RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Believers need no laws to protect feelings

ORTHODOX PRIESTS IN PETERSBURG PROTEST AGAINST LAW ON HURTING BELIEVERS' FEELINGS

Rosbalt, 18 November 2016

 

Orthodox clergymen came out for a protest demonstration against the law about "offending the feelings of believers." The event took the form of individual pickets on the bank of Griboedov Canal.

 

"God is not mocked. We demand the abolition of article 148 of the Criminal Code "On offending feelings of believers," "It is impossible to hurt believers' feelings," "The Lord protects believers' feelings and not the criminal code,"—the Orthodox activists stood with such placards.

 

"I do not agree with the very fact of the existence of this article. In my view, it directly contradicts the famous gospel statement: 'Love your enemies and bless those who curse you.' In this situation there is no need for additions in the form of laws," a bishop of the Apostolic Orthodox Church, Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko, told a Rosbalt correspondent.

 

The Orthodox activist hopes that the majority of representatives of the Apostolic Orthodox Church think the same.

 

The demonstration occurred without arrests. Three persons participated in it. Police officers copied out the activists' information.

 

"Passers-by reacted well and expressed agreement with our position. Judging by the conversations, I can suppose that the greater number of them consider themselves Orthodox believers," he noted. (tr. by PDS, posted 18 November 2016)


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