Translated material
The clergy commented on the idea of introducing the post of Commissioner for the Rights of Believers
On May 22, 2015 Regions.ru published a selection of opinions clergy on the proposal of a deputy of the Legislative Assembly Petersburg Vitaly Milonov to establish in Russia the post of Commissioner for the affairs of the believers. Most of the respondents were in favor of this initiative. skeptical.
Two of the respondents positively perceived the idea of Milonov Orthodox priests. Deputy Head of the Sector of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement institutions , Archpriest Alexander Dobrodeev compared faith with a reserve, which needs to be protected from poachers, or with works stored in the museum art in need of protection. Faith, "the main value of our country and our people" , in his opinion, should "supervise a special person or structure" - "otherwise trampled . "
The priesthood for such an ombudsman is not obligatory, but desirable, because in this case, he "will work better" : "The priest become not so easy, the selection is serious. Therefore, such a person and with a position ” the ombudsman will do well .
Dean of Psychology Faculty of the Orthodox Institute of St. John the Theologian of Russia Orthodox University priest Peter Kolomeytsev believes that the authorized person should be "an educated person who appreciates traditional culture” , but the main thing is “that a person does not proceed from his own ideas about what is good or bad for the one he protects, but for the sake of the one whom protects . "
The priest fears that with the new Ombudsman, happen, as often, in his opinion, happens in human rights practice: “Wrong people defend rights that are really important to people, and those that are important in the opinion defenders . " “For example, I don’t need the rights to same-sex marriage or euthanasia, but someone is ready to defend these my rights with all their might. Similarly, representatives of juvenile justice better than children and parents know what children need, considering: a full refrigerator is more important than parents ,” said Fr. Peter.
The rest of the interviewed Orthodox priests are more cautious accepted the idea of introducing a new position. Rector of the Saransk Theological School Archpriest Alexander Pelin considers Milonov's initiative "not the worst" , but in at the same time, “I’m not entirely sure of the usefulness of this kind of work . ” First, he thinks he, the Interreligious Council of Russia should “recommend some a uniform form of a committee or commission that will be responsible in the regions for interaction with religious organizations” : “Until this happens, there will be no nothing good or good . "
Head of Religious Department education and catechesis of the Yekaterinburg diocese, Archpriest Alexy Kulberg also considers the idea of a St. Petersburg deputy "interesting" , but fears repetition of the Soviet experience, when "in most cases, authorized for religious affairs became "commissioners for the persecution of believers" in the country .
Vice-chairman Synodal Missionary Department Abbot Serapion (Mitko) agrees with the fact that the rights of believers of "traditional" religions are not always possible to defend, since "religious organizations are limited by the current legislation and the system judiciary" . But the introduction of the emergence of the commissioner for the rights of believers, according to in his opinion, will not solve this problem: “For example, it is not clear how empowered if the rights of believers of one traditional denomination are violated " believers of another .
Therefore, the priest believes, before introducing a new position, a public discussion should be held, first of all, “learn the opinion of the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church and representatives of other traditional confessions " , and then “to involve representatives of the Church in the development of the legal basis for the activities proposed institute .
Head of the Diocesan department for interaction between the church and society of the Oryol diocese priest Andrey Mikhalev is convinced that there is no need to create an additional organ, the idea Milonova - “ill-conceived” : “We have someone to protect the rights of believers, and they are being defended." In his opinion, “what is needed is not the protection of believers, but something like censorship in the media, in art - then there will be neither "darkness" nor debauchery .
Head of Department for interaction with medical institutions of the diocese of Orsk, Priest Vyacheslav Kochkin also suggests "refraining from introducing this position" : "The path Mr. Milonov is not afraid for us - Orthodox believers are able to protect their rights through existing legislation. And who can infringe on my rights as a believer?” As an example of defending your rights an Orthodox priest cites the incident with "Pussy Riot" .
In addition, o. Vyacheslav does not agree with the words of the deputy about that the church is "one of the most defenseless institutions of society . " "Church the most viable, sustainable organization in the world, which despite that lives, and even "the gates of hell will not prevail against her." What does "we are defenseless" mean? WITH us God. Approaching this issue from a secular point of view, I think, is not quite right ,” the priest is convinced.
Representatives of Islam were divided in opinion. The president International Islamic Mission Shafig Pshikhachev believes that in creating such position is not necessary, since “the rights of believers in Russia are very vigorously and competently defended by representatives of the religious denominations themselves . More he sees as a reasonable solution the creation of an "expert group on the topic of prevent unlawful prohibition of religious literature or religious attributes, or to analyze certain events from the point of view of morality .
Head of the One Spiritual Abdurrauf Zabirov , on the contrary, is sure that the post the new Ombudsman "needed to preserve the spiritual bonds" . Not necessary, so that it is occupied by a clergyman, “so that they don’t say that he is lobbying interests of the Orthodox or Muslims" , but "it must be a specialist with serious education in the field of public law and social relations. He must know the history of the state and traditional religions .
The clergyman is convinced that the current foreign policy problems in our country due to the fact that "Russia defends its traditions . " Except In addition, “a huge number of sects are coming to Russia, there is a strong Wahabization. Let the aggression be secret so far, but the interests of traditional confessions are already being infringed in Volga region" . These problems, according to A. Zabirov, should be solved by a new authorized.
Representatives of Jewish organizations were also not unanimous. Chairman of the local Jewish religious organization of Orthodox Judaism of the city of Orel "Center "Shalom"" Semen Livshits allows the introduction of a position Commissioner for the Rights of Believers, but notes that "this is not a panacea" and "need a trial time to make sure: this person really stands up for the rights of believers of one or another traditional denomination .
The chairman of the religious organization of Orthodox Judaism "Petrozavodsk Jewish Religious community” Dmitry Tsvibel is sure that such a position is not needed at all. The only one of those interviewed, he asks the question, “what to do with an unbeliever, who will protect his rights? Suppose he walks down the street, and on every corner sees the image of the cross. He may say that it hurts his feelings - and it will be impossible to object to him, and agree with him too .
D. Zvibel reminds that one must be very careful with statements of some citizens about insulting their feelings: “We live in a society multi-confessional, so everyone should have their own "brakes". No need indulge in manifestations of "excessive sensitivity." This is no sensitivity, but the most ordinary speculation .
Sources
- Do Believers Need a Commissioner: Opinions of the Clergy // Regions.ru. 2015. May 22.