Healing Traumatized Nations

Socialist Soviet Attacks on Christian Ministry

The Soviet Union is one society that attempted to throw off all vestiges of religion. It was a disaster we never want to repeat it. In 1929, the Central Committee of the Communist Party said:

You say that you are not of this world. Well then, there is nothing for you to do in this world. That is why I forbid you (the Church) to: setup benefit societies; to offer material aid to your members; to organize children's and young person's groups for prayer and other purposes, or general biblical, literary or handicraft groups for the purpose of work or religious instruction and the like, or to organize groups, circles or sections; to arrange excursions and kindergartens, open libraries and reading rooms, organize sanatoria or medical aid.

The Soviets forbade the Church from being involved in the practical, daily needs of their members. The priests and lay people were not allowed to teach children, give medical or mental health assistance to them or to provide prayer meetings for the young. The government prohibited Christian orphanages. Ministers were even forbidden to support grieving families. The church’s long history of practical care and compassion was attacked as unbiblical and anti-Soviet.

Many church leaders continue to think that nurture, care, support for widows and orphans and kindnesses are not biblical. The demonic attacks of Soviet thinking almost completely infiltrated Christian practices. Anything that is practiced for a long time will seem to be biblical even if the enemy introduced it. I am doing everything in my power and the power of the Holy Spirit to eradicate these ideas and replace them with insights from the Lord.

Russian alcoholism rates of over 50% among adult males. Premature death is rampant. Of all modern countries, only they have a decrease in longevity. In 1988 President Gorbachev, an atheist, reinstated the pastoral activities in the Orthodox Church and other faith communities so they would positively affect the society. Until the older generation dies most of the church cannot accept pastoral care. In fact, Putin is re-instituting the old rules.

Thanks to the Dwelling Place Church 9335 Remington Road, in Loveland,  you can hear about our work to heal the Russian people from the PTSD of Communism’s 70 year reign. 

Dr. Galina Chentsova and I will share at 7:00 PM Wednesday, May 14. We want to educate and recruit partners to bring peace to Russia.

Dr. GarySweeten, Sweeten Life Systems, a 501c3 Charity, P.O. Box 11161, Cincinnati,Ohio 45249