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28 February 2020, 19:33Significance of belief in God to Russia's development should be reflected in Russian Constitution - Klishas
Moscow, February 28, Interfax - There are plans to include a mention of faith in God in the Russian Constitution, Andrey Klishas, senator and co-chair of the working group on amendments to the Russian Constitution, said.
At the same time, Russia will remain a secular state, Klishas said.
"In regard to Russia's multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and cultural diversity, Russia has developed as a state where faith in God and recognition of historical state unity have been the foundation of the development of the state and the people for many centuries. These provisions should definitely be reflected in the Constitution," he told Interfax on Friday.
The provision on faith in God can be reflected in Chapter 3 of the constitution, Klishas said.
The Interreligious Council, a session of which was held on Friday, recognizes the importance of these issues, and the leaders of Russia's traditional religious organizations agree on that, he said.
"It's important to say that Russia remains a secular state. In regard to the provisions of Article 28 of the constitution, every citizen in modern Russia has the right to freely confess any religion or not to confess any religion at all. The principle of a secular state is unshakable. Everyone will decide on his attitude to God for himself," Klishas said.
Every Russian will agree that it is necessary to respect "the memory of ancestors who gave us a great country with faith in God," he said.
The working group has supporters and opponents of mentioning faith in God in the constitution, Klishas said.
"The position has been reported to the president, and he will make a decision," he said.
The proposal to mention God in the Russian constitution was made by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia on February 1.
The proposal was supported by Talgat Tajuddin, head of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Russia.
Opinions against and in favor of mentioning God in the constitution were stated during a discussion of this initiative. |