Posted on 11/01/2012 12:52:42 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
The ruling United Russia partys youth wing staged a protest on Thursday against Mormon missionaries, accusing them of being American spies and calling for them to leave Russia.
Activists from Young Guard gathered outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Russian headquarters in Moscow, chanting slogans such as No to foreign agents! and hoisting placards reading Foo, CIA!
They also left a symbolic plane ticket, emblazoned with the CIA logo, for a one-way flight from Moscow to Washington outside the headquarters.
This is an American sect, said Ekaterina Stenyakina, co-chair of Young Guards coordinating committee. They are funded by the United States of America, and its been proven that many young Mormons return to the US to work for the CIA and FBI.
The move is the latest in a series of Kremlin-driven offensives in recent months directed against alleged foreign influence in domestic affairs.
Since President Vladimir Putins re-election to the presidency last March, the Russian parliament has passed a variety of laws restricting foreign and Russian pro-democracy and human rights organizations.
Just yesterday, the Federation Council, Russias upper house, approved a bill that broadens the definition of treason to potentially include NGOs that provide consulting services for foreign governments or organizations.
Last month, the Kremlin ordered the United States Agency for International Development to cease all operations in the country. The organization had funded many Russian civil society organizations for about 20 years.
Stenyakina issued a stern warning to Russias youth, who she claims are easily wooed by the free English lessons and community service provided by Mormon missionaries.
It starts with free English lessons and then leads to becoming a missionary oneself, she said, adding that the alleged $14 billion in humanitarian assistance in Russia provided by the church has gone unnoticed.
Experts said the Russian authorities have long worried about the LDS Churchs influence in Russia.
In 2008, the church was forced to re-route its Russia-bound missionaries after the Kremlin introduced new visa restrictions for humanitarian workers.
Because [Mormons] are involved in humanitarian activity, such as feeding the homeless or handing out literature, this is perceived as some form of bribery, religious expert Ivar Maksutov, a researcher at the Russian State University for the Humanities, told RIA Novosti recently.
Church officials denied the protesters claims.
Elena Nechiporova, director for the church's East Europe areas Public Affairs Department, said the foreign agent allegations are baseless.
It is somebodys opinion without any facts, without any legal investigation, without court decisions, she said, adding that preaching the gospel is our main goal.
She also refuted Young Guards claim of the LDS Churchs alleged $14 billion assistance package in Russia, saying that the church has spent only about $5 million in humanitarian assistance in the country.
One doesn't need to be an emigrant from Germany to figger out MORMONism!!
They have knowledge of what Howard Hughes life was like, while being surrounded by MORMONs!
However, the CIA IS chock full of Mormons. They are HEAVILY recruited as young men after they return from their missions knowing foreign languages and having two years of cultural experience living in the target countries. the fact that they, en masse, do not serve in the military makes their backgrounds less hostile to target countries....Think convenient cnadidates.
Considering that the breakaway LDS sect of the Mormon cult will have it's death oath bound people in control of the Executive branch, the Senate, and the upper echeleons of the CIA, I consider this a prudent move by the commies.
The only question I have is why do we conservatives refuse to see the danger ?
However, the CIA IS chock full of Mormons. They are HEAVILY recruited as young men after they return from their missions knowing foreign languages and having two years of cultural experience living in the target countries. the fact that they, en masse, do not serve in the military makes their backgrounds less hostile to target countries....Think convenient spy candidates.
Considering that the breakaway LDS sect of the Mormon cult will have it's death oath bound people in control of the Executive branch, the Senate, and the upper echeleons of the CIA, I consider this a prudent move by the commies.
The only question I have is why do we conservatives refuse to see the danger ?
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