Ukraine and Pakistan: How are we different?

Christians in Pakistan. Photo: BBC

They fabricate blasphemy charges against Christians and then imprison them. Over the recent period, at least 450 such cases have been reported, with five people dying in custody.

During court hearings, Islamists shout slogans in the courtroom to pressure judges into convicting innocent individuals. Moreover, after guilty verdicts are delivered, Islamic leaders make statements against the victims in mosques, inciting local residents to turn against their families.

Why are we writing about this? Because if you replace Pakistan with Ukraine and Islamists with certain local denominations, you get an almost identical picture. The only difference is that Pakistan's Islamists haven’t yet started forming “religious communities” in local clubs or “converting” Christian churches into mosques. Perhaps they just don’t know it’s possible. Proven by Ukraine.

It seems we are striving for Europe, but on the way there, we’ve made a small detour of 4,000 kilometers.

Read also

When every UOC church in Lviv Region is shut down – is that “freedom of faith”?

In Galicia, the authorities have effectively outlawed the UOC and are hunting down “underground” services – while in the United States they solemnly insist that no one in Ukraine is persecuted for their faith.

Why Epifaniy’s “piety” justifies Patriarch Bartholomew’s hopes

The Phanar is convinced that Dumenko “stands firmly and unshakably on spiritual heights.”

Dumenko’s “dialogue” appeal to the UOC: sincerity or strategy?

If the OCU truly wanted dialogue, it would decide to halt seizures and return what was taken.

Where did the circus go? It was here just yesterday

At an Orthodox Church of Ukraine “service” with Epifaniy (Dumenko) in the seized cathedral in Volodymyr, there are people. But the very next day – without Epifaniy – there are no people.

Why instigators of hatred against the UOC should be in prison

Churches were not built for one state to defeat another, not for the triumph of an “Ukrainian spirit,” and not for the “spirit” of any other nation.

Should His Beatitude commemorate the head of the ROC or not?

Fierce battles are being waged on social media and screens about how Metropolitan Onuphrius should act and how he should not.