Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev made clear this past weekend that he is an atheist after European news agencies last week claimed that he had confirmed his Christian faith during a visit to the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.
Gorbachev, the last communist leader of the Soviet Union, confronted speculations that he had been a closeted Christian during an interview with the Russian news agency Interfax.
"Over the last few days some media have been disseminating fantasies – I can't use any other word – about my secret Catholicism, citing my visit to the Sacro Convento friary, where the remains of St. Francis of Assisi lie," Gorbachev said, according to an Interfax article posted Friday.
"To sum up and avoid any misunderstandings, let me say that I have been and remain an atheist,” he stated.
Rumors for decades had circulated that Gorbachev was a Christian after he moved to loosen restrictions on religious worship and expressed to a party congress a year before the communist state dissolved that “spiritual rebirth is as essential to society as oxygen,” according to the Chicago Tribune.
As a result, media agencies had jumped to conclusions when Gorbachev visited St. Francis’ tomb last Wednesday and was seen kneeling for half an hour in silence at the tomb.
But Gorbachev, who was baptized Russian Orthodox as a child, explained that his visit to the tomb was as a tourist and not a pilgrim. He acknowledged the important role religion plays in society and said he looks forward to visiting Orthodox churches in Russia, Catholic and Protestant churches in the United States and Europe, synagogues in Israel and mosques in the Arab world, according to Interfax.
"But all these years, it has never occurred to anyone to list me among followers of any faith on that basis," Gorbachev noted.
Back in Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church seemed unimpressed with Gorbachev’s visit to St. Francis’ tomb.
"In Italy, he spoke in emotional terms, rather than in terms of faith," a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox patriarch Alexei II told the Russian media.
"He is still on his way to Christianity. If he arrives, we will welcome him."
Christians make up only about 17 to 22 percent of Russia’s population, according to the CIA World Factbook.
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Comments
What are the percentages of other religious beliefs in Russia? And does that mean that most are atheists? They are as moral as anyone else! They can lead abundant lives!
"I believe, help my unbeliefe.
Do Atheists Exist?
http://polemos.net/Do%20Atheists%20Exist.html
"Why do Christians seem so desperate to find support for the Faith amongst famous or popular people or media?"
Because they don't seem to know the God that they claim to worship nor understand His Word.
Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
http://polemos.net/Doctrines%20of%20Grace%20%20(Calvinism).html
Why do Christians seem so desperate to find support for the Faith amongst famous or popular people or media?
Because the mass media is the new religion.
Why do Christians seem so desperate to find support for the Faith amongst famous or popular people or media?
itchybum: why distasteful? Should atheists be ashamed to declare that they are atheists?
A person's faith, or lack thereof, is a private affair. Seems somewhat distasteful to tell untruths about something like this and force him to declare his atheism.
Mark 8:38 [Jesus said] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
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And yes there is still hope for Mr. Gorbachev and Jesus is waiting for him with open arms!
There is ALWAYS hope! Is there anything too hard for GOD??? Pray for him and B-E-L-I-E-V-E in the POWER and GRACE of GOD!!!
Good to see Christian Post issuing the correction.
Maybe someday, we as christians try too hard sometimes to believe what is not clearly revealed in a person's life....honesty about his convictions is respectable though ...I wish some gov't officials would issue a mission statement concerning what they believe instead of having to listen to them drone on about stuff they can't change (but promise to) until the perspective of their heart is revealed when caught off-gaurd....both sides of the ticket.