Daily Journal:

We invited not only scientists, but also representatives of various churches to the conference at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, so that they could talk about their experience of social service to society. The scientific community should pay more attention to real church life and explore the social nature of religion. Often no one knows at all about the social work of churches - only practical research into the social position of religious associations can change attitudes towards them. While there is fear of religion in society, they see it only as a threat.

In the absence of a culture of conversation about religion and a lack of knowledge about faith in society, including among some government officials, a new anti-religious campaign is growing, repeating in a new round the cliches of Soviet atheistic propaganda in the form of a farce. Many even Orthodox citizens are irritated by the activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and claim that they know better than Patriarch Kirill how to believe and what Orthodoxy really is. Prosecutors and police see religion as a danger and, just in case, designate organizations or religious literature as extremist based on conspiracy theories. Part of the human rights and scientific community does not recognize the right of religion, especially Orthodoxy, to be the center of public life, to be present in the army, school, media, universities, etc. They demand the expulsion of religious initiatives from the public sphere, hiding behind words about protecting the secular state.

In this situation, it is important that science does not engage in anti-clerical propaganda, but considers religion as one of the values ​​of society and illuminates the social role of religious organizations. It is necessary that the position of religious associations be heard in the media - that the voice of different religions and different Christian churches be heard, and not just the Russian Orthodox Church, which, based on its monopoly position in the media, turns out to be responsible for everything good and bad.

Finally, the state must support the social service of religious associations; their strength is at the same time the strength of civil society. In order to draw attention to the vital problems of churches, a Guild of Experts in Religion and Law was created - it is very pleasant that many scientists stated that such a Guild was needed for a long time, the very idea of ​​​​the Guild was supported by Father Vsevolod Chaplin. In his speech, he noted that he fully shares some of the ideas noted in the Declaration of the Guild of Experts on Religion and Law.