Representatives of the traditional faiths of Russia consider religious illiteracy a dangerous phenomenon

In the press center of the MIA Russia Today, on Wednesday, a round table "Information space was held: coverage of religious and social events." The representatives of traditional faiths participating in it emphasized that the extremely low level of religious education of Russian citizens entails an incorrect interpretation of events.

The General Secretary of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Russia, Priest Igor Kovalevsky, called the situation "simply tragic."

“This is a global problem: unfortunately, the level of religious education still leaves the best,” RIA Novosti quotes him. The priest expressed the hope that the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional religious organizations of Russia will work more actively in the field of education of the population.

Igor Kovalevsky stated that due to the incorrect understanding of the situation, false information may be widespread, just as recently in the media incorrectly interpreted the statement of the Pope about his possible resignation. Many mass media reported Pontiff's resignation, while Pope Francis only talked about the possibility that each Primate of the Catholic Church has.

In turn, the low awareness of citizens in religious issues was noted by the adviser to the spiritual department of Muslims of the city of Moscow and the central region "Moscow Muftiyat" Ildar Safargaliev. In his opinion, improper coverage of topics of such as the situation around ISIS - “gangster group that has nothing to do with Islam” leads to the fact that Islamophobia is rooted among people. Safargaliev also emphasized that often in even power structures involved in the fight against extremism, employees do not know what Islam is.

“Merible efforts are needed here. First of all, it is necessary to enlighten people who directly come into contact with our co -religionists. We all have to rally - representatives of traditional faiths, civil society and patriotic journalists,” Safargaliev believes.