Thread: Sochi Olympics and the Law against Gays in Russia +

8 “Pastafarians” Detained in Moscow During Unsanctioned "Pasta Procession" | Russia | RIA Novosti

Looks like gays are not the only ones being persecuted by the Russian Orthodox Church...

From this article:

MOSCOW, August 17 (RIA Novosti) – A “pasta procession” by the Russian followers of the not-so-serious Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was dispersed in Moscow on Saturday by riot police and Orthodox activists, the prankster movement said.

The Moscow police press service told RIA Novosti that eight “Pastafarians” were detained for "attempting to hold an unsanctioned rally."

Does anyone else agree that this is a ridiculous exercise of police power? And why do "Orthodox activists" feel like they must suppress every group that is not in lockstep with them? Isn't anyone worried about the Church having so much control over the state?

Is simply having FUN "нелзя"?

Originally Posted by Deborski

8 “Pastafarians” Detained in Moscow During Unsanctioned "Pasta Procession" | Russia | RIA Novosti

Looks like gays are not the only ones being persecuted by the Russian Orthodox Church...

From this article:



Does anyone else agree that this is a ridiculous exercise of police power? And why do "Orthodox activists" feel like they must suppress every group that is not in lockstep with them? Isn't anyone worried about the Church having so much control over the state?

Is simply having FUN "нелзя"?

The problem there is, the state has WAY TOO MUCH control over the people. Once it loses the excessive control, what Orthodox activists think will no longer matter.

Originally Posted by Deborski

Isn't anyone worried about the Church having so much control over the state?

Yeah, Russia is using the Church to control minds of the crowd, the same way the US does, that might be a bigger issue in future of the nation

Originally Posted by Deborski

And why do "Orthodox activists" feel like they must suppress every group that is not in lockstep with them?
...
Is simply having FUN "нелзя"?

There is a hidden issue here
Russian Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster chose abbreviation РПЦ - Русская Пастафарианская Церковь, the same abbreviation which describes Russian Orthodox Church - Русская Православная Церковь
I do believe that abbreviation has been chosen specifically to mock Russian Orthodox church, alas Russian nationalists are also pro-Orthodox and they don't like being mocked

Originally Posted by Doomer

Yeah, Russia is using the Church to control minds of the crowd, the same way the US does, that might be a bigger issue in future of the nation

There is a hidden issue here
Russian Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster chose abbreviation РПЦ - Русская Пастафарианская Церковь, the same abbreviation which describes Russian Orthodox Church - Русская Православная Церковь
I do believe that abbreviation has been chosen specifically to mock Russian Orthodox church, alas Russian nationalists are also pro-Orthodox and they don't like being mocked

But even if they are mocking the ROC, so what? As long as they are not vandalizing church property (as Pussy Riot did and was harshly sentenced for!) why should it matter what people say? Why is the state suddenly protecting the ROC with so much fervor?

Originally Posted by Deborski

Why is the state suddenly protecting the ROC with so much fervor?

Hm, i guess I need to write it one more time

Originally Posted by Doomer

Yeah, Russia is using the Church to control minds of the crowd, the same way the US does, that might be a bigger issue in future of the nation

Why is the state suddenly protecting the ROC with so much fervor?

Just learned the beautiful English expression: the swing of the pendulum. Маятник качнулся, and now all people who had no respect in Socialism era, suddenly are "cool". On top of that, our President is a half of our state, and he is fond of church.

Originally Posted by Doomer

Yeah, Russia is using the Church to control minds of the crowd, the same way the US does, that might be a bigger issue in future of the nation

How many in Russia are that religious? Is there any Russians here who are Orthodox Christian? Any who really practice and go to church?
I haven't met very many hard-core religious folk from Russia. The total sum is probably zero. *(Being sarcastic there: I am talking about those who I've talked to).

Originally Posted by 14Russian

How many in Russia are that religious? Is there any Russians here who are Orthodox Christian? Any who really practice and go to church?
I haven't met very many hard-core religious folk from Russia. The total sum is probably zero. *(Being sarcastic there: I am talking about those who I've talked to).

You are right. I guess there are just approx. 5% of Russian people who are Orthodox Christian, or even less. Also, maybe just 0.001% of them are really care about gays.

In Russia, this "gay" context is inspired by some political forces (including European and American), which use gays for their political purposes. I mean, as pressure upon the Government (and Putin personally).

Originally Posted by 14Russian

How many in Russia are that religious? Is there any Russians here who are Orthodox Christian? Any who really practice and go to church?
I haven't met very many hard-core religious folk from Russia. The total sum is probably zero. *(Being sarcastic there: I am talking about those who I've talked to).

You can't meet them because you are not in Russia
There are two main reasons why there are not that many hard-core Orthodox Christian immigrants
1. To immigrate you usually have to have high education. And it is proven fact (there were several studies) that the more educated group of people is, the less religious it will be. Educated person finds it hard to believe in something that is not logical
2. Russian Orthodox church is also pro-national. It's somewhat substitution for patriotism in Russia, the Church is very old and it's been always following very old traditions that kept the spirit of Russia itself for many generations. That means hard-core Orthodox believers are also would be very patriotic to the country (not to the politics but to the country itself). And true patriots just won't leave Russia