The Russian Orthodox Church and Human Rights [Paperback]

This book examines the key 2008 publication of the Russian Orthodox Church on human dignity, freedom, and rights. It considers how the document was formed, charting the development over time of the Russian Orthodox Church's views on human rights. It analyzes the detail of the document, and assesses the practical and political impact inside the Church, at the national level and in the international arena. Overall, it shows how the attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church has shifted from outright hostility towards individual human rights to the advocacy of traditional values.

Introduction  1. Four Areas of Encounters and Friction with Human Rights for the Russian Orthodox Church  2. The Human Rights Debate inside the Russian Orthodox Church (2000-2008)  3. The Russian Orthodox Churchs Basic Teaching on Human Dignity, Liberty and Rights: Analysis and Interpretation  4. The Domestic and International Human Rights Agenda of the Russian Orthodox Church  5. Religion and Human Rights in Postsecular Society

Stoeckls book is of a high academic standard and her writing style is fresh and engaging.

- Katja Richters, University of Erfurt, Germany

In summary, Stoeckls work is a good... introduction to the ROCs present views on human rights. It is also a reminder that the contemporary return of religion to the public sphere is not merely about Islams influence or its incongruity with democracy and Western values  particular forms of Christianity also have their say in that debate. The book is also the beginning of a more in-depth analysis of various phases and cases of the ROCs reorientation regarding human rights issues. It is desirable that this analysis continues.

- Teuvo Laitila, University of Eastern Finland, Finland, in Journal of Contemporary Religion

 

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