Faith

Russian Orthodox Church Leader Pushes for Nationwide ‘Gay Propaganda’ Ban

MOSCOW (The Blaze/AP) — A leading official in the Russian Orthodox Church has urged federal lawmakers to adopt a bill outlawing what he called the promotion of homosexuality among minors. This “gay propaganda” ban would expand similar regulations that are already in place in local areas within Russia.

Russian Orthodox Church Leader Pushes for Gay Propaganda Ban | Father Dmitry Pershin

Similar legislation approved late February in the country’s second largest city, St. Petersburg, mandated fines of up to $33,000. The New York Times has more about the previous legislation that was passed:

The law…appears to be a reaction to increasingly vocal efforts by gay rights groups, particularly in St. Petersburg and Moscow, to attract attention to the issue. [...]

Under the new law, which passed 29 to 5, “public actions directed at the propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism among minors” will be punishable with fines…The law defines propaganda of homosexuality as “the targeted and uncontrolled dissemination of generally accessible information capable of harming the health and moral and spiritual development of minors,” particularly that which could create “a distorted impression” of “marital relations.”

Father Dmitry Pershin, head of the church’s youth council, said Monday in a statement that the law should be applied nationwide “without delay.”

Russian Orthodox Church Leader Pushes for Gay Propaganda Ban | Father Dmitry PershinGay rights activists say the law could be used to ban any public demonstrations by Russia’s embattled gay and transgender community.

Interfax has more about the debate and what proponents and opponents have to say about the controversial proposal:

“The law passed in St. Petersburg will help protect children from information manipulations by minorities promoting sodomy,” Hieromonk Dimitry (Pershin), an expert with the State Duma committee on family, women and children, said in an interview with Interfax-Religion commenting on the reports saying that St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko has signed amendments to the city law On Administrative Violations Envisioning Liability for Propaganda of Homosexuality and Pedophilia Among Minors.

“The persistence of sexual minorities and their intention to rally near children’s establishments indicate that this regional law is highly needed and should be urgently given federal status. However, it’s the job of State Duma deputies,” Hieromonk Dimitry said.

Gay pride parade organizer Nikolay Alexeyev earlier said sexual minorities intended to hold protest rallies near some children’s establishments in St. Petersburg to protest the law.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1993, but anti-gay sentiments remain strong. The Orthodox Church, which was heavily suppressed in Soviet times, has exercised a growing influence on public policy in Russia.

Comments (56)

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  • APD847
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:18am

    http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/sex-crimes-may-become-disorders-in-revamp-20120228-1u14p.html
    Think Western culture cannot stoop any lower? Check out this attempt to redefine certain sex crimes and predilections – e.g., attraction to prepubescent children – as a medical disorder.

    Folks, this is what happens when a culture abandons God’s Word on matters of morality and keeps the mere husk of a feel-good philosophy.

    Report Post » APD847  
  • APD847
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:12am

    http://conservapedia.com/Homosexual_agenda

    THIS is a must-have resource when you combat the liberal homosexuality defenders.
    It draws evenly resourced comments from homosexuals as well as heterosexuals about the agenda of the homosexual community to push onto American children in tax-supported schools.

    Report Post » APD847  
  • tamara13
    Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:31pm

    I stand with the good Father and I commend him for his brave stance in a society that is quickly resembling the one for which his and my family fleed from. I stand with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church and the State of Israel. And I have a feeling that the longer this administration is in office I will be adding to that list! And how sad is that.

    Report Post » tamara13  
  • look73
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:58pm

    В России геев даже в армию не берут)

    Report Post » look73  
    • strewth_cobber
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:01pm

      G’day from the Great South Land of the Holy Cross!

      For the benefit of those who may not speak/read/write Russian language, here is the translation in English/American/Australian of LOOK73′s comment (albeit by a grandchild of Russian Aussies):

      “In Russia, even the army takes gays”.

      * ‘Strewth’ = is Aussie slang for ‘God’s Truth’.
      ** ‘Cobber’ = is Aussie for ‘good, loyal friend’!

      Maranatha!

      Report Post »  
    • strewth_cobber
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:43am

      CORRECTION:

      RE: earlier translation, should read as

      “In Russia, even the army DOES NOT take gays”

      OOOps… Yolki Polki!! Apologies to those who may have been offended due to this translator‘s neglect of including the critical words ’does not’!!! Thank you, and have a happy day (as opposed to a gay one)!

      Report Post »  
    • MyshkaVik
      Posted on April 4, 2012 at 11:45am

      You made a mistake darling, in Russia even army Does Not take gays.

      Report Post »  
  • LydiaLydia
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:19pm

    Homosexuality is abhorrent on every level. If it were normal it wouldn’t have been given a second thought from the beginning of mankind. The fact it is abnormal is why it is even an issue at all. One generational self extinction because same sex cannot produce is not normal in any form of life.

    Report Post »  
  • catholicschoolmom
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 3:53pm

    If everyone was a homosexual, it would be the end of the human race.

    Report Post » catholicschoolmom  
  • texasderek
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:27pm

    I love all the people who I know that are homosexuals…. but I despise the sickness of homosexuality.
    One day it will be okay for people to have 40 wives or husbands and to marry their sister or brother or mother…. This sickness and decay of moral fiber knows no end as long as people accept this as okay and not as a disease of the mind and soul.

    Report Post » texasderek  
    • Wayner
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 2:01pm

      God says it’s an abomination and a sin,,,, case closed.

      Report Post »  
    • strewth_cobber
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Give it time, mate… These days, the government is deciding (usually without consent from the Citizenry) of what is ‘best for the people’ (everything from what is safe/recommended to eat to ‘you must not say that as you may offend someone’s sensibilities’ [with the truth]. If certain ‘minorities’ (who nowadays seem to hold sway over ‘majorities’) don’t get their way, eventually, with regard to the marriage issue, the government will outlaw marriage altogether so as to appear to be fair – that and combined with high rate of divorce, domestic violence and other ‘excuses’ financial burden et cetera. Or perhaps, sooner or later, they may even decide who you can marry or not – sort of like the one-child limit birth policy in China… (forgive my being ‘over-cynical’ !!) lol

      Report Post »  
  • cherishedemblems
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:10pm

    There just aren’t that many gay people. Look at all statistics of how many gay people you have in public office, in the military, in everyone the percentage is LOWER than 4%. It’s just not true that 19% are gay! It’s a lie. And when people lie about one thing they will lie about everything!!

    Report Post »  
    • xyfbx
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 5:28pm

      good post

      Report Post »  
    • strewth_cobber
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:32pm

      “Statistically, 73.4879% of statistics are, statistically speaking, incorrect, statistically!”

      Report Post »  
  • GKS
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:00pm

    It is true that the Orthodox Church considers the homosexual act to be one of the most serious sins. What is hypocritical about this announcement of the patriarch is that his own bishops and clergy are full of practicing homosexuals even from the Soviet days when they could be blackmailed into compliance by the KGB or were themselves KGB agents like the patriarch’s predecessor(s). News articles in Moscow and Petersburg regularly deal with this.

    Report Post »  
    • jeffj85
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:34pm

      I would like to see your statistics on the number of homosexuals in the clergy. I’m Orthodox, and I am not aware of any such statistics.

      In the Orthodox Church, all bishops are drawn from the monastic ranks. Because monasticism requires celibacy, perhaps those who struggle with their sexuality are more likely to become monks, and thus are more likely to become bishops. But to say the clergy are “full of practicing homosexuals” is libelous. For one thing, the vast majority of priests are married.

      As for the KGB, that’s as silly as blaming Pope Benedict for being a Nazi. You don’t seem to appreciate that the Soviets executed tens of millions of Orthodox Christians, and those who were not killed and did not flee the country were forced to live under the Soviet system. The clergy who were in positions of power (ie bishops) were forced to live within the government system. They could not be bishops if they were not KGB. The church needs bishops, and the bishops sometimes had to make less-than-ideal compromises for the sake of the people.

      And as was dealt with early in Christianity, the sins of the clergy do not render their work ineffective. Even if the patriarchs were evil men, grace remained in the church. The revival of Christianity in Russia, as well as the reunion between the Russian Church and the Russian Church Abroad are the proof.

      Report Post »  
    • jeffj85
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 1:36pm

      @ GKS – I would like to see your statistics on the number of homosexuals in the clergy. I’m Orthodox, and I am not aware of any such statistics.

      In the Orthodox Church, all bishops are drawn from the monastic ranks. Because monasticism requires celibacy, perhaps those who struggle with their sexuality are more likely to become monks, and thus are more likely to become bishops. But to say the clergy are “full of practicing homosexuals” is libelous. For one thing, the vast majority of priests are married.

      As for the KGB, that’s as silly as blaming Pope Benedict for being a Nazi. You don’t seem to appreciate that the Soviets executed tens of millions of Orthodox Christians, and those who were not killed and did not flee the country were forced to live under the Soviet system. The clergy who were in positions of power (ie bishops) were forced to live within the government system. They could not be bishops if they were not KGB. The church needs bishops, and the bishops sometimes had to make less-than-ideal compromises for the sake of the people.

      And as was dealt with early in Christianity, the sins of the clergy do not render their work ineffective. Even if the patriarchs were evil men, grace remained in the church. The revival of Christianity in Russia, as well as the reunion between the Russian Church and the Russian Church Abroad are the proof.

      Report Post »  
    • ms.sandman
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:07pm

      You’re an idiot. The Russian Orthodox Church is part of the Eastern Church not the Roman Catholic Church. Our priests are not homosexual.

      Report Post » ms.sandman  
    • rossi_thomas
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:45pm

      Liberal Fascism 101: hate, attack, blame, lie, deny.

      Lie- Russian Orthodox Church is chock full of homos.

      If the Russian Orthodox Church is chock full of homos then Liberal Fascists like you should be screaming in defense of them. You’re not. You’re just attacking them because they stand against the perversions of Liberal Fascism.

      Report Post » rossi_thomas  
  • Michael61
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:12pm

    St. Petersburg is the capital of gays in Russia, and from my own experience they do target minors all the time in all kinds of ways. I had to pass their favorite meeting square every day when I was a cute teenager (15-16). I was harassed all the time there (and in other places as well).

    Homosexual gene is a joke. There are maybe 0.01% of people who are genetically homosexual, it is not like 10% bullsh.t figure. Homosexuals can not reproduce, so the only way to get potential sexual partners is to lure teenagers or even better to start when they are children.

    That’s why there is “Child sexuality” and “Confused sexual identity” and other bullsh.t. They want our children to have sex, it is a simple fact of life.

    Report Post »  
  • Attila
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Homosexuality promotes the single largest and long lasting Epidemic affecting Humans worldwide.
    To say nothing on the cost to medicare and medicaid treating infected people in their final stages of life
    .What kind of a world isit when we promote activities which can kill people who are involved in this lifestyle.

    Report Post »  
  • scherzophrenic
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:49am

    Homosexual behavior isn’t anything to celebrate. It isn’t normal, it isn’t good. It’s evil.

    Report Post » scherzophrenic  
  • vaman
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:30am

    The religious bigots have no legitimate stand against gay issues other than “it’s always been that way” or the “bible says so”. Both are clearly unacceptable answers to a current social issue. So what the religious fanatics do is try to compare gays to pedophiles or some other deviant group. It’s all bull. Don’t use your god to perpetuate your hate and egregious behavior towards other people. Your inability to separate fictitious religious brainwashing from reality only subverts your own thinking and alienates you from the rest of the world. Radical, terroristic religious beliefs always lead to the denigration of another group, for absolutely no reason then the hate that religion promotes. Radical christianity is becoming more like islam everyday.

    A good rule to live by: Always question the intelligence and sanity of anyone that wants to set 21st century social policy based on a book of myths cobbled together during the Bronze Age.

    Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:00pm

      You act as if a devout religious individual has a choice if he is to follow the teachings of their religion. You choose not to respect their beliefs and would force them to accept what they believe is deviant behavior. The fact that you believe this to be unacceptable is your personal opinion? Are you speaking for society as a whole when you state it is unacceptable? What proof do you have that they hate you? We are forbidden from hating you, but hate the sin. You choose to have a warped perspective regarding our beliefs and then spout your irresponsible and misleading propaganda in public forums.

      For one that begs acceptance and condemns us for not being tolerant, your statement is hypocritical and the irony is thick.What is your definition of a religious bigot for I cannot asses the validity of your second claim that their stand is illegitimate. I do not expect you to answer as I do not think you really understand nor articulate what you want to say resulting in a rant consisting of hyperbole, irony, and emotional hysterics. Do us all a favor and bring your rant up to the level of a defensible argument.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
    • jeffj85
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:19pm

      @ Vaman – You obviously have no idea about the Orthodox Church’s teaching on homosexuality.

      If you’d care to educate yourself, pick up a copy of “Christian Faith And Same Sex Attraction: Eastern Orthodox Reflections” by Fr. Thomas Hopko. You will find the Church‘s teachings are more nuanced and more compassionate than the nonsense you’ve written here.

       
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:21pm

      ““it’s always been that way” or the “bible says so”. . . . are clearly unacceptable answers to a current social issue.” True.
      “to compare gays to pedophiles or some other deviant group. It’s all bull.” No. Actually, it’s not “bull.” The incidence of an array of deviant behavior is associated with homosexuality. One factor that has been used to obfuscate to true statistics is the “10%” myth. While homosexuals are really only 2-3 percent of the population, the 10% myth makes an incidence of, for example, 10% pedophilia by homosexuals look like an “expected” incidence hile, in fact it is 3 to 5 times higher than the general population.

      Report Post »  
    • rossi_thomas
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 7:47pm

      Liberal Fascism 101: hate, attack, blame, lie, deny

      The only bigot is YOU. You‘re so indoctrinated you don’t even know what that word means. You’re like a delusional, homeless OWS Santa Claus screaming and ranting about the evils of wearing red.

      Report Post » rossi_thomas  
    • strewth_cobber
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:37pm

      “Great civilizations fall and crumble from the rot within.”

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:55am

    .
    If we had a ‘Gay Propaganda’ Ban, what would be on TV?……..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Vladia
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:49am

    Everybody has the God-given rights to free speech and peaceable assembly. Democrats and Republicans. Liberals and conservatives. Americans and Russians. Straights and gays. EVERYBODY.

    Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:15am

      So Hitler had a God given right to spread the hatred in his heart across germany.

      Report Post »  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:05pm

      Congratulations smithclar3nc3 for the first Hitler reference! Using Hitler references to challenge an argument: Shame on you for laziness!

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
  • Charybdis
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:48am

    It‘s nice to know that other countries don’t buy into the propaganda that pedophilia and homosexuality have no connection.

    Report Post »  
    • normbal
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:55am

      here here.

      It hasn’t gone beyond my observation (and reading of fact) that among “pedophiles” something on the order of 95% of them are adult male upon male child assaults. That’s called “homosexual” by any definition, unless you’re propagandizing for “the other team,“ then you just make sure all the media outlets can ONLY say ”pedophile,” to make it sound, well, gender-neutral, which it isn’t.

      Homosexuality is a disorder, a disease, and I’m happy to hear that somewhere on the planet – strange that it would be mother Russia – the truth can still be spoken without fear of reprisal by the homosexual leftists.

      Report Post » normbal  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:18pm

      I would not want my grand children anywhere near a person with views such as yours if you are defending pedophiles. Are you defending pedophiles or homosexuals? Both are deviant behavior in my opinion. Since the militant gay community has successfully lobbied for laws in California to teach gay history, has not a blue-collar working Christian not lost their right on what moral teachings are taught their own children? Our government is in a no holds barred fight with Christian parents for the minds and souls of their children. At some point these children will ask ever deeper questions regarding “what is a homosexual and what makes them different?”. In sex ed are they being taught about anal intercourse and oral copulation? Pedophiles and those that support bestiality are organizing as well. The militant gay agenda has changed from one of fighting discrimination to acceptance by force of law.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
  • mdlwoods
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:46am

    Well, I never thought I would agree with anything that came out of Russia. But I do agree with this Priest or whatever he is. This evil gay indoctrination of kids should be banned!

    Report Post » mdlwoods  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:41am

    Good for them, they dont seem to be into making imaginary victims out of every group of people…. Like our Democrats……

    Report Post »  
  • cessna152
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:36am

    *****Russian Orthodox Church has urged federal lawmakers*******
    __________________________________________________________________________

    Federal lawmakers? You have to convince the people not the “law makers”.

    Report Post » cessna152  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:14am

    why do they have to use the rainbow as their symbol? that has always bothered me that the symbol of God’s promise to Noah and the earth has been used for gay advocacy. Why if the gay lifestyle is so awesome do they need advocates? shouldn’t the lifestyle speak for itself?

    Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:27am

      Causing moral decline is the way to Communism..it is done purposely..because a demoralized society is more easily controlled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJKJM36lMTE

      Report Post »  
    • WSGAC
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:38am

      Perhaps yours is the reason they have decided to use it. Or perhaps they’re unaware of the irony? God’s covenant sign that He would not destroy evil again with Flood, these debauched humans are almost daring Him to do so…a kind of “in your face God!”

      Clearly the increase in evil and debauchery is on the rise. Much like the exponential growth curve of a bacterial colony, these debauched ones are showing a striking similarity. As a bacterial colony grows, there comes a point where the numbers start shooting through the roof…where the gradual rise in numbers suddenly curves upward, a near vertical incline. Then it happens. The foul debauched community comes to a crashing end. The bacterial colony bring its own demise. Alas, they bring everyone else down with them.

      Perhaps the rainbow is a fitting symbol. It points to their own demise, when all their debauchery will be washed away, and God’s symbol will mark a new day when creation will be free of this ****-erotic debauched filth!

      Report Post »  
    • Charybdis
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:43am

      Yeah, but He never promised he wouldn’t rain fire down on them, as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:43am

      Satan loves to mock God Horsecrazy.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • sWampy
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:11am

    And they are calling it the right thing, propaganda. The whole notion that gay is normal is as ridiculous as the flat earth theory or this crap the world will be better off with 99% of the population living in cities while most of the planet is devoid of man.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:03am

    Funny, we look at other countries in the world and think ‘I sure wouldn’t want to be them.’ The rest of the world is looking at us and saying, ‘I sure wouldn’t want to be them.’

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:52am

      Gonzo , if it was’nt so sad, it would be funny…..sad but true that is !

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 11:13am

      I meant funny-odd. Nothing funny-haha-about it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • jeffj85
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 10:02am

    As a member of the Orthodox Church, I am glad our priests and bishops have the guts to say unpopular things. I hope our American clergy will be as bold (and many are; thinking of Metropolitan Jonah [Paffhausen] and Bishop Basil [Essey] on the subject of abortion).

    Russia is still suffering greatly from the secularism and evils promoted by the Soviet government. Many years to Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Church for the work they are doing to return Russia to the thoroughly Christian nation it once was.

    Report Post »  
    • Mr. H.
      Posted on March 12, 2012 at 12:29pm

      Good going to the Church, speaking out to oppose the perverted conduct of the homosexuals.

      Report Post »  
  • The_Jerk
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 9:49am

    Good for them… ’bout time commonsense makes a comeback.

    Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on March 12, 2012 at 9:47am

    If we only could do something here.

    Report Post » piper60  
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