A measure of control

The "Tolerance" movement has come to Russia. At least, that's what they're calling it these days.

I suppose Man has always looked for ways to avoid absolutes and found excuses to live one's own way. Or, ways to appease others in order to live more comfortably.

It started a long time ago. Perhaps, one could say, it started in the Garden. Eve was just going to have a little taste...it's not like she was going to commit murder or anything. And Adam, well, he took what his wife offered him. Wouldn't want to compromise the marital bliss.

But the interesting thing about certain movements coming to Russia is that they have the Orthodox Church to contend with. I suppose the religious right has some power in the U.S., but let's face it, there is not much unity among American churches, as a whole. There is no central organ that says "here is how we will address this issue." Read more/-

Unless, of course, people pay attention to the authority of the Bible...if they did that more often, it would be a different story.

No, the U.S. has always been pretty "free." Of course I didn't live in Russia during the Soviet era, but I think the level of freedom was slightly diminished.

But getting back to the point. I am not always at ease about the amount of power the Orthodox Church has. Maybe it's because I don't agree with all points of their doctrine, and maybe it's because I just resent being in the minority, as part of a Russian Protestant church. Maybe both.

However, when the Church has power, the Patriarch or even just a local priest can say "look at these hooligans trying to destroy order. Let's ban them." For example, Jehovah's Witnesses. And he gets his way.

I'm oversimplifying here, but hopefully you get my point...