As a matter of fact Orthodox Christianity is absolutely unique experience among Christians over the world. Being eradicated and coming back as religion does: not as the shiny sun burning all around like red star, but as the Moon, cool and exact, visible and invisible, but always present. Thus speaking about conditional love to Russia (?) and suggesting that her progress demands “separation of state and church” would require the decent remark that Orthodox Church in Russia deserves – at least – so much official recognition as much Western civilization let churches enjoy in the meantime, when Orthodox were buried. If allowing – all of a sudden – that Islam has right (otherwise denied to Orthodox Christianity, which should remain separate) – to feel that they belong to national tradition and culture of large Russia … - then we have to compare this situation with the one who recently damaged Yugoslavia. The absurdity is that no one on Balkans better understood each other than traditional Serbs and traditional Muslims. One should watch the ties between Belgrade and Istanbul! The point is – if something is religious at the outskirt of evident world – than this is a minimal damage religions do when conflicting! They have no nukes, no arms, they don’t need them. We forgot that the first lessons on assertiveness we inherit from religious traditions, not from sciences. Imagine today any government pushed in the exhausting reiterated force interventions – because someone “loves Russia” but demands her to refrain from the huge peaceful energy in people who managed to know the size of the own identity without smashing each other. No government can afford it. Religions are doing their services and we expect them to work! We don’t allow them to enjoy the comfort of separation.

ProtectorsOfBrothers on the contrary, the last thing Russia needs is to consult with the head of the Orthodox Church on how to effective deal with Islamic extremism in Russia! This will instead foster competition between the majority Christians and the minority Muslims. Meetings between the President and religious leaders are necessary but they must be carefully managed. Islam is the second largest religion in Russia and its counterproductive to reduce Islam and Muslims in Russia to a fight against extremism. Instead, all communities must feel that they belong. I often read another wonderful Russian website "The Voice of Russia." I like the site for all the great information it provides. However, one of the striking feature of the site is the total absence of reference to Muslim traditions and values in Russia. I think the best way to fight extremism is to make ordinary Muslims in Russia feel that they belong to the national tradition and culture.