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Communists Want Religious ‘Extremism’ to Be Punishable by Law

03.02.2014, 16:35
The Communist Party of Ukraine on the pages of the state newspaper Voice of Ukraine advocates the deliberalization of Ukrainian religious law.

The Communist Party of Ukraine on the pages of the state newspaper Voice of Ukraine advocates the deliberalization of Ukrainian religious law.

Among other, mainly political demands, the Communists offered their suggestions for Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine on the freedom of conscience and religion. In particular, the Communists propose to supplement it with the following: “Religious associations whose activities undermine the independence of Ukraine and the morality of the Ukrainian society, and who harm human health and pose a threat to human life are prohibited in the territory of Ukraine.”

Member of the Presidium of the Communist Party and MP of Ukraine Oleksandr Holub noted that amendments to the Constitution are necessary for two reasons. First, he commented, “in the country at the moment there are dozens of ‘sects,’ which, frankly, preach totalitarian thinking and rather harmful moral positions concerning civil society.” Second, the “TV recorded how certain denominations, rather than to settle conflicts, inciting hatred toward members of other faiths, nationalities.”

When asked whether there the Communist lawmakers were referring to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, Holub answered evasively. “The information on the Internet that is easily accessible allows people to make their own conclusions,” he said.

We remind that the UGCC recently received a letter from the Ministry of Culture with the threat of suspending its activities because of unauthorized worship. Information later emerged that the Security Service of Ukraine, which initiated the official document, did not direct it only at this church.