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Madonna Should Be Denied Russian Visa - Theologian
Madonna
© AFP 2013/ Fred DufourArchdeacon Andrei Kurayev
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir VyatkinMOSCOW, April 5 (RIA Novosti)
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Gay Propaganda Bill Challenged in CourtA prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian has called on the government to deny a visa to Madonna, who plans to lend her support to the gay community in St. Petersburg during an upcoming concert in the city.
Madonna pledged her support to the gay community following March 7 passage of a law in St. Petersburg that bans promotion of gay culture and pedophelia among minors.
Archdeacon Andrei Kurayev, a professor at the Moscow Theological Academy, urged the St. Petersburg authorities to ask the Foreign Ministry to deny a visa for Madonna, “because the purpose of her visit, as she put it herself, is to violate [regional] Russian law.”
Madonna who is scheduled to tour St. Petersburg with her new album on August 9, came out in defense of sexual minorities in her facebook account, saying she would “speak up for the gay community… and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed” during her concert.
Kurayev also called on ordinary citizens to express their opinion. “It is very important that various people, perhaps public organizations, could say they would assess St. Petersburg authorities depending on how they behave in this situation,” he said.
But he warned against any public protest from believers against Madonna’s concert, saying it would only provide extra advertising.
If she violates the new St. Petersburg law, Madonna would have to pay a fine of 5,000 rubles ($170) and the concert organizers would face tougher sanctions.
The bill came into force on March 17. The St. Petersburg LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) group Coming Out said the bill was “homophobic” and aimed at diverting public attention from Russia’s “real political and social problems.”
The law was also proposed to be made into a federal law by Siberian legislators. It follows similar legislation in the southern Astrakhan region and the central Ryazan and Kostroma regions.
Homosexuality was illegal in the Soviet Union and was only decriminalized by President Boris Yeltsin in 1993, but anti-gay sentiment is still widespread.
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- bielecPolitical dimension of Madonna's tour19:31, 05/04/2012"To achieve world government, it is necessary to remove from the minds of men their individualism, loyalty to family traditions, national patriotism, and religious dogmas."
- Brock Chisholm, Director UN World Health Organization (1948-53).
Simply speaking, this is not about demoralization. It is about destruction of a traditional family model and destruction of church - two institutions that preserve culture and value systems independently of the state and media. It is about globalization and the New World Order. Demoralization is the first step. Denationalization is the last. - bielecYankee go home !19:43, 05/04/2012If she wants to "give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed", I suggest that she tours Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Libya, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and a host of other countries targeted by the USA, Israel, and their allies.
Guantanamo Bay would be a good destination, too. Or, Occupy the Wall Street movement. There are many choices and options closer home. There is no need to meddle in other countries and other cultures. - arnoldvinette@yahoo.comWelcome to Saint Petersburg Madonna!22:50, 05/04/2012This was a wonderful article to read.
I am very happy to hear that Madonna is heading to Saint Petersburg to support the Russian Gay community and hopefully educate the Russian Orthodox and the Russian government that instead of alienating the gay community that they should be embracing them showing tolerance, acceptance and love for everyone's unique characteristics no matter their sexual preference.
With regards to the new law Saint Petersburg that discriminates against gays it needs to be dismissed as being not only illegal but unconstitutional by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev or Vladimir Putin. NOT to do so shows a complete lack of courage and cowardice on their part.
I would hate to think of Dmitry Medvedev or Vladimir Putin as cowards unable to show leadership qualities of tolerance and acceptance of ALL Russian citizens, especially the Russian gay community who have extra life hurdles of community acceptance.
With regards to the prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian, I can tell you right now beyond a shadow of doubt that in his next life this guy is coming back as a gay Russian and most probably as a gay Russian activist to make up for all of his intolerance in this life time.
This is NOT the kind of person you want as a prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian.
A prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian should be preaching tolerance and acceptance of ALL Russian citizens, especially those who are gay.
Further more a prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian should be embracing Madonna's welcome with open arms, tolerance and acceptance.
That he is not means that this prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian needs to be removed from his post.
Why?
Because this prominent Russian Orthodox Church theologian is teaching intolerance and non-acceptance of a specific group of Russian citizens based solely on their sexual preference which is completely beyond their control as it is genetic. This type of person does not belong in the Russian Orthodox church as a leader and spokesman of the people of Russia.
To learn more about what it means to be an accepting, caring, tolerant, loving human being read these two books by Michael Newton. Learn more about yourself, the people around you, and the meaning of life.
Journey of Souls - Michael Newton
Destiny of Souls - Michael Newton
http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=Journey+of+Souls+pdf&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_en-GBCA427CA427&q=journey+of+souls+pdf&gs_upl=0l0l0l41770lllllllllll0&aqi=g2g-v3&pbx=1
Welcome to Saint Petersburg Madonna!
I hope you have a great concert.
Thank you for supporting the gay community in Saint Petersburg and showing the general Russian population that the only way to treat a Russian gay citizen is with kindness, respect, tolerance and love!
In fact that is the way to treat ANY Russian citizen no matter what their sexual preference.
Arnold Vinette
Ottawa, Canada
Heterosexual but not that it should matter. Treat everyone with tolerance, acceptance, kindness, respect and love.
