Russia recently imposed new restrictions on religious groups outside the Russian Orthodox Church. Although some allege that this is a return to a Stalinist state, these actions are best understood in the immediate context of Septemberâ??s parliamentary elections as well as in the longer term as Russiaâ??s continuing suspicion of â??foreignâ? influences.
First, is important to understand what religious freedom is. Individual religious liberty is not just being alone with one's god in a closet because religion is a collective activity. It includes meeting with other believers, discussing one's faith with others, talking about faith with oneâ??s children, reading and publishing religious materials, and the like. Many fundamental rights are involved with religious liberty that directly stem from this â??first freedomâ? including the right to assemble, freedom of speech, property rights, and the right to educate one's children in the faith. Russia has long restricted these things and the updated 2016 rules make it increasingly difficult for evangelicals, in particular, to practice their faith openly in Russia and associate themselves with global evangelical networks.
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