This week, Russian president Vladimir Putin approved a package of anti-terrorism laws that usher in tighter restrictions on missionary activity and evangelism.
Despite prayers and protests from religious leaders and human rights advocates, the Kremlin announced Putin’s approval yesterday. The amendments, including laws against sharing faith in homes, online, or anywhere but recognized church buildings, go into effect July 20.Further, Russians are required "to report religious activity to the authorities, or face punishment him or herself."
Senator Ben Sasse spoke out against the new law.
Edward Snowden has also openly criticized it even though he fears retaliation.
Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the mega First Baptist Church in Dallas, did take time this month to stand up for Roger Ailes (let go from Fox for sexual harassment), but no time to comment about Russian shut down of Christian evangelism.
Jerry Falwell, Jr., President of Liberty University, has time to exult in the possibility that U.S. churches won't lose tax exemption by endorsing political candidates, but zero concern on Russian churches losing the right to openly share about Jesus.
Even Franklin Graham, whose father was the most famous evangelist of the 20th century, is upset about Target's bathroom policy but not a word about Russia prohibiting public and private evangelism outside churches.
Big exception to evangelical lack of interest is Dr. Russell Moore (here too).
It's heartbreaking that this is what major evangelical leaders are becoming under the sway of Donald Trump. Everything is egocentric. As Falwell Jr. has said:
I think the security of the country, the economy, maybe next time [evangelicals] will be looking at social issues more like they did in the past. But I think this time, I heard a very prominent pastor . . . tell me just this week that if we don’t save the country then abortion, traditional marriage, all those social issues are going to be a moot point.Hundreds of thousands of babies will be slaughtered this year in the U.S. and 143 million Russians are stripped of the right to share their beliefs, but only U.S. security and a good economy matter to leading evangelicals. Tragic.
6 comments:
I'll tell you right up front, TD: I don't care for evangelicals; I think they're counterproductive and ultimately alienate more people than they "bring into the fold", as it were.
That noted, I agree that the Russian rules overstep the bounds of common sense and basic decency. And that the "leaders" in current American religious circles decline to speak up regarding any travesty is telling.
I'm an evangelical, and I'm ashamed of them. I appreciate your views, Max, as they come from a deep morality informed by conscience and common sense (the good kind not the current "conservative" kind of common sense which means whatever gets to the goal regardless of how unconstitutional or unethical it is). A lot of people I used to have some regard for have dropped off the "good insight" list.
Thanks for taking time to comment and think about this issue which affects a goodly chunk of 143 million people but no major leader really cares.
No offense intended, TD. I respect your views and the wisdom that you so often bring to the table, and my remark was not meant as a blanket condemnation of religious perspectives - rather a reflection of occasional interactions with street preachers (which may be an entirely different thing, but they call themselves evangelicals).
Personally, I am not religious. I have been through the Presbyterian/Episcopalian/Baptist/Catholic things and found all wanting, though there are good people to be found in all, as there are in most who adhere to specific beliefs. This does not mean that I'm agnostic - I fail to understand how one can absorb many of the wonders that surround us while refusing to consider that the hand of an intelligent designer may have been involved, for example.
That said, I try to use the gifts that I've been given to their fullest. I don't always succeed by any means, but I don't stop trying because to do so would be to admit defeat, and that's not in the plan. We seem to be on similar pages, if from different angles.
No offense taken. On the contrary, I appreciate your perspective. Maybe because we agree so often. Heh! But, also because you help me think better. Thanks, Max!
Actually, I thank you, TD. I appreciate your views greatly, as they help broaden my own perspective.
I am in your debt, as I suspect I gain more from you than you from me.
You are a good, generous man, Max! Thank you for your kind thoughts. I hold you in high esteem.
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