Russian Blasphemy Law

Russia is considering a new law that would curtail blasphemy:

The religious offense law was drafted in the wake of performance group Pussy Riot's “punk prayer” in Moscow’s central cathedral earlier this year. Members of the group were sentenced to two years in a penal colony under the broad charge of hooliganism for a lack of more specific legislation. The bill calls for up to three years’ imprisonment for disrespecting religious sensibilities and is currently being discussed in the Duma.

 The law seeks to punish, with up to a three year prison sentence, those who "disrespect religious sensibilities" which no doubt means the religious sensibilities of the orthodox church specifically. In the town of Rostov-on-Don the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" is being cancelled thanks to the complaints of 18 individuals who say the musical is presenting the image of Christ incorrectly. It seems the production is shutting down rather than risking possible jail time for upsetting the delicate sensibilities of the orthodox church.

I visited Rostov-On-Don(my gf's hometown) in the spring of this year. It's not a very big city though certain areas have some charm and the river is very pretty. The orthodox cathedral is a central part of many Russian cities and Rostov is no different with a fairly large cathedral located at it's center. We had a great time exploring many of these cathedrals in both St. Petersburg(where exist some of the most beautiful religious architecture I've yet seen in my limited travels) and in the area near Rostov. The Church On Spilt Blood in Saint Petersburg is particularly magnificent with incredibly intricate mosaics depicting biblical stories. My favorites were the miracles performed by Jesus and this one in particular of him walking on water.

I resisted the urge to giggle at this early version of a super hero

Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union there has been a great resurgence of open religiosity in the country and many new restoration projects for the churches that survived the U.S.S.R. The problem it now seems is not a suppression of the church but of a suppression of any belief that doesn't support it.

There is a small town called Novocherkassk near Rostov-on-Don with a beautiful Byzantine cathedral located at its heart. We decided to take a look. It was a long train ride through the country side of gorgeous farmland and gleaming green hills and a good trudge up a steeply inclined road on a hot sunny day to visit, but well worth it. Let me stem the objections you may have: Yes, I am an atheist but I am also capable of recognizing impressive architecture. Religion has held sway over nearly all cultures throughout history an as a result of it's monopoly has created some of the greatest works of art. I also have a certain fascination with modes of thought, beliefs, culture and art based upon decidedly irrational ideas. I was excited to see as much of it as I could

Respectfully admiring the cathedral

When we made it to the church we took numerous obligatory photos and headed inside where we proceeded to take more obligatory photos. I spent much of the trip trying not to look American but that camera in my hand was surely an obvious sign. The translation guide sticking out of my back pocket wasn't helping either. We spent maybe fifteen or twenty minutes quietly taking pictures and doing some un-obnoxious gawking before the three of us sat down on some pews in front of the alter. Toma, a friend of the family, facing one way, and my girlfriend and I facing the other. As it turned out, the position of our faces in relation to the alter angered God and upon leaving we were sternly scolded by a couple of nuns who carried the righteous wrath of the heavenly father within them. That was perhaps the one instance during our trip I was glad I didn't speak Russian.

As we were leaving I snickered to my girlfriend, "If only they knew how truly heathenous we really are". They might have had a fit.

I bring this story up given this potential new blasphemy law. If that law had been in place then we might have been  arrested. At least it's not outside the realm of possibility given the vague language that has been proposed and given the charges against Pussy Riot:

Russian lawmakers are calling for jail sentences of up to three years for anyone guilty of offending religious feelings

So, offending the "feelings" of those of the orthodox church will be a crime. This is precisely the reason for the First Amendment in the U.S. and why atheists continue to make a stink over even the most minor infractions lest we slide towards something resembling this law.

I've heard it pointed out that when a religion needs government coercion in order to maintain itself it is already a failed idea.