I thought under Putin’s reign he was softer on his people and permitted “religious freedom” in mother Russia? I know his dad was an atheist but his mom would secretly attend a Russian Orthodox Church and if I’m not mistaken … Putin, as a baby was “baptized”, and he has met with the religious leaders of the Orthodox Church. So I just assumed he opened the doors for all Russians to freely attend church, if they wanted to?? :unsure: And if he took over Ukraine and Belarus … wouldn’t he let them have the same rules to freely worship or not really? Geri, It is all very surface and for the political picture of tolerance. I have been to Belarus 4 times on month long mission trips and gotten to know them very well. We have hosted Ukrainians and Belarusians in our home for several months at a time as well. We have had sit down meetings with Bible preaching pastors, who have been “jailed” for their faith and will be again. The truth is that you have to be “licensed” by the state church to be legal. You are told what you can say and what you cannot. The orthodox churches are beautiful but dead. The unlicensed churches are visited often by “spies” (you can easily pick them out - they attended many of the services our American team was in). Czar Putin will tolerate them only if they follow his plan for unification of Mother Russia. If they speak against him or his plans, they are jailed. Many believers loose their jobs as they are not considered true soviets. Corruption among the police, boarder officials, and city leaders is off the charts. A “mayor” can decide that they might not have enough fuel for the entire winter and turn off the heat from certain sectors in the towns. We got stopped one time by a police at a check point and we had to pay a fine for the car emissions. That $20.00 went into his pocket as we drove off. You must have your passport or papers with you always. It is so much worse today then when I was there 10 years ago. We saw the corruption then and I know via emails, it is far worse. The churches have moved underground again. Believers live a life that is in danger. :prayer-hands: Many hot spots around the world for believers, and we think we have it bad! The time is coming when the whole world will see unprecedented attacks, confinement, and torture! A prelude and portent of Hell, yet many will not even connect the dots! We are in the beginnings of so much misery! We are indeed not appointed unto the wrath of God or satan, but how much wrath of men shall we endure!? TR "......but how much wrath of men shall we endure!?" I would brace for more and hope for less. Thank you, Tammie for clarifying the “religious freedom” situation in Russia, Belarus, etc. Sadly they still want to suppress the Truth (Jesus is the ONLY way) but give freedom for all the false dead “religions”. The enemy also had Russia flooded with cults like the JWs after the breakup of the Soviet Union. :negative: The Orthodox Church overreacted by effectively banning all non-Orthodox Christianity.
