I’ve written some posts opposing US military intervention. This post has almost nothing to do with that topic.
The Eastern European Pro-Life Virus
Here is a story from Macedonia that was published earlier this month:
“A ‘virus’ of restrictive abortion legislation is spreading from Eastern Europe, health experts and rights campaigners have said, amid Church pressure and misguided government attempts to stop falling birth rates. Just weeks ago a new law was introduced in Macedonia tightening up relatively liberal abortion legislation which had been followed for more than 40 years. And last month, Lithuanian lawmakers gave initial approval to some of strictest abortion legislation in the world. Tighter abortion laws are also being considered in Russia and the Ukraine while the Georgian parliament is expected to debate abortion laws after the country’s Orthodox Church made calls in May for it to be banned. Critics say that some governments appear to be moving towards introducing total bans on the procedure. Bojan Jovanovski, executive director of the Health Education and Research Association (HERA) in Macedonia, told IPS: ‘What has happened here is not unique and is happening in a lot of countries, spreading like a virus from Eastern Europe westwards… What this law here will do in the short term is it will make it harder for women to get an abortion, because of the bureaucracy and hurdles they will face. This will possibly lead to them undergoing illegal abortions and the problems that brings with it. But its wider meaning is that it is a step towards more restrictive measures and, ultimately, a ban on abortions.’ In recent years Eastern Europe has witnessed a push, in many cases driven by socially dominant Churches, to reinforce or tighten abortion legislation and deter access to them.”
This is amazing news. If Russia was to truly stop most abortions in that country, it would have immense demographic consequences—arguably extremely positive consequences—for that country. As one via the United Nations as our proxy:
“Amid a surge of anti-gay violence and repression in several countries, the United Nations’ human rights office on Friday launched its first global outreach campaign to promote tolerance and greater equality for lesbians, gays, transgender people and bisexuals. Called Free & Equal, it’s an unprecedented effort by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to change public attitudes around the world on issues that have bitterly divided the U.N.’s own member states. The multi-pronged campaign — announced at a news conference in Cape Town, South Africa — will include videos and public-service announcements distributed through social media, a new website, a series of fact sheets, and engagement by celebrities well-known in different regions of the world. ‘Changing attitudes is never easy… It begins with often difficult conversations,” said Navi Pillay, the high commissioner for human rights. “And that is what we want to do with this campaign. Free & Equal will inspire millions of conversations among people around the world and across the ideological spectrum.’… According to the human rights office, at least 76 countries still criminalize consensual, same-sex relationships, and discrimination against LGBT people is widespread in many other nations. Less than half of the U.N.’s 193 member states have gone on record in support of gay rights and in opposition to laws criminalizing homosexuality. In March 2011, for example, only 85 states signed a joint statement at the Human Rights Council expressing their concern at violence and human rights violations against LGBT people. Radcliffe said funding for Free & Equal is being provided by outside contributors, and is not reliant on U.N. funds, thus skirting any possible opposition from U.N. members who oppose gay-rights activism.”
So, at the same time the so-called US Department of Justice has used its resources to force a California school district to “accommodate” a girl who calls herself a boy—by, among other things, allowing her to use the boy’s restroom—the American elite (perhaps with some Western European help—is financing a propaganda war on what remnants of Biblical sexual ethics exist around the world.
The Russian Resistance
And as far as the US establishment is concerned, Russia is the big “bad guy.”
“Putin has embraced the Russian Orthodox Church, and his government has introduced various social programs to promote young couples having more children. Putin has also pushed through another law banning gay foreign couples from adopting Russian children. All U.S. adoptions of Russian children have since been banned. In response, the U.S. state department issued a travel warning for homosexuals in Russia. ‘Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is widespread in Russia, as harassment, threats, and acts of violence have been targeted at LGBT individuals. Government officials have been known to make derogatory comments about LGBT persons,’ the warning said.”
Americans and others are pushing back however they can. Boycotting vodka (I’d be amazed if local Russian consumers cannot make up for the slack) and threatening to boycott the winter Olympics. Ad Age reported,
“Led by President Vladimir Putin, Russia has taken a host of actions of late, including passing one measure that bans ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.’ The controversy could cause headaches for U.S. corporations linked to the 2014 Winter Olympics that will be hosted in Sochi, Russia. In a column in the New York Times this week, actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein called on the U.S. Olympic Committee to demand retraction of Russia’s laws ‘under the threat of boycott.’”
Who Is The Evil Empire Now?
There are lots of reasons to doubt Putin’s character. It is easy for me to wish death upon him just for the Smolensk Crash, apart from all his other alleged sins or crimes. But it is naive to think that a good person could gain the reins of power in almost any current government, not least that of the United States of America.
As a public figure, Putin is leading Christian resistance to the United State’s ruling class’ hard push for sexual perversity–for a pagan planet. If he improves Russia’s horrible abortion ethic, and does so as part of a general Eastern European revival of a pro-life practice, then speculations about his personal character are beside the point. Russia becomes a new Constantinople working to hold back the hordes of infidels howling to conquer them.
There may be good reason to expect Christendom to revive south of the equator. Perhaps Russia’s prominence will be temporary. But even so, I think that temporary protection would be important and helpful.
American Evangelicals need to pray for it. With Christianity spreading in China, the whole world may change in ways we can’t easily envision. Think of China and Russia giving aid and support to Kenya in resisting Obama’s culture war.
So stop calling Russia Red. Practice a new phrase: Holy Russia.
And whether or not that happens, be sure of one thing. The United States is the Evil Empire. We Christians are the enslaved masses that Sam and Frodo saw as they approached the Dark Tower. Our taxes (which, lest anyone misunderstand me, God says we should pay) are supporting the Eye.
We live in Mordor.<>
Christendom, Eastern Europe, homosexuality, Kenya, propaganda, Russia, UN, United Nations, Vladimir Putin
Forgive us if nobody cries over the loss of the church’s ability to persecute people using the government. You can always keep being a frightened bigot on the internet, if that’s any solace.
Right, Robert. Taking children from the home to be brainwashed (“education” the answer) or forcing a school district to recognize the existence of an invisible penis is completely tolerant. The UN’s agenda is going to cause violence, not end it.
So you’d rather hate on transsexuals and homosexuals than accept them for who they are? How exactly is that Christ-like at all? I mean, whatever happened to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)? Seems to me like you’re ignoring all of the Bible verses in which Christ preached love and acceptance of all people, and focusing solely on the verses that preach hatred and exclusion of others. Why is that? And why do you call yourself a Christian when you aren’t even willing to try to act like Christ?
Hannah, encouraging a child to loathe his own body and cultivate gender delusions is hatred, not love. People who will not repent of immorality cannot enter the kingdom of God. The command to love your neighbor as yourself means you warn people about that.
Transsexuality isn’t something that a person can be encouraged into. Either you are a transsexual or you aren’t. And transsexuals are going to hate the body they were born into no matter what, you know. So why not try to help them escape that hatred by letting them change their gender?
Also, have you ever actually studied the history and context of all of the supposed “anti-gay” Bible verses? Heck, have you ever even read those verses in the original Greek and Aramaic (before they were translated a million times), and do you know what the words “arsenokoitai” and “malakoi” mean? Or do you just take those verses at face value, even though that just gives you an incredibly shallow interpretation of them?
Hannah, in a word, yes. I think your embarrassing yourself.
It’s “you’re,” not “your.” And how am I embarrassing myself?
Actually, she looks sane and rational. You are the one foaming at the mouth to persecute an already marginalized child because your book told you her genitals are wrong.
When did I ever say that she isn’t sane and rational? Those are your words, not mine.
And transsexuals feel that they were born as the wrong gender, and they do, in fact, feel as though they have the wrong genitals. I’m not taking that from any book other than the dictionary. And what’s so wrong about using words according to their dictionary definitions?
Hannah, The original languages (Greek and Hebrew) are more “bigoted and homophobic” than most translations are. If anything, translating such verse into English softens the blow.
Hannah,
I am not enter the fray of the homosexual discussion. I’m simply pointing out the loss of context when Jesus is quoted in Matt 22:39. It comes from Leviticus 19:18. Throughout the chapter you will read the phrase “I am the LORD” as a type of bookend around similar content teaching.
“You shall love your neighbor” is a command on how to treat your neighbor when they are in sin. And the primary goal is to not have their sin incurred upon you (Lev 19:17). Far from Jesus preaching “acceptance”, Jesus is giving faithful instruction on how to correct the pervasiveness of sin in our culture.
Since you do seem to think that homosexuality is a sin, then yes, you are entering into the fray of the homosexual discussion.
So, I’ll ask you the same questions that I asked Mark Horne:
Have you ever actually studied the history and context of all of the supposed “anti-gay” Bible verses? Heck, have you ever even read those verses in the original Greek and Aramaic (before they were translated a million times), and do you know what the words “arsenokoitai” and “malakoi” mean? Or do you just take those verses at face value, even though that just gives you an incredibly shallow interpretation of them?
Hannah,
First, it is not logical to make an assumption that presumes that I am eager to participate in your other conversation. My application of Leviticus applies to all sin. I did not make a definitive application. I simply corrected your loose use of Christ’s words.
Second, yes I have.
If you have studied the history and context of all of the so-called “anti-gay” Bible verses, then what makes you so sure that homosexuality actually is a sin? I mean, if you look at those verses in context, and really study them (including studying the previous translations of those verses), it becomes quite clear that homosexuality actually isn’t a sin at all.
And Jesus was supposed to be perfect, correct? And pure, agape love is the very definition of perfection, correct? So how, then, is being judgmental of others and butting into their personal lives while using the excuse of “I’m trying to correct the pervasiveness of sin in our culture” Christ-like at all, seeing as that sort of judgmental, arrogant attitude is the exact opposite of agape love?
Hannah, our middle daughter is lesbian/gay. That doesn’t make me throw out the whole of Christian tradition and clear teaching of the Apostles in Scripture however. What we’ve done is love her unconditionally. She would tell you that if asked. In so many ways we respect, admire and love her.
On the other hand we pray for her repentance, and she knows that as well. She will always be my daughter and I will always love her. That is what drives me to pray for her. I do not have the power to influence or force her to change so rather I’m open, available and loving. She is a beautiful, talented and very loving young lady yet she understands that I cannot change God’s teaching (something that like you, she views differently) just because I love her.
Being gay isn’t something that can be repented of. It’s not a choice, nor can gay people just change their sexual orientation and become straight. You know how I know this? I myself am bisexual, and it took me a long, long time to come to terms with that and love myself despite my bisexuality. I did actually try to change my sexual orientation, but I couldn’t. I’m just going to always be attracted to both men and women.
So, with that said, how do you figure it’s loving at all to expect your daughter to repent of her homosexuality, seeing as that’s not possible at all? Why not try loving her for who she is, homosexuality and all? She deserves a father who loves her for who she is, you know. I actually feel bad for her, seeing as she doesn’t seem to have that. I wish she could have my parents, who love me unconditionally. You know, my parents aren’t Christians at all (my mom is a New Age spiritualist, and my dad is a Reformed Jew), yet they’re more loving than you are. Doesn’t that seem odd to you?
Hannah,
It is difficult to dialogue with anyone who insists on defining every would used in the discussion. It would be quite impossible for me to reply to your message directly without having to take exception to the assumptions you have introduced. I pray for God’s blessing and insight upon your future studies.
What assumptions have I introduced? It’s not like I don’t have any personal experience with being LGBT. Like I already said, I’m bisexual. Why doesn’t that seem to matter at all to you, and why do you seem to think that my personal experience doesn’t count for anything?
It might be helpful to quote myself on the UN campaign from this post:
Mark, it was a pleasure to read your article. As a former Evangelical Presbyterian turned Russian Orthodox Christian, I found much to agree with in your argument. I’ve been torn on who is the real Anti-Christ, the USA or the religion of Islam, and must say that America is undoubtedly an agent of Satan if not the representation of Satan herself.
American Christians are the frog that has been so slowly but thoroughly boiled to the point that they still find some value in a nation that unfortunately belongs on the garbage heap of history. American Christianity is largely cultural and waiting to be burned life chaff at the end of time. Many Americans, not realizing the call of Saint Paul about true citizenship, “believe in” and have more faith in America as the focus of their ideals than they do with Biblical Christianity.
Having lived as an American journalist in Russia for many years now I have watched with interest the changes in the Eastern world. Youth wearing pro-life t-shirts can be seen walking in the cities and there are lines at some churches on Sunday mornings. When is the last time you saw American Christians lined up outside an old, non-air conditioned/non-heated house of worship, waiting for their turn to go in and stand (no pews in Eastern Churches) to worship with others? When was the last time an American pastor had to instruct his ushers to quietly circulate among standing parishioners to ask them to leave after 30-40 minutes so that those waiting in the elements outside could have a chance to come in?
I travel with President Putin on rotation as a member of the press pool. I traveled almost full time with former president and now Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Mr. Putin is a religious man in private and I am not the one to judge the sincerity of his faith. Mr. Medvedev and his wife are more outspoken about their faith and a credible witness to their values. Their regular attendance and participation in the life of the church is a positive influence for others and when appropriate I’ve reported on that in my daily news blog, the Mendeleyev Journal.
This year in Russia we are celebrating 1025 years since Christianity came to be the dominate faith in Russia. The Jewish faith along with Islam and Hinduism are protected on the same level of Orthodox Christianity. Across the Eastern world most Christians here see Russia as “the third Rome” with the responsibility to hold American successes, and often American stupidity, in check as the protector of Orthodox people everywhere. In hindsight, Russia should have done more, and even to the point of threatening war, to prevent the slaughter of innocent Christians done in Serbia at the behest of the Clinton administration’s “Kosovo war.”
The frequent violence in Macedonia is a direct result of America’s siding with Islamic forces from Kosovo and Albania. Today those radical Islamic fighters, armed and equipped by the USA, often target Macedonian Christians for murder, driving them from their homes and burning Christian churches–just as they did in Serbia under the cover of NATO and former president Clinton.
I travel and cover most of Eastern Europe and this month have carried out assignments in Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia and Lebanon. The American policy in this part of Africa has served to murder and displace Christian minorities who have been protected by the governments of the Muslim nations of which these Christians live. We American Christians, by virtue of our “representative” government, have the blood of innocent martyrs on our hands.
In closing, I should humbly point out that there is no “the” in Ukraine. That name means “borderland” and might have been more understandable in the years of Soviet domination but Ukraine, is just constitutionally that, one word: Ukraine.
I have yet to find a perfect country in the East. Not Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Turkey, nor China can claim perfection. But what these lands do hold are Christians who have been through the fire and have experienced what true Christianity feels like when tested and persecuted. That is coming to America soon and I don’t think that she’ll do so well. We’ll find that many were CINO, Christians in Name Only, by the time the persecution starts to roll. But then again, that is common in any society–God isn’t stupid as he uses the refining fires for a reason.
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