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MP seeks to establish Orthodox Christianity as national Constitution basis

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MP seeks to establish Orthodox Christianity as national Constitution basis

Center left MP Yelena Mizulina, known for her pro-life stance and conflicts with leaders of the LGBT community, has suggested amending the constitution emphasizing the exclusive role of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Mizulina said at the Friday session of the parliamentary group  for the protection of Christian values, that the Russian  constitution should include a preamble saying that “Orthodox  Christianity is the basis of national and cultural originality of  Russia”.

The move gained support from other participants in the session  who represented the majority caucus of United Russia and the  Communist Party caucus.

Currently the Constitution describes Russia as a secular state  and protects freedom of conscience. Four religions –   Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism are sometimes called   ‘traditional’ in the mass media and politicians’ statements, but  there is no legal basis for that.

In 2012 nationalist lawmaker Sergey Baburin also suggested  mentioning Christianity in Russia’s constitution. Baburin said  the country could follow Georgia’s example and underline the  Church’s role in the nation’s history while still protecting the  equality and freedom of all beliefs. Back then, the move failed  to gain sufficient support.

According to a poll conducted by the Levada research center in  late October this year, over 70 percent of Russian Federation  citizens consider themselves Orthodox Christians. 44 percent of  respondents hold the Russian Orthodox faith as the official  religion of the country. 56 percent agreed that the Russian  Orthodox Church played a major role in Russian history.

Yelena Mizulina represents the moderate leftist party Fair Russia  and chairs the Lower House’s Committee for Family Women and  Children. Earlier this year the committee developed a concept of  the national family policy that stressed the role of a  traditional ‘nuclear family’ and suggested strengthening it by  supporting traditional religions.

The concept caused heated discussions and some celebrities and  gay rights activists started posting obscenities about Mizulina  on their social network pages and various blogs. In July this  year Russia’s Investigative Committee – a federal agency for  investigating high-profile crimes – reported that they started a criminal inquiry   “into insulting a representative of a state authority” but  did not mention the names of any suspects.

In November speech, Mizulina lashed out at surrogacy saying that  the practice, along with abortion, would eventually lead to  humanity’s extinction. Earlier this year she also suggested  making ‘morning after’ pills a prescription drug.

http://rt.com/politics/russian-orthodox-constitution-religion-150/

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