Russian Orthodox Patriarch more concerned about intrusion in family life than about domestic violenc

[Cora Persephona]

In case you thought the Orthodox Church was somehow more Christ like, fear no more. Church against intrusion into family life: Patriarch in comments on domestic violence bill:

MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. The Russian Orthodox Church is strongly against any domestic violence, but it is equally against intrusion into family life from outside, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill said at a sermon on Wednesday.

"Bills on preventing the so-called domestic abuse, domestic violence are being considered by the State Duma at the moment," the patriarch said. "Of course, no violence should be allowed in families, but there is also something dangerous in the tendencies that are now taking shape, including in legislatively, when under the pretext of fighting family disadvantages, certain people are trying to legitimize meddling in the family life by external forces, public or state organizations or some volunteers who are supposedly meant to help resolve family problems," he said.

According to Patriarch Kirill, much caution is required in this intrusion into the family life. "That is why, being categorically against any family abuse, and seeing it as a big sin and a crime, we have to raise our voice to protect the family space against any intrusion from outside, under whatever pretexts," the patriarch stressed.

He did admit, however, the problem of domestic violence in Russian families. "We often witness such serious family conflicts among our next-door neighbors," the patriarch stressed. "Some have also witnessed real violence and the pain that one of the spouses feels physically or spiritually," he added.

Last Friday a bill on preventing domestic abuse was uploaded to the website of the Federation Council upper house of the Russian parliament. Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said the bill would be discussed thoroughly once again with public organizations, including those that come out against these initiatives, as well as with representatives of the Orthodox Church and other confessions. Matviyenko pledged that constructive proposals would be taken into consideration in the final version of the bill.

For context, from another article:

Russia is the only country in the Council of Europe that has no criminal statute on domestic violence. Of the 47 member states, only Russia and Azerbaijan have failed to sign the 2011 Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women and domestic violence.
More than 40 times over the last decade, bills on domestic violence have been introduced in the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, but none of them has passed even the first reading.
In each instance, the efforts have met staunch resistance from socially conservative organizations and self-professed advocates of so-called traditional values.

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To the bolded: I assume not interfering in the "sacred family space" very conveniently applies also to the church. After all, witnessing violence and pain does not mean you should do anything about it, does it? Women's, children's and yes, sometimes men's lives as well are not as important as having the right to do anything you want. 

(I'm not sure if I posted this in the right place, I remember there was a dedicated space for Orthodox/Catholic discussions, but I can'y seem to find it. Please move it to a more appropriate place if this is not it.)

 

[samurai_sarah]

Well, isn't that rather in line with Russia's abolition of domestic violence laws? It does make me wonder about the separation between state and church. Here I go a-wondering again...

Edited December 6, 2019 by samurai_sarah

[Xan]

Putin has been encouraging the Russian Orthodox church and their own brand of fundamentalism.  He has seen how well pairing religion with politics works in this country and he's using it in Russia.  They even have their own type of Quiverfull groups who are against birth control.  And, yes - some of them home school.

Fundamentalist religions tend to be against secular laws that punish domestic violence.  Patriarchy requires that women be subservient and that can sometimes include abuse.  And, honestly, Russia has never been in the forefront in defending women.  Sure - they're fine with having women in all types of jobs but there is still a core belief that men should be the government leaders and heads of businesses.

[Cora Persephona]

I agree with your points about Russia, this is clearly no surprise and I know I shouldn't be surprised that a traditional church like the orthodox church is (no, it does not deserve to be capitalised) is trying to keep women subservient at the cost of their lives, but ugh! Domestic violence is an issue that is generally neglected in my country as well (also mainly orthodox), so this hits close to home. The church basically saying that abuse is bad and all, but people's lives and well being matter less than the right to beat up your family make me sick. But of course, abortion is bad! Why are some types of violence (because they see abortion as killing) bad and others aren't? Ah yes, because women are only allowed to be victims.* 

*Not saying that women cannot be violent, but I don't think those women are the ones that they are trying to protect.

[Marmion]

In Russia , from what I have just read , it is not unheard of for such violence to be directed at children even .  https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/328752-why-russians-beat-children-corporal-punishment   And also , not  too surprisingly , Russia has also relaxed laws pertaining to domestic violence towards wives .  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/0dd0ab91-145a-4137-bf87-28d0498c8d56 

[zee_four]

On 12/5/2019 at 11:15 PM, Xan said:

Putin has been encouraging the Russian Orthodox church and their own brand of fundamentalism.  He has seen how well pairing religion with politics works in this country and he's using it in Russia.  They even have their own type of Quiverfull groups who are against birth control.  And, yes - some of them home school.

Fundamentalist religions tend to be against secular laws that punish domestic violence.  Patriarchy requires that women be subservient and that can sometimes include abuse.  And, honestly, Russia has never been in the forefront in defending women.  Sure - they're fine with having women in all types of jobs but there is still a core belief that men should be the government leaders and heads of businesses.

And worse yet they don't consider it "abuse". They use terms like "training" "correcting" "Christian discipline" etc. and they apply to both women and children since they're seen as the same agency (or lack there of) wise.

Then they turn it more around and say of course they hate abuse! But they're afraid their "non absicmusive"training methods would be "misconstrued" all so evil secular state organizations can infiltrate their family life, which is the whole reason for these laws in their eyes, so evil secular government can "persecute" "good" "Christians".?

It's just like the racists who say they think racism is bad but they're not racists. It's some mental gymnastics for the intelligent and analytical but most people who say this truly believe the contradiction that they spew. If they even think about it beyond what their GOP and church leaders tell the. to say, racism is bad and they don't think they're bad so therefore they can't be racist.

It's sad but these followers are kept so indoctrinated they believe all this and believe the secular government is the most evil so they oppose in force anything that gives the government or secular groups more agency.