Double Standards: Coercive Tactics in the name of God
RUSSIAN ORTHODOX BISHOP PRESSURES OTHER CHRISTIANS
CHURCH PLANTERS ON SAKHALIN ISLAND WRITE OPEN LETTER CONCERNING CRITICISM
FROM RUSSIAN ORTHODOX BISHOP
Bishop's Newspaper Article Calls For
"Cleansing" Of Religious Sects
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
YUZNOH SAKHALINSK, RUSSIA (ANS) -- An
American missionary pastor and church planter has written an open letter to
Christians around the world to bring attention to the situation among Christians
on Sakhalin Island in Russia.
Pastor Dominguez and his family are missionaries and church planters in Yuznoh
Sakhalinsk, Russia, where the Russian Orthodox Church has published an article
in a local newspaper criticizing their work.
"I am writing this letter to draw your attention to some recent events that
are of great concern to us and events that should be of concern to those who
advocate human rights, religious freedom, and tolerance," wrote Domiguez in
correspondence made available to ASSIST News Service (ANS).
"My family and I are U.S. citizens and Christian missionaries in Yuznoh
Sakhalinsk, Russia. We have been living in Russia for approximately 2.5 years
and we pastor a Christian church that we founded by the name of Victory Chapel
Christian Evangelical Church.
"The last few months our church has come under much difficulties in trying
to register itself with the state. We have had the assistance and approval of
the local Russian Christian Union of Churches, however the paper work has been
denied by the state government administration because of one technicality or the
other. Our church has been repeatedly visited by the FSB (formerly KGB) and (I
have been told), I am currently being investigated by the FSB.
"However, these situations, while not convenient, are not of great regard
to us nor are they the concerns that I would like to bring to your attention.
What has been of great significance to us and what we believe should be of
concern to the world is growing negativity and persecution against Protestants,
Catholics and Jews."
Domiguez said that on the July 30 "a local newspaper printed a sensational
and accusative article about our conservative church creating an outrageous and
deceitful image and paralleling the leadership to the TV evangelist stereo-type.
Nevertheless, the matter which I believe will of regard to many are the comments
made and published in the newspaper 'TELEMIR' made by a high-ranking regional
leader of the Russian Orthodox church which are reminiscent of comments made by
political regimes that later began to implement genocidal 'cleansings' to
achieve their goals."
The following is a translation and excerpts from the actual text: (According to
Dominguez, the person speaking these words is known by his title as His Holiness
Danielle, who is currently the Russian Orthodox Bishop of Sakhalin and the Kuril
Islands, Territory of the Russian Federation).
The article states: "Under Protestantism are many sects such as the
Baptists, Adventists, Pentecostals, Evangelical Christians and others…All of
these sects are alien to our people…
"I consider the spread of these churches in the territory of Russia and the
numbers on Sakhalin is not only a Russian Orthodox problem but a government
problem.
"I am embittered when my countrymen appear like natives who need nothing
except a banana. And the government must defend the Russian people, if not then
this must be done by the MEN of Russia themselves…There came to me some people
who announced that around 7 to 8 p.m. in the city there would be a concert
presentation of 'Jesus-my friend.' There performances remind me more of a
process to make zombies. I believe we have the Cossaks*(1), we have the police,
and even or maybe we need to create groups of good willing young people who must
go on to patrol the streets, and to ask the performers to show their permits
from the Ministry of Justice. If not then propose to thrust them off our streets
and out of our cities.
"In the words of Andrei Kyuraeva*(2): “My flock/(congregation), does not
go to the temples/churches of these sects/groups. In the churches/temples of
these sects, attend those Russian people who are not considered members of our
church who for the present moment are located in a state of ignorance and
blindness.”
"Therefore because of the problem and occurrence on Sakhalin of the
increasing number Protestants, trying to transform Sakhalin…, All of us, must
cleanse Sakhalin of every possible sect."
Dominguez said: "The alarming issue in this article that I believe warrants
international media attention is the rally and challenge 'to cleanse' Sakhalin
and Russia of Protestants and by inference Catholics. Both ethnic cleansing and
religious ethnic cleansing were seen recently in Bosnia, and East Timor, it was
practiced by Hitler and the Nazis and in the historical record it was usually
genocidal in nature.
"International media attention to this threatening dilemma may quench the
sparks of racism and religious persecution that are attempting to ignite.
Because, at the same time of this aggressive posture by the Orthodox Church
towards Protestants and other faiths, economic development especially from
foreign investment related to the oil industry promises hope to many young
people on Sakhalin Island. For many, these relationships are very important both
to the majority of residents and local Sakhalin government as well as to the
Russian Federation.
"Your prayers, cooperation and assistance to bring this matter to global
public awareness is greatly appreciated," Dominguez said.
Domiguez and his wife became Christians in 1985, entered full-time ministry in
Charleston, South Carolina, where they pastored a church for 2 1/2 years before
becoming missionaries in Puerto Rico. They were there for 5 1/2 years before
moving to Russia more than two years ago. They are sponsored by their home
church, Door Christian Fellowship (a Christian full gospel evangelical church)
in Jacksonville, North Carolina. They are missionaries with Christian Fellowship
Ministries.
Tuesday, August 20, 2002