Legal Department demands that KIIS remove survey on UOC
The KIIS logo. Photo: KIIS
The Legal Department of the UOC has commented on the methods of a sociological survey which appeared on the website of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) about the attitude of Ukrainians to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The lawyers noted that the very wording of the question, where the UOC was called the "Moscow Patriarchate", is manipulative and pushes respondents to the "right" answer.
"There are no registered churches of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine. The religious organizations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church registered in Ukraine under the current legislation do not contain in their constituent documents provisions on belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate and cannot refer to it in any way," the lawyers said.
The lawyers also pointed out that the use by sociologists of expressions such as "the Kremlin's fifth column" in reference to the UOC is a deliberate incitement of religious hatred.
The text states that "the UOC officially appeals to the KIIS with a demand to immediately remove from its official website the information about this survey and not to engage in manipulations in the field of religion in the future”.
The lawyers inform the KIIS that if there is no response to the appeal, they will "be forced to apply to law enforcement agencies with the appropriate notification".
The KIIS is a private Ukrainian company cooperating with the National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy".
The UOJ has previously analysed the manipulation and lies of the KIIS opinion polls about the UOC.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".