Posts tagged Vladimir Putin
Why Ukraine Still Matters More Than 2 Years After Russia’s Invasion

(OPINION) In the early days of the war, we were united in purpose. I didn’t know what to expect now. My Ukrainian brothers and sisters must be exhausted, I thought. And they have to know that support has wavered in the U.S. — that some politicians have called for my country to drop its financial support for Ukraine. Would I find tired, resentful faces this time?

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As Russia Ramps Up ‘Traditional Values’ Rhetoric, It’s Won Putin Far-Right Fans Abroad

(ANALYSIS) Traditional values have become a fixture in far-right movements around the world, some of which see Russia as a model of the future they desire. In Russia and beyond, many conservative Christians in these movements have focused on LGBTQ+ populations, whom they portray as threats to their vision for society — and are not deterred by antidemocratic politics, if its figures voice support for their social goals.

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Serbian Journalist Vladimir Veljkovic On The Ukraine War And Orthodoxy’s Future

Only a few scholars and researchers have a comprehensive understanding of the religious aspects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There are not many Orthodox theologians and journalists who delve into discussions about Orthodox Christianity and its compatibility with Western values.

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Pope Francis’ Secret Peace Mission in the European Stronghold of Illiberalism

(ANALYSIS) Pope Francis’ recent apostolic journey to Hungary (my home) was at once exciting and disconcerting. A papal visit is always exciting, and like other Christians in Hungary (Catholic and not), I was encouraged by the Holy Father’s presence among us. Conversely it was hard not to be worried about the apparent imprimatur that might be given to the “political Christianity” championed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz government.

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Interview With Author Bradley Onishi On What Created The Religious Right

Religious studies scholar Bradley Onishi traces the modern history of Christian nationalism and how it relates to current events in his new book “Prepping for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism — and What Comes Next.” He starts with how a select group of Supreme Court cases led to the creation of the modern religious right and how they moved to support right-wing populist leaders. Onishi connects this history to the Donald Trump presidency and the attempted coup on Jan. 6, 2021.

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Ukrainian Churches Unable To Function As Russian Forces Arrest Priests

Russia’s National Guard seized two priests in Russian-occupied Berdyansk on Nov. 16. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Donetsk Exarchate denies Russian claims that Father Ivan Levytsky and Father Bohdan Heleta stored explosives in the church and had “extremist” literature.

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Whenever Donald Trump Era Ends, What Will America’s Religion Landscape Look Like?

(OPINION) Despite what some conservatives think, former President Donald Trump maintains a huge sway over a large segment of the U.S. electorate. What that means for religion in the United States, once the Trump years come to an end, remains to be seen.

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As Russia-Ukraine War Escalates, Some Ukrainians Wonder, ‘Does God love Russians?’

Yes, God loves Russians, Sorina Vintila told Zahar, a five-year-old Ukrainian refugee and his classmates. But “God doesn’t like when we are doing bad things. It makes him sad. God wants us to listen and obey him, just as Samuel did.”

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Pope Francis Makes Passionate Plea For Putin To End Cycle Of ‘Violence And Death’ In Ukraine

In his weekly Sunday address from the Vatican, Pope Francis appealed to Vladimir Putin to end the military escalation in Ukraine, decried the threat of nuclear war and asked the Russian leader to “stop this spiral of violence and death.” The pontiff added he was “saddened at the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression they have suffered.”

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Ukraine War Savagery Will Loom Over This Year's World Council Of Churches Assembly

(OPINION) If Russian invaders continue their current aggression, how much of Ukraine will be turned to rubble, and how many innocent civilians will be dead by Aug. 31? That's opening day for the 11th Global Assembly in the 74-year history of the World Council of Churches planned to begin in August.

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Just Say No: The Four-Letter Word Religion Writers Really Want To Avoid

This week’s Weekend Plug-in reflects on debate over the use of the term “cult” in religion news stories. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Pope Francis Consecrates Russia And Ukraine, Calls It A 'Spiritual Act' Amid War

Pope Francis offered up a special prayer for Ukraine and Russia in connection with a Marian apparition that’s over 100 years old. The pope called on all bishops, priests and believers to join him in the consecration of Ukraine and Russia, an act triggered by a 1917 apocalyptic vision of Mary to three children in the Portuguese city of Fatima.

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Pope Urges Patriarch Kirill To Use ‘Language Of Jesus’ After Russia invades Ukraine

Pope Francis — in a private video call on March 16 with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church — said religious leaders “must not use the language of politics, but the language of Jesus.” Francis’ remarks to Patriarch Kirill, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, were the latest in a series of moves to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

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Stories About Ukrainian Jews? Try A 1,000-Year History, The Pale Of Settlement And A Global Diaspora

(OPINION) Ukraine has one of the five largest Jewish communities in Europe. Prior to the start of the current civilian refugee exodus, Ukrainian Jews numbered an estimated 100,000-200,000 individuals, down from nearly a half-million in 1989.

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Must Reads: Understanding The Russia-Ukraine War From A Religious Perspective

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the religion angles key to understanding the Russia-Ukraine war. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Prominent Christian Leaders And Groups Face Reckoning Over Praise for Putin

For the past century, America’s conservative Christians and politicians were united in the belief that the communist USSR — and later, Russia — was anti-American, anti-God and a threat to the world. But recently, some Christian nonprofits have consistently praised Russia as a global beacon of hope for families and the survival of Christianity.

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As Russia Invades Ukraine, Students Abroad Fear For Their Families

Students from Lithuania’s LCC International University, 20% of whom are from Ukraine, rallied to express support for Ukraine against Russian aggression this week. LCC is a novel, faith-based university that brings Russians, Ukrainians and many others together to learn and interact.

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Russia Attacks Ukraine: Why Some Experts Insist Putin Is Motivated By Religion

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the role that some experts see religion playing in Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Plus, catch up, as always, on all the week’s best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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