Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations
Encyclopedia
The Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations is a Russia
n law passed in 1997, signed by President Boris Yeltsin
.
The law redefined the state's relationship with religion, as Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev
had defined in a 1990 law. After the fall of Communism, Gorbachev had given much-needed breathing room to the practice of religion in Russia, whose culture's heart is Eastern Orthodoxy, but had also opened the door indescriminately and generally to the practice of religion. A new law was needed, to preserve Russia against what was considered the corruption of Orthodoxy.
The law was formulated and pushed by the Russian Orthodox Church
, secular nationalists, and communists alike, with such determination that though Yeltsin vetoed the bill once, he could not legitimately do so a second time.
Written in the law was the upholding of separation of church and state; that there shall be no state religion. With that in mind, the following definitions and regulations are given:
religious work, though it left room for some foreign churches to legitimately register. There had been on the order of 16,000 registered organizations before the passage of the law, and by 2004 there were 22,000. By regulating on grounds common among new, foreign organizations, it made it difficult for them to take root, and it succeeded in promoting and securing a privileged place for the Russian Orthodox Church.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n law passed in 1997, signed by President Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
.
The law redefined the state's relationship with religion, as Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
had defined in a 1990 law. After the fall of Communism, Gorbachev had given much-needed breathing room to the practice of religion in Russia, whose culture's heart is Eastern Orthodoxy, but had also opened the door indescriminately and generally to the practice of religion. A new law was needed, to preserve Russia against what was considered the corruption of Orthodoxy.
The law was formulated and pushed by the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
, secular nationalists, and communists alike, with such determination that though Yeltsin vetoed the bill once, he could not legitimately do so a second time.
Written in the law was the upholding of separation of church and state; that there shall be no state religion. With that in mind, the following definitions and regulations are given:
Definitions
- religious organizations: at the level of individual church congregations
- religious associations: whole denominations
- religious groups: groups without legal status, such as a bible study group
Regulations
- Organizations may only be founded by Russian citizens
- this ostensibly provided for national security.
- All associations must have a religious purpose, including:
- a creedCreedA creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
, - regular worship services,
- the conducting of religious education.
- a creed
- aimed at parachurch organizations such as Campus Crusade for ChristCampus Crusade for ChristCampus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries...
and the Salvation ArmySalvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
.
- No organization may function until they have been registered with the government for 15 years, unless it affiliates with an existing association. During the wait, the following is forbidden:
- public worship services,
- distribution of literature and materials,
- the hiring of foreign clergy.
- this discouraged independent-style and evangelicalEvangelicalismEvangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
churches such as Baptists.
- A religious group may be liquidated by the government for any of the following reasons:
- creating an armed militiaMilitiaThe term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
unit, - threatening the integrity of the Russian Federation,
- infringing on the health of its citizens,
- restricting its members from leaving the religion,
- encouraging its members to disobey civic duties.
- creating an armed militia
Effects
Religion under the new law became nearly as regulated as it had been in Soviet times, though without the official communist hostility. It did accomplish some expulsion of WesternWestern culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
religious work, though it left room for some foreign churches to legitimately register. There had been on the order of 16,000 registered organizations before the passage of the law, and by 2004 there were 22,000. By regulating on grounds common among new, foreign organizations, it made it difficult for them to take root, and it succeeded in promoting and securing a privileged place for the Russian Orthodox Church.
See also
- Law of the Russian FederationLaw of the Russian FederationThe primary and fundamental statement of laws in the Russian Federation is the Constitution of the Russian Federation.-Domestic sources:Since its adoption in a 1993 referendum the Russian Constitution is considered to be the supreme law of the land...
- Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality
- Freedom of ReligionFreedom of religionFreedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
- Separation of Church and StateSeparation of church and stateThe concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....