The head of the Institute of Religion and Politics, a religious scholar Anton Ignatenko named the priority tasks of the state in the religious sphere.

Ignatenko said this in an interview with RIA Novosti, commenting on the appointment of a new head of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, Issues of Public and Religious Associations. Recall that in this position, the deputy from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Sergei Gavrilov was replaced by a member of the "United Russia" Olga Timofeeva.

According to the expert, the agenda of the new head of the Committee will include closely related issues, namely, the protection of communities from the influence of extremists from abroad, financial assistance to religious organizations and the formation of a respectful attitude towards traditions.

In the above list of tasks, the religious scholar pointed out the importance of preventing the state's selective attitude to the needs of religious communities.

“The third block, which is no less important, is the state’s display of respect for the foundations of the doctrine and worship of religious communities, and not separate ones, elected according to unclear criteria, but all acting in accordance with the law,” he stressed.

Anton Ignatenko noted that currently the institute he heads is working on this topic and is preparing proposals for respecting religions.

“This, it seems, should apply to the actions of bloggers, journalists, but also necessarily - to law enforcement officials, government agencies in general,” the agency's interlocutor explained.

“The main wish for the new head of the committee is to carefully approach the establishment of dialogue and feedback with our religious communities. My many years of experience unequivocally testifies: now they are all very patriotic, "the religious scholar is sure.

As an expert in the field of interaction between the state and religion, Anton Ignatenko is firsthand familiar with religious issues, which he has been dealing with since the 90s: she worked in the Presidential Administration, and then in the Office for Relations with Religious Organizations in the Moscow Government.

After leaving the civil service in 2020, he headed the Institute of Religion and Politics, replacing his father, the orientalist Alexander Ignatenko, in this post.

bbabo.Net