THE NEW RUSSIAN LAW AGAINST MISSIONARY WORK

 

First Deputy Chief Bishop - Member of the Expert Council of the State Duma Committee on Public Associations and Religious Organizations, Bishop Konstantin Bendas explains the provisions of the Federal Law "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On Countering Terrorism "and certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation regarding the establishment of additional measures countering terrorism and ensuring public safety" (No. 374-F3 dated July 6, 2016):

 

"New amendments to the Federal Law" On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations "for the first time introduced such a concept as "missionary activity".

Missionary activity is the public activity of a religious association aimed at outside non-church people with the aim of involving them in the activities of a religious association.

The law does not in any way prohibit missionary activity, but imposes certain new requirements on missionaries by calling.

So, in accordance with the letter of the law, he "does not encroach" in any way "on personal evangelism and, in accordance with the Federal Law" On Freedom of Conscience "and the Constitution of the Russian Federation, I can" still freely share and spread my religious views. " But the law regulates religious activities aimed at involving people in a religious organization or group on behalf of the organization. In this case, the preacher must have some kind of document and be ready to present it.

 

What could it be?

 

1. An official document of a religious organization confirming that he is its leader.

2. A document certifying that he is a clergyman.

3. It can be a document certifying that you are a member of some collegial body of the church: church council, pastor council, elders council, council of elders, or something else that defines our charter or internal definitions.

4. It can be a direct document authorizing to engage in missionary activities on behalf of a religious organization.

 

In the case of a religious group, only one document is possible, confirming the authority to engage in missionary activities on behalf of a religious group, issued, so to speak, by some council of this religious group".

 

 

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     What is this law in fact?

 

   This is a restriction on freedom of speech and freedom of conscience (everything that is against the government and the ROC - Russian Orthodox Church is "terrorism").

 

   MISSIONARY - is the propaganda of your faith or involvement in your faith. This means that youth and medical missionary activities can be banned.

 

   It is believed that only a religious association can preach, and not an individual person.

 

   Nothing is allowed except preaching your own creed. For example, electives of Christian morality and ethics, and generally theological discussion in general, are prohibited if the listeners do not belong to this faith.

 

   The preacher must have a document that he (at least one):

 

- community leader

- clergyman

- member of the community council

- authorized by the organization, if the private

   Do NOT preach or invite others in your meetinghouses, only in rented premises. The company must have a permit. Preaching at home is also regulated.

 

   Also online preaching is restricted and permission is required.

 

   It is considered missionary to invite at a certain time to a certain place. The article is vague, so you can ban a group or meeting at home.

 

   The law, apparently, does not apply to the ROC - Russian Orthodox Church (there are church services inside, and the sermons of priests, and all the rituals, etc., and different people come there, including unbaptized and atheists). And the priests also teach the lessons of the Law of God in schools.

 

   There are separate norms for missionary work for foreigners and for the distribution of literature.

 

   So, all this is needed by the ROC so that they do not teach and preach differently from them!