowadays orthodox church is the largest religion in Russia.

61-62). This is done by petitioning one’s idea of self-identity and loyalty, by assigning value to a cause, and by valorising “the participation in the service of the sacred” (Marietta, 2012, p. 62). Participation in politics between Ukraine and Russia in 2013 to now (2016) has gained an element of sacredness, which has employed Orthodox ambient faith to influence many to such political action (Shterin, 2016). By giving particular value to political causes, elevating them above the ordinary, and appealing to our sense of identity, political movements that utilise the concept of sacredness are legitimised to individuals and organisations and spur action on their

Thus, throughout history, religion has played an immense role within Russia