Note: This is now a historical document-- President Yeltsin vetoed the bill. See UMNS story.
The Russian parliament, the State Duma, has given overwhelming endorsement to a new bill on religious freedom. If signed by President Yeltsin, the new law will restrict activities of foreign missionaries and minority religious groups.
Under the proposed law only the historic religious groups, specifically the Russian Orthodox Church, Islam, Buddhist and Jewish faith communities, (plus a few selected Protestant minority faiths that maintained their existence during the seventy-year Soviet period) will be recognized as official religions. Other groups that wish to work in Russia would have to be invited by one of the official religious organizations. To be officially registered, a minority church group must be an all-Russian organization which has demonstrated its effectiveness over a fifteen year period with a constituency of no less than 100,000.
The history of Methodism in Russia dates from late 1800s into the Bolshevik revolution. It continued in Estonia throughout the Soviet period. Although this history has been well documented it is not recognized by authorities in the Russian Orthodox Church who helped draft and promote the legislation.
Since its reestablishment in 1991, the Russian United Methodist Church has grown to thirty-five local churches, with a membership of 5000 and a constituency of 15,000. It is registered under existing laws but will be forced to re-register along with others the new law defines as religious minorities.
It is widely believed that the new legislation violates provisions of the Russian constitution. It is also believed that the President may not sign it. If the measure is signed by President Yelstin and adopted it may be subject to appeals.
Enforcement would be lodged in a Council for Religious Affairs similar to the state agency that supervised churches during the Soviet period. Rather than being even handed and impartial, local enforcement most likely would be influenced by reactions to fervent religious fundamentalists and by political party interests.
Religious activities, including informal worship and Bible studies, would fall under government scrutiny and the training of pastors in the new Russia United Methodist Seminary would be threatened. Certain privileges, like access to meeting space, publishing rights and foreign workers (missionaries) could be denied.
The General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) is committed to freedom of religion for people of all beliefs. We will continue to demonstrate this commitment by inviting open dialogue with church leaders in Russia and with ecumenical groups.
GBGM rejects proselytism and rejects the harmful work of some sectarian groups and religious cults in Russia. The GBGM is sensitive to the tensions produced by this activity. While the GBGM respects the right of the Russian Orthodox Church to a primary ministry carried out over a millennium of witnessing and suffering, we will continue to support the growth and development of the Russian United Methodist Church as an authentic Christian faith tradition in a spirit of ecumenical partnership and cooperation. The GBGM remains committed to finding ways to strengthen the common Christian witness (especially with the Russian Orthodox Church) which is needed in the many compelling challenges facing Russia today.
Russia must resist the urge to view reactionary legislation as a substitute for long-term solutions to conflicts. One of the most important responsibilities of any government is the preservation of human rights, including freedom of religion. Any country --even one still suffering the pangs of adjusting to a new political and economic system--that fails to do so leaves itself vulnerable to serious critique from an international community already struggling to contain sometimes-violent conflicts rooted in exploitation of religious and ethnic differences.
The bedrock of ecumenical fellowship and cooperation is the willingness of each of the denominations to protect every other church's practices and beliefs from infringement by oppressive forces. The GBGM deeply regrets the decision of the Russian Orthodox Church to support this restrictive legislation without discussing the matter with groups affected by it. In the past, GBGM has initiated successful dialogues in which United Methodist and Russian Orthodox leaders discussed issues concerning the emerging United Methodist Ministries in Russia. We also have had discussions on cooperative efforts in education, humanitarian assistance, church restoration, women's leadership development, building and agricultural programs.
GBGM will appeal to the Russian Orthodox Church to renew these dialogues. We will also request that the World Council of Churches, of which both communions are members consider implications of the new legislation on open Christian witness and inter religious solidarity in Russia.
Diplomatic relationships between Russia and Western governments requires that freedom of religion not be subordinated to economic or political interests as a criteria for partnership in development. With that in mind, governments are increasingly recognizing and addressing religious rights as they develop inter-governmental trade and development and assistance policies.
GBGM will continue to administer its Russia development programs, without preference, through church and government partners. GBGM expects that the same absence of religious preference and influence will characterize relationships between Russian authorities and all religious bodies, especially minority religious groups.
As a global church, the United Methodist Church must rise to the challenge of supporting its small but growing church presence in Russia. GBGM urges United Methodist connectional leaders and bodies to communicate with their governments and appeal to Russian ambassadors in their countries to oppose the adoption and enforcement of the new legislation that would restrict religious freedom.
June 26, 1997
Mission Alerts | Global Connections: Russia | General Board of Global Ministries