Statement About Fake News that the Adventist Church Has Been Banned in Russia

There is a large amount of unprofessional news distribution on the Web and this has resulted in the problem of widely circulated fake news and unsubstantiated rumors. Unfortunately, this problem exists among Adventists in much the same way that it does in the wider world. A false report has been circulated by a number of Adventist blogs and Web sites that the Adventist denomination has or may be banned in Russia. Today the leaders of the denomination in that country released the following statement. Adventist Today includes the complete document below.

Euro-Asia Division Official Statement Regarding Misinformation on the Status of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Russian Federation

In light of the information that has been published on the Internet on the plans for placing a ban on the activity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Russia, we officially communicate that any such information from unofficial sources is not consistent with reality.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Russian Federation is a community-focused denomination, with more than 130 years of service in this territory; a fellowship of law-abiding believers, who are striving, in their life and ministry, to make a positive impact on the surrounding society.

In recent years, the Church has built, in the spirit of mutual respect, constructive dialogue with state authorities that allows for opening new possibilities to use the resources of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for meeting the needs of society. Indeed, the program “Family Health, Nation’s Health,” aimed at preventing lifestyle-related diseases, is being implemented thanks to a public grant under an ordinance of the President of the Russian Federation. It is something that attests to the fact that state authorities have in high regard the Adventist Church’s participation in public life.

In view of this, we again solemnly declare that there is no reason to believe that any justified or sensible reason exists for restricting or banning the activity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Russian Federation.

Pastor M. F. Kaminsky, President of the Euro-Asia Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Pastor O. Y. Goncharov, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director, Euro-Asia Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Member of the Advisory Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations Under the President of the Russian Federation