I'm quite sure that Putin recalls the impact of religion, and the role that Pope John Paul II had in the fall of the Soviet Union. Appearing to be supportive of religious concerns would go a long way in avoiding a repeat.

https://www.romereports.com/en/2019/06/04/40-years-ago-john-paul-iis-first-visit-to-poland-that-brought-the-collapse-of-communism/

edit to add link

larry culpepper said:

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Do we know much about OP? Are we sure he isn't some Russian propagandist posting from some bunker under the Kremlin?

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No Russkie here. I just like to hear what smart people think.

I'll take Nationalism over Communism any day.

Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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"Putin regards his spiritual destiny as the rebuilding of Christendom, based in Moscow. When the punk band ***** Riot wanted to demonstrate against the President, they chose to do so in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, a vast white and gold edifice, demolished by the Soviets and rebuilt in the Nineties. It is a synthesis of Russia's national and spiritual aspirations. It's not just Russia, it is "Holy Russia", part religious project, part extension of Russian foreign policy. Speaking of Vladimir's mass baptism, Putin explained: "His spiritual feat of adopting Orthodoxy predetermined the overall basis of the culture, civilisation and human values that unite the peoples of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus." He wants to do the same again. And to do this he needs Kyev back. . ."

https://unherd.com/2022/02/putins-spiritual-destiny/

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If this is meant to be some supportive post for Putin, then OP, and anybody who falls for it, is a complete and utterly helpless dumbass. Colossal dumbassery. Tucker Carlson, this includes you, since you seem to think Russia is more tolerant of Christians than the US. My gosh, nobody can really be that utterly stupid and still have viewers...but yet, he does.

Putin has reached Soviet levels of religious repression, including and ESPECIALLY Christians. Russia has become more dangerous to express religious belief by the day over the past several years. Reprisals - arrests, torture, murder...you name it.

My credentials - Under my roof, multiple trips to Ukraine and Russia, Soviet historian and Fulbright scholar in home with degrees in Russian and Russian history, mission trips to Russia, financial support of missionaries in Russia, travel to Russia during Soviet Union, fluent Russian speaker, adopted child from Ukraine...

I just have to speak up when my threshold for stupid is breeched.

torrid said:

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Wait, are people here actually carrying water for Putin?

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Yes…not that big of a leap compared to others they've carried water for on the subject of religious belief.

larry culpepper said:

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Do we know much about OP? Are we sure he isn't some Russian propagandist posting from some bunker under the Kremlin?

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I don't have a tinfoil hat, but since you asked…he has an ag tag and an AFS Donor tag and has an account for a while.

Old McDonald said:

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torrid said:

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Wait, are people here actually carrying water for Putin?

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you didn't get the memo? authoritarian, nationalist, strong man populism is back in vogue baby! putin loves Jesus just like you so it's okay

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Nope, didn't get it. Guess I should watch more Tucker.

BusterAg said:

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Yeah, so this is more like Putin's crusade, to get back land that is Holy to the Russian Orthodox church.

That doesn't make him a good guy, at all. He's using the church to legitimize a tyrannical government that murders its own citizens at will.

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Chem, I assume you're talking about persecution if you don't follow the Russian Orthodox Church? Or teachings within the church have to reflect party positions? If you could share more I think we'd all appreciate it. Thanks.

Aggrad08 said:

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Nothing like a little religious propaganda to dupe conservatives to your side

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Like fear--covid, climate change, etc to dupe libtards to theirs.

one MEEN Ag said:

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Chem, I assume you're talking about persecution if you don't follow the Russian Orthodox Church? Or teachings within the church have to reflect party positions? If you could share more I think we'd all appreciate it. Thanks.

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Here's a start:

Religious persecution

What's interesting is that secular people keep mistaking actions on behalf of a culture (Russian/Christian in part) with real authentic Christianity (living by Jesus precepts).

It shows how little they understand truth faith vs tradition. If they understood the difference they could then separate Christian actions from actions by cultural Christian groups or countries that are completely counter to Christ's missions or imperatives.

WestAustinAg said:

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What's interesting is that secular people keep mistaking actions on behalf of a culture (Russian/Christian in part) with real authentic Christianity (living by Jesus precepts).

It shows how little they understand truth faith vs tradition. If they understood the difference they could then separate Christian actions from actions by cultural Christian groups or countries that are completely counter to Christ's missions or imperatives.

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I do love this response. I'll only add that professing Christians too often demonstrate the same lack of understanding between what is a Christian act vs acts by Christians that are counter to the faith.

I'm not an expert either, but my understanding is there are three major orthodox churches in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic church is in communion with the Roman Catholic church. Our assisting priest is UGCC and tells some horrific stories of persecution by the former Soviet Union. Entire villages were wiped out and bishops and priests martyred. The church went underground until the fall of the Soviet Union. I believe it's the major/predominant church in the western part of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Orthodox church (Russian Orthodox) and Orthodox church of Ukraine are predominant in the eastern side. It's pretty complex, and could lead to more persecution of the UGCC.

Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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"Putin regards his spiritual destiny as the rebuilding of Christendom, based in Moscow. When the punk band ***** Riot wanted to demonstrate against the President, they chose to do so in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, a vast white and gold edifice, demolished by the Soviets and rebuilt in the Nineties. It is a synthesis of Russia's national and spiritual aspirations. It's not just Russia, it is "Holy Russia", part religious project, part extension of Russian foreign policy. Speaking of Vladimir's mass baptism, Putin explained: "His spiritual feat of adopting Orthodoxy predetermined the overall basis of the culture, civilisation and human values that unite the peoples of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus." He wants to do the same again. And to do this he needs Kyev back. . ."

https://unherd.com/2022/02/putins-spiritual-destiny/

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LOL.. Machiavellian soviet spook manipulating the western right .. If he were half as smart as his meme victims think he damn well would be worried about his "spiritual destiny."

Putin bangs teenage ice skaters. Putin tortures people with rape. Putin invades sovereign nations.

Putin claims to be saved by Jesus Christ and people start to support him

Again, Putin isn't a Christian. And another thing, I assure you that Russian Orthodoxy shares little in common with your mega church laser lights shows and evangelical preacher other than a few of the names of characters.

Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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"Putin regards his spiritual destiny as the rebuilding of Christendom, based in Moscow. When the punk band ***** Riot wanted to demonstrate against the President, they chose to do so in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, a vast white and gold edifice, demolished by the Soviets and rebuilt in the Nineties. It is a synthesis of Russia's national and spiritual aspirations. It's not just Russia, it is "Holy Russia", part religious project, part extension of Russian foreign policy. Speaking of Vladimir's mass baptism, Putin explained: "His spiritual feat of adopting Orthodoxy predetermined the overall basis of the culture, civilisation and human values that unite the peoples of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus." He wants to do the same again. And to do this he needs Kyev back. . ."

https://unherd.com/2022/02/putins-spiritual-destiny/

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No total B.S.

Russia has one of the highest abortion rates in the world, has true "no-go" Muslim zones in Chechnya, has a church attendance rate of less than 10% with a bible reading rate of less than 5%. There are strict anti-evangelism laws, and they are invading a fellow Orthodox country. It's a great fantasy to say that Russia is a "Christian" nation. Yes Putin uses the church as an institution to back him, but he's just using the church rather than actually believing and participating.

Raggie21 said:

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Russia has one of the highest abortion rates in the world, has true "no-go" Muslim zones in Chechnya, has a church attendance rate of less than 10% with a bible reading rate of less than 5%. There are strict anti-evangelism laws, and they are invading a fellow Orthodox country. It's a great fantasy to say that Russia is a "Christian" nation. Yes Putin uses the church as an institution to back him, but he's just using the church rather than actually believing and participating.

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You...you...you don't understand...he's a sinner but he's protecting the faith. Like Cyrus. Remember Cyrus?

I Saw those televangelist idiots selling trump/Cyrus merch.

Raggie21 said:

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Russia has one of the highest abortion rates in the world, has true "no-go" Muslim zones in Chechnya, has a church attendance rate of less than 10% with a bible reading rate of less than 5%. There are strict anti-evangelism laws, and they are invading a fellow Orthodox country. It's a great fantasy to say that Russia is a "Christian" nation. Yes Putin uses the church as an institution to back him, but he's just using the church rather than actually believing and participating.

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Carrying on a proud tradition of 1200 years of Russian autocrats.

Jay Reimenschneider said:

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Putin bangs teenage ice skaters. Putin tortures people with rape. Putin invades sovereign nations.

Putin claims to be saved by Jesus Christ and people start to support him

Again, Putin isn't a Christian. And another thing, I assure you that Russian Orthodoxy shares little in common with your mega church laser lights shows and evangelical preacher other than a few of the names of characters.

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Kind of like a former president who claimed same just to get support from evangelicals. Both men use whatever means to benefit themselves

War criminals don't get to build much for very long. He has changed his and his family's destiny for very bad endings.

Aggrad08 said:

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Nothing like a little religious propaganda to dupe conservatives to your side

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Sorry to break it to you, but we don't buy it.

Unlike the left; we live in a world where we analyze information and regularly discard things that don't pass the sniff test.

It seems that you've adopting a baseless world view that has your viewing groups of 'others' with contempt. Back before definitions started changing, liberals claimed to be sharing prejudices...

I'm certainly not claiming everyone buys it but reading this thread it's clear some do. The notion that conservatives don't fall for BS is silly. Q anon levels of silly

Ah, so painting the whole with a brush suited for on the fringe. An excellent way to clearly make a mature point.