What Is Offending Religious Feelings?

This was a question I wanted to ask to those who supported the law voted by the Russian Federation High Legislative Chamber on June 26, 2013 and signed by President Vladimir Putin four days later.  My meetings with several officials, in Moscow on July 3, gave me this opportunity. It is evident that the Russian people supported this law. The Pussy Riot trial in August 2012 demonstrated that in their large majority Russians were opposed to any kind of provocation that could offend religious feelings.

Now of course my question was: How to define a religious feeling? I had the impression that it was not very well understood. Of course the text of the law gives some answers.  The offense has to be: “public actions expressing clear disrespect for society and committed with the goal of offending religious feelings of the faithful.” Does it mean if an Atheist is walking in the street lifting up a poster with printed in large letters: “God does not exist”? Or: “The Bible is not true.” my religious feelings will be offended. If I do the same but with the slogan: “Jesus is the only Savior”, or, “The Bible is the Word of God”, I am sure that many will be offended. Does it means that I should be punished by 1 to 3 years in prison or fined or more?

Of course the author of the legislation aimed at the very aggressive attacks with the purpose of offending believers. One of the officials argued about the value of religious symbols, paintings, icons, or books. How could we evaluate the price of the offense? A sacred religious object is more than an object. I agree that it is not easy to evaluate the price of religious feelings and that is part of the problem. The same religious object may have different values for believers. For most Evangelicals the Bible is the Word of God, but it is also a book. I imagine someone burning a Bible in the front of my church. I would be shocked but not at the point of asking him or her to spend 3 years in prison. I can imagine too that for some other believers burning their sacred book will be a major offense and will be severely punished. Will the law be implemented on the same level when it is to protect the religious feelings of religious minorities?

My objections did not impress very much. One of the answers was: “Since we have voted this law we have recorded fewer attacks on religious symbols.”  

I did not convince and I was not convinced either. I still believe that such legislation may lead to some abuses and to threaten the freedom of expression. It could also increase the power of some religious organizations and their alliance with the state.

Finally, my last question was about imprisonment. We all know the very negative effects of imprisonment on people. It destroys lives and creates martyrs. I guess an active education about religious values and respect of believers and non-believers would be the best answer. After all, offending religious feelings has to do with human rights and religious freedom.

-- Dr. John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association