Religious Wars

Russia revives the concept of holy war in Europe.

“Ukraine is not just a neighboring country for us. It is an inalienable part of our history, culture and spiritual space,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 21. Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church also emphasized the spiritual aspect of the war over Ukraine. In a March 6 sermon, he described the invasion as a war “against evil” and a “religious cleansing operation.” Putin, Kirill and many Russians want to halt the eastern advance of the irreligious West and reunite the two countries and their churches. Subjecting a people under a religious authority through military means is conversion by the sword, or a “holy” war.

Read more at “The Return of Religious Wars”a