Cyrill Vatomsky, Where All Politics Are Global

While in Russia, I am forced to notice a very different attitude to religion then I remember from the glory days of the USSR and from attitudes I have seen in the USA over the last 16 years. People seem to be much more religious: openly, visibly, almost demonstratively. Sceptical as I am, I find it strange that so many  suddenly became religious after  years  of atheism.

Being religious isn't anything bad in my book, although  an atheist, I am sure I can not appreciate the  full scope of it. However,   when the issue of separation of Church and State, or rather the issue of a State Religion is discussed, attitudes of many Russians (from  personal conversations, as well as from listening to Echo Moskvy - about the only talk radio station worth a damn in the   whole country - I am totally baffled.

It seems that even the most advanced commentators from Echo Moskvy do not get the simple  concept that no matter how   good or bad a religion can be, a state religion is nothing      good, and in this 21st century, we should not be cow-towing to the leader of Ingushetia that banned drinking and smoking  during Ramadan. 

Then there was a comment from a caller that everybody seemed to agree on - well, since Christianity celebrates Christmas and Christmas is made State Holiday in Russia, then it is OK for other religions to do the same. Well, there is a well of difference between celebrating Christmas voluntarily and being forced   to abstain from drinking and smoking.

More on my trip to Russia later. I found a decent  internet cafe, so it should be  easier now.