Ukrainian philosopher: In religion matter authorities are crossing the line

Andrii Baumeister. Photo: a screenshot of Yevgeny Kiselyov's channel

Ukrainian philosopher and writer Andrii Baumeister criticized the Ukrainian state's desire to strictly control citizens' worldview in religious policy, identity policy and memory culture policy. He stated this in an interview with Yevgeny Kiselyov.

Baumeister noted that free citizens should decide these issues themselves, and the state has no right to interfere if it considers itself European and democratic. According to the philosopher, this weakens Ukraine in its struggle against the enemy.

He said that in the past ten years, Ukraine has not developed as a country that proclaimed itself democratic and free. The writer pointed out that the authorities use the language of distinctions, alienations, and oppositions ("right – wrong", "good – bad," "patriots – non-patriots"). "In such a system, there is no solidarity; we become internally weaker," he stated.

"I would first and foremost change the internal policy, sending signals that 'we respect you all, value each person, each individual, each life. Every person is dear to us.' The state does not send such signals," Baumeister observed.

When asked by the journalist to give a specific example of state diktat, the philosopher replied that he himself is a Catholic, but the issue of state pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is important to him.

"There is a war, people need to unite. But the Internet is filled with (information about – Ed.) people being ousted from churches, bishops and even metropolitans being under arrest. When did this happen, we should ask ourselves?! When metropolitans ended up behind bars or under state accusation? The only time this happened in the 20th century was under Stalin," he said.

As reported, Baumeister previously stated that, in his opinion, Epifaniy Dumenko is no different from any other activist.

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