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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Speaking as a "Russian" (a convert monk in the Russian Church) I really would ask that this be viewed more dispassionately. Whereas we in the West are quite familiar with the Salvation Army and its extensive network of social works, in Russia their activity is something new and they are seen as a cult, as much as any of the other cults which have assailed Russia and its reviving spiritual life since the fall of the Communist government. Because the SA chooses not to practice even Baptism, many Russians, including the Church, do not see them as Christian. Under the Soviets the Baptism of an under-18 child was recorded in the parents' internal passports. This was a momentous decision because the entry in the passport effectively stopped the upward career of those parents - and now we have a group from the West telling Russians that Baptism is unnecessary to be a Christian! The Russian Orthodox Church is itself involved with the provision of charitable works such as soup kitchens, shelters for orphans, alcoholics, and it see the intrusion of the SA as dangerous for the spiritual life of the nation, since along with the soup there comes the SA teaching of non-Baptism. John, do you live in Oman? If your hackles are so raised, how about pointing them at the legitimate grievances which Christians have in Oman. Do Christians there still have to meet in walled-off compounds owned by the Omani government? And is it still an offence to take any Christian material out of those compounds and distribute it? Is it still illegal to sell the Bible in Oman? Fr Ambrose ___________________________________ ---- Original Message ----- From: Angus Graham <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2001 3:05 AM Subject: [M-R] Salvation Army > medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture > > 'The Russians' (i.e. no doubt ALL of them) are currently conspiring to > stop all activities of the SA in Moscow. Here, surely, is an area where > even the most reclused among us need to stand up and do something? The > SA has a website at <www.salvationarmy.org>. The privations these people > accept daunt me. Money always helps, but also do prayers and thoughts. > In 1919 they picked up my grandad from the streets of Rotheram, fed him, > clothed him, gave him an address, and a year or so later he met my > grandmother. A direct result is that I am now a barb in your fleshes, > for which I do not apologise. We have responsibilities beyond the > medieval. Fight back! > > Angus, Oman > > ********************************************************************** > To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME > to: [log in to unmask] > To send a message to the list, address it to: > [log in to unmask] > To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion > to: [log in to unmask] > In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: > [log in to unmask] > For further information, visit our web site: > http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html > ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html