Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders in Belarus say they remain optimistic despite the passage last week of a tough new national religion law.
Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders in Belarus say they remain optimistic despite the passage last week of a tough new national religion law. After several years of discussion and changes, the new religion law has been accepted by both the lower and upper chambers of parliament in Belarus, and is now ready to be signed by the president.
The bill states that all religions are equal before the law, although some groups are given special consideration. Proponents of the bill say it recognizes the determining role of the Orthodox Church in the historical founding and development of spiritual, cultural, and state traditions of Belarus. The bill also acknowledges the historical roots of Catholicism, Lutheranism, Judaism, and Islam.
Religions considered less “traditional” are given no special status. According to the new law, a local religious group would need to have 20 members, all citizens of Belarus, in order to be registered. Distribution of printed materials would be allowed only in church buildings or sometimes in other places with official permission.
Ivan Ostrovsky, Global Mission director for the church in Euro-Asia, and a native of Belarus, points out that all Adventist congregations in the country currently have their own church buildings. “Most have already been registered,” he says. “Only our smallest groups of believers may have some problems [because of the new rule requiring 20 members].”
Moisei Ostrovsky, president of Adventist Church in Belarus, says he and his fellow administrators believe the church can still fulfill the “commission of God” in spite of the changed conditions.
According to Valery Ivanov, communication director for Adventists in Euro-Asia, the new restrictions relating to religious literature could pose the greatest challenge for the church. “Virtually all Belarussians speak Russian, so we usually print our magazines and books in Russia and send them to Belarus,” says Ivanov. “Now, if the law is signed, apparently our official church magazine and other publications must be checked by authorities before distribution. It is not yet clear exactly how this law would be enforced.
“At the same time, I’m pleased that the new law says nothing about Internet communications, which can cross any international borders,” he adds.
It is not yet known if the new law will impact a number of recently established “home churches” in Belarus. These new companies are a part of the so-called 300 Program—a plan to established 300 new congregations in the Euro-Asia region before the end of 2003. Valery explains that some of these groups may not have the required 20 members yet. “Much will depend on good relationships with local authorities,” he says.