Preserving Faith in a Digital Age
The Russian Orthodox Church does not opt for a direct combative confrontation with phenomena such as satanism or digitalization processes, considering its main task to be the preservation and deepening of the spiritual life of its believers. Instead of launching a large-scale campaign against external manifestations, the Church relies on its history of overcoming persecution – having already endured many trials and maintained the purity of faith. As one source states, despite the existence of “hundreds and hundreds of satanic groups” across the country, the Church notes that its strength lies in its steadfastness and fidelity to a tradition enriched by many new martyrs (source: link txt).Regarding issues related to digitalization, the Church acts cautiously, opposing measures that, in its view, violate human rights and personal privacy. One report comments: “How rational is the response of the Church, which regarded the government’s new initiative for the total computerized registration of citizens and the establishment of an electronic file for each of us as a violation of human rights, as a step toward making our private lives completely transparent to electronic surveillance… The Church looked upon the state through the eyes of the potentially persecuted—and declared its protest” (source: link txt). This demonstrates that the Russian Orthodox Church’s position does not equate to direct confrontation with all modern phenomena; rather, it focuses on condemning measures that threaten fundamental human rights while simultaneously reinforcing the trust and faith of its parishioners.Thus, the Church prefers a strategy of spiritual strengthening and the internal preservation of its tradition, coupled with a selective and thoughtful response to external challenges. Ultimately, its priority is leading a life of faith and spiritual education rather than engaging in an active, aggressive battle against every characteristic manifestation of modern society.Supporting citation(s):“Hundreds and hundreds of satanic groups, both overt and covert, are scattered throughout the country. The Russian Orthodox Church has withstood an era of persecution, crowned with a multitude of martyrs, and preserved the purity of faith. If we count all our new martyrs among the ranks of the saints, then there will be more saints in the Russian Orthodox Church than in all the other local Churches combined. But now times have become more challenging...” (source: link txt)“How rational is the response of the Church, which regarded the government's new initiative for the complete computerized registration of citizens and the establishment of an electronic file for each of us as a violation of human rights, as a step towards making our private lives completely transparent to electronic surveillance… The Church looked upon the state through the eyes of the potentially persecuted—and declared its protest.” (source: link txt)