UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN BAPTISTS HAVE THE SAME DOCTRINE BUT DIFFERENT ATTITUDES ON FREEDOM AND DIGNITY
by Konstantin Teteriatnikov
Interview with Igor Bandura, vice-president of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (VSTsEKhB) concerning differences between Ukrainian and Russian Baptists and the situation for believers in ATO [Anti-Terrorism Operation zone] and Crimea.
--[K.T.] Recently much has changed in Ukrainian-Russian relations: an undeclared war, annexation of Crimea, military actions in the Donbass. In your view, how has the political confrontation between the two countries affected relations between Ukrainian and Russian Baptists? Has it become clear that Ukrainian and Russian Baptists are traveling different roads of development? In your opinion, what is the difference between Ukrainian and Russian Baptists?
--[I.B.] We have become witnesses of how political discourse is able to affect relations among Christians. The degree of this effect far exceeds the limits of the permissible. Ukrainian and Russian Baptists have the same doctrine, a common history, and much in common in the practice of church life, ministry, and mission. In this sense, we are traveling the same road and we hope that God will preserve us on this road. Differences have appeared in the assessments of and reactions to political processes within our countries and in relations between our countries. The Russian brothers have not accepted the position of Ukrainian Christians in the events before, during, and after Maidan. Criticism has been voiced in violation of biblical teaching on relations of the church with bodies of government authority and involvement in politics.
The personality of Alexander Turchinov became a special irritant. Our differences were even visible here. Ukrainian churches sense more keenly the importance of personal freedom and the values of the individual, freedom of speech and religious confession, and the independence of the church from the state. Ukrainian churches more consciously accept responsibility for raising a prophetic voice in defense of the dignity of the individual, rights, and justice.
For us, the government is not a "sacred cow," and the source of authority, according to the constitution, is not the president and the government, but the people. We have a different position with regard to religious liberty and other perspectives on the development of churches.
We hope that these differences can be overcome and that continual contacts that we have will gradually help to achieve agreement in questions that are creating tensions now. We value the help of those churches in Russia who have empathized with us and we hope that our prayers, God's kindness, and generosity will lead to agreement and all the rest.
--The negative consequences of military actions in the Donbass have led to the isolation of those Baptist churches that are on occupied territories. In Donetsk province, 56 churches are located on territory that is controlled by Ukraine, and 44 churches are in the ATO zone. In Luhansk province, it is 24 and 50 churches respectively. How does the Baptist union of Ukraine maintain communication with these churches? What percentage has left for the noncombatant territory of Ukraine and how many have remained in place?
--Approximately one third of all members of churches have left the ATO zone. Despite difficulties in crossing the zone of direct military conflict, provincial associations of churches of Donetsk and Luhansk province have remained united and are under the spiritual care and direction of provincial presbyters.
A majority of churches of the Baptist brotherhood are providing continual aid to churches in the zone of humanitarian catastrophe, although it is now very difficult to deliver it. We are working through key ministers and strong churches that are located in the immediate vicinity of the line of demarcation. From time to time we conduct joint meetings and conferences for ministers of the churches. In addition, help is coming from other countries. The Russian brothers have the opportunity to visit churches on territories inaccessible to us, who cross the border which is temporarily not controlled by Ukraine, and they provide great help. We represent the interests of our churches in occupied territories at international meetings, providing information about the state of religious liberty and the plight of the people.
--What is the situation like for churches of the Ukrainian brotherhood in the autonomous republic of Crimea?
--Churches of the Crimean association work under the registration of a separate union, according to the requirement of the occupation powers of the Russian federation, and they express a desire to remain in the VSTsEKhB. As of now, not one church has received registration and therefore they are in a state of legal uncertainty with unforeseeable consequences for freedom of assembly and the right of ownership of church property.
Some churches that previously suspended membership in the VSTsEKhB association of churches declared a desire to join the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, and this permitted some of them to go through the process of reregistration.
--You have participated in various events connected with the subject of religious liberty. This topic has become especially critical in Ukraine with the start of war in the Donbass, when in occupied territories houses of worship were confiscated, Christians of the evangelical movement were persecuted, and freedom of conscience was infringed. What kind of results of international consultations, meetings, and round tables are evident now?
--From the point of view of the final result that we are striving for, here the results have been small. But there is no alternative to meetings and dialogue. As long as we are talking, we have the possibility of finding understanding and working on the resolution of the conflict. For the international community that is working within the system of coordinates of religious liberty, information from leaders of churches and religious organization about the real state of affairs is extremely important. This gives an opportunity to formulate more precise understanding of the situation and to work out adequate measures of response. The truth has a mighty force and potential, and therefore this conviction inspires us in every international meeting.
At least two reports have been composed regarding the religious situation in the ATO zone and Crimea that enumerate incidents and provide necessary information for developing the position of international bodies and their subsequent work with governments and parliaments of their countries. We are convinced that such meetings make their substantial contribution to the work of reconciliation.
--Describe in detail the London consultation devoted to the situation in Ukraine that was held in April of this year.
--The meeting in London was initiated and organized by Mission Eurasia in cooperation with representatives of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. It was held in the historic residence of the archbishop of Canterbury and it assembled representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and Europe. The main topics of the meeting were Christian solidarity, religious liberty, and sympathy in conditions of humanitarian catastrophe. The leaders of Christian confessions, pastors, theologians, and historians discussed paths to achieving understanding and reconciliation among Christians of Russia and Ukraine.
On the basis of results of the one-day meeting, all participants in the consultation signed a declaration which became yet another document that identified the movement in the direction of peace and good will of all participants. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of prayer and God's Word, and openness of all participants to discussion and mutual understanding.
--What was talked about in the meeting?
--At the meeting there were raised and discussed questions of the concept, ideology, and religious essence of the so-called "Russian World," which is the ideological platform of the conflict. Concrete examples of religious persecution were discussed, and approaches to defending rights and liberties of believers in occupied territories were worked out. A genuine picture of the humanitarian crisis in the ATO zone was presented and the need for an urgent practical response by the international community to the suffering of people was articulated.
Topics of forgiveness and possible reconciliation were also raised. Practical suggestions for strategic steps that can facilitate positive changes in the zone of conflict were voiced.
--How does the international community evaluate the situation in Ukraine? What is the reaction of Baptist churches in the West to what is happening in our country?
--It is obvious that the majority of representatives of countries and international organizations understand what is happening in Ukraine, and they share our pain. There is sufficient understanding of what Ukraine needs. There is no understanding of what to do with Russia in this situation. At the level of inter-church Ukrainian-Russian relations, the unanimous attempt to help in creating dialogue and a search for paths to forgiveness and reconciliation is evident. No one doubts the presence of a religious component in the present conflict today, and work is being done in order to minimize possible consequences of religious enmity. Baptist churches support Ukraine in prayer and provide material aid for churches in the ATO zone and among displaced persons.
For me, solidarity with Ukraine is evident. Also evident are fears and misunderstanding of how to respond adequately to another aggression by Russia in its nonchristian, noneuropean, and nondemocratic attempt to dominate politically and religiously the territory that outlines the boundaries of the so-called "Russian World." (tr. by PDS, posted 14 June 2015)
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