Translated material
The Vesti program insulted Pentecostals
Bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky, chairman of the Russian United Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals), has published a statement regarding the Vesti program aired on September 27 by the Rossiya state television channel. According to the bishop, many pastors and believers of churches - members of ROSHVE are outraged by the information that was heard in this program.
"Comparison by the Vesti program of religious organizations registered by the justice authorities of the Russian Federation with totalitarian, destructive occult sects is unacceptable and outrageous," the text says. The assimilation of Pentecostals to sects was perceived by believers as "an accusation that does not correspond to reality."
"The information disseminated by the Vesti program of the Rossiya TV channel not only does not correspond to reality, but also infringes on the rights and legitimate interests of believers - parishioners of Protestant religious associations," S. Ryakhovsky insists.
"We ask the state authorities and administrations, the prosecutor's office to take effective measures to protect the rights and freedoms of believers, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. We believe that such programs contribute to inciting religious hatred in Russian society and hinder the implementation of the policy of the Russian state aimed at strengthening constitutional rights and freedoms, tolerance in society," the ROSHVE leader said in a statement.
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