Hundreds of experts sign declaration condemning religious ideology driving the Russian President’s invasion of Ukraine

Mar 24, 2022 by Jill

by Alex Collett, Premier:

Hundreds of experts have signed a declaration denouncing religious ideology that is driving the Russian President’s invasion of Ukraine.

Eastern Orthodox Christian scholars from around the world have supported a statement to express their sheer shock and horror at the suffering in Ukraine and the weaponization of Christianity in Russia.

The declaration, which has been organised by Dr Brandon Gallaher from the University of Exeter and Dr Pantelis Kalaitzidis, from Volos Academy, and is now available in over 10 languages.

It has been signed by over a 1,000 people so far.

Dr Brandon Gallaher tells Premier: “The religious ideology is so wicked, that where there is some sort of pretence that this is an act of love by invading another country.

“It distorts the gospel, it twists it, it makes it into something which is an absolute contradiction of love, which demands that you serve not only the brother, but the enemy, the one who disagrees with you.

“Christians are called to be peacemakers, not warmongers, to stand up for justice and to condemn injustice.

“I think, it varies widely in all the different Christian churches, but particularly in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Christian churches there’s a lot of talk like ‘let’s pray for peace.’

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