Russia ‘slipping back to what it was before’

MOSCOW — A Russian “anti-extremism” law that went into effect in late July may have a bigger impact on Christians in the country than extremists.

The law was reportedly created to combat the Islamic State, The Christian Post reported, but many religious liberty advocates believe it instead targets Christian denominations unaffiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Faith McDonnell, director of religious liberty programs at the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington said, “The law doesn’t do that much to defend from terrorism and only prevents Christians and others who are not Orthodox from preaching and proselytizing.”

Under the new law, missionaries from other cuntries will not be able to speak at churches without a work permit from Russian authorities, religious activities even in homes are not allowed and a discussion about God with nonbelievers is considered a missionary activity and punishable by law, according to The Christian Post. “Every citizen is required to report religious activity to the authorities or face punishment him or herself,” the law states.

The law also grants state security agencies access to private communications, authority to monitor Christian proselytizing online and also forces telecom companies to store phone conversations, texts and videos for six months and forward that data to the government.

McDonnell said, “Russia is slipping back to what it was before.” (TAB)