Sects as a threat to the national security of Russia
The problem of non-traditional religious movements or, in common parlance, sects, has become particularly relevant for Russia immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the beginning of the 1990's Religious movements previously unknown to our citizens began to appear in the country. Some of them had a long history abroad, others were formed literally in a few years and even months on Russian soil. A number of sects were frankly totalitarian and destructive in nature, which was the reason for their closure by law enforcement agencies and the institution of criminal cases against leaders and their closest associates. However, until now the Russian mass media regularly report on the activities of new religious sects.
On the morning of September 10, 2015 was searched in seven apartments in Moscow. These apartments were used by adepts of the so-called. “The cult of the god Kuzi” - a sect that has gained scandalous fame. The “god Kuzya” himself, in the world - Andrei Popov, as well as several of his closest associates, were detained by police for further investigation. The fact is that as a result of searches in the apartments of the sect 43 million rubles and over 100 thousand US dollars were seized. Law enforcement authorities have found that this money may be of criminal origin and be the result of the commission of fraudulent acts by the “god Kuzi” and his closest associates. Andrei Popov himself, he is “the god Kuzya”, said that he was not feeling well and had no idea where such large sums of money came from in his apartment.
“God” by the name “Kuzya”
For a normal person the phrase "god Kuzya" sounds very funny. Meanwhile, there is nothing comical in the activities of the person who is so called, and his supporters, no. The cult of "god Kuzi" is a typical sect, in relation to which there is every reason to suspect it of totalitarianism and destructiveness. When still in 2000's At the Orthodox exhibitions organized by the Russian Orthodox Church, some pilgrims began to appear, collecting money under various pretexts, many visitors had no doubt that these were ordinary monks. However, then the public became interested in the activities of strange people who collected money. After the appeal of the deputy Yaroslav Nilov, the Russian Orthodox Church was forced to speak with an official explanation about the collection of funds and trade at Orthodox exhibitions. 12 April 2013 was posted on the Patriarchy.ru website. The “Clarification of the Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations in connection with what is happening at some“ Orthodox ”exhibitions and fairs.” It said that, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill regularly receives collective and individual letters from citizens concerned about what is happening at Orthodox exhibitions and fairs. But the fairs and exhibitions themselves became the site of activities of okolopravoslavnyh sects, among which the so-called “sect of the god Kuzi” causes the greatest concern. As it was emphasized in the Explanation, “posing as representatives of, as a rule, a little-known church or monastery, sect adepts offer people to order all kinds of prayers and orders. According to reports, at one exhibition alone, a sect can belong from 30 to 40 stands, which ultimately brings a huge income to the leadership of the sect ”(Clarification of the Synodal Department for Relations between the Church and Society in connection with what is happening at some“ Orthodox ”exhibitions and fairs // http : //www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/2904478.html). The sectarians are headed by a person who seems to be a “bishop Roman”, but in fact he has nothing to do with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Explanation emphasized.
Under the name of “Bishop Roman”, he is “God Kuzya”, a certain Andrei Yuryevich Popov was hiding. He was born in 1977 in Dolgoprudny and was raised without a father - his mother, who severely punished him and then his grandparents. After a clinical death at the age of three months, Andrew grew up visually impaired, but later began to appear completely blind. If you believe Popov himself, he was a very gifted child. At the age of three, Andrew began composing his first poems, and in 12 years he received the first grade in chess. According to the information posted on his website, Andrei Popov graduated from high school with a gold medal, and in 1999 he graduated from the history department of Moscow State University. Mv Lomonosov. For some time he worked as a teacher, but then decided to fully focus his attention on "spiritual matters." It was at the end of 1990's. and the activity of a group of religious fanatics, which gradually turned into a cult, began.
At first, Popov presented himself as a religious teacher, emphasizing in every possible way his supernatural abilities. So, on his website, he is referred to as “a historian, philosopher, religious scholar, psychologist, poet, writer, member of the Writers 'Union of Russia, artist, member of the Artists' Union, composer, singer, biologist, man of encyclopedic knowledge”, author of more than 300 books, more 40 poetry books, more 800 music tracks. In 14 years, Andrei Popov came to realize his divine nature, but until a certain point he was hiding it from followers, who gradually appeared more and more. For the convenience of recruiting adherents at first, “Kuzya” presented himself as an Orthodox bishop Roman. So it was much easier to recruit gullible older women - it was this category of citizens who turned out to be the most greedy for sectarian sermons. The self-styled "bishop" preached at Orthodox exhibitions, and also organized his own speeches in the building of the Soil Institute. In a private house in Lobnya, a self-made temple was equipped, in which the "bishop" conducted services. In the end, the activity of the “Bishop of Roman” attracted the attention of the Russian Orthodox Church. 2 February 2009 Archimandrite Anthony (Griban), vicar of Holy Pokrovsky Monastery, stated that the so-called “sovereign” Roman (Popov), who appears to be the bishop of the Sarnensky diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is in fact not as such a Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. In the same 2009, the “bishop's” performances at the Soil Institute also ceased. After that, services began to be held in an apartment in Bolshoi Kondratyevsky Lane, after whose name the sectarians were also called “Kondrats”.
After the appeal of the hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Andrei Popov no longer had any sense to impersonate the bishop, after which he “opened all the cards” and proclaimed himself a god. The faith of Andrei Popov is a jumble of various religious and mystical teachings. So, about itself “Kuzya” informed that it has on 82,5% - divine nature, embodied in spirit, soul, on 2,5% - human nature, embodied in the body, and on 15% - nature of the Virgin, embodied in love. As for Jesus Christ, according to Kuzi, he had a divine character on 60% and a human nature on 40%. Andrei Popov proclaimed himself as the embodiment of several biblical heroes and historical personalities at once: ““ souls helpers who live in Kuz ”- Jesus Christ (0,8%), Mother of God (0,8%), Sergius of Radonezh (0,4%), Archangel Gabriel (0,4%), John the Baptist (0,4%), the prophet Elijah (0,4%), the prophet Moses (0,4%), E. P. Blavatsky (0,4%); “The rest (minor)” - Iosif Obruchnik, the prophet Ezekiel, Abraham, Solomon, Adam, Holy Prince Vladimir, Nikolai Ugodnik, Great Martyr Ekaterina, Tsarevich Alexy, Guy Julius Caesar, M. V. Lomonosov, M. Yu. Lermontov, Shiva, E. I. Roerich. Having ceased to be a “bishop of Romans”, Andrei Popov was increasingly referred to as “Kuzma”, or “Kuzma”. That was the name of the parrot who once lived in his house and deserved such a master's love that after the death of the bird he took his name as a pseudonym. In general, the history of the relationship between “God of Kuzi” and animals is very interesting and, in its own way, touching. Since childhood, Andrei Popov dreamed of his own zoo, but he had a chance to have only a crab and a parrot - that same Kuzyu. However, when he headed a sect and began to collect money from adepts, then Kuzi’s childhood dreams about his own zoo were embodied. So, on one of the New Year holidays, followers presented Kuza with two million rubles for the purchase of various animals. At one time, a crocodile named Tosh, Iguana Gunya, fish, butterflies lived at Kuzi. Then, during a police raid, the crocodile and iguanas were confiscated, the Australian echidna, the battleship and the talking parrot were seized for the last time. Neighbors of the “god” complained that he periodically released butterflies and iguanas into the porch. However, these were only the most innocent pranks of a man who called himself "god."
. photo: http://www.gazeta.ru/
“To whom resurrection is not the father, to that Kuzya is not the mother”
For several years, “Kuzey” a very closed and rigidly centralized sect was created. He divided both his followers and those not connected with the sect of people into several categories, also called "circles." The first round includes the wives of the “god”, whom he has several (according to one data - two, according to others - four). The second circle is represented by a woman, called "Sunday" - this is Popov's main assistant in organizing "spiritual" affairs. The third circle is the so-called “apostles”, or assistants of “Kuzi”, who carry out his assignments. The female part of the third circle can also function as Kuzi concubines, a kind of “harem” of the sectarian “god”. The fourth circle is represented by ordinary followers, who are called "Saturday workmen" and perform the functions of raising funds at Orthodox exhibitions and fairs. In the fifth round "Kuzya" includes most of humanity - that is, all those who are not aware of the existence of "God." Finally, the sixth category is made up of former sectarians and relatives of sectarians, who reject the “divine nature of Kuzi” and therefore are considered as sect enemies. Their "Kuzya" calls "cucumbers" or "vegetables." In the sect, strict subordination of “subbotniks” to “Sundays” is established, and the discipline is maintained quite strictly, up to the methods of physical influence. "Kuzya" sets up its followers to sever relations with the outside world, including parents and children. He advises children to be sent to boarding schools or to senior relatives, as relatives are representatives of the “dark forces”, “demons”. In relation to relatives, according to sectarian teachings, any methods can be allowed, including their physical elimination. At religious services in the sect methods of mental influence on adepts are used. In particular, “Kuzya” inspires its followers that “dominates” over their lives and at any moment can simply send death to them - “throwing a face” in sectarian slang.
Since the Kuzi sect is totalitarian, a special place is given to full control over the personal life of sectarians. In fact, they do not have it. Periodically, at meetings of the sect, meetings are organized to analyze the behavior of sectarians, called otters. By the way, the followers of “Kuzi” also pay money for participating in such discussions, as they are sure that they are undergoing a kind of spiritual cleansing procedure. First of all, the discussions inspire a negative attitude towards their own relatives, while the sect followers themselves are subjected to a stream of insults from their “god” - this is how he brings up “humility” in them. More stringent ways of bringing up “humility” are beating with the lash on the back and even on the face. Typically, such methods are resorted to when a sectarian is convicted of communicating with relatives or using medications (the latter are prohibited in the Kuzi sect). Naturally, the sectarians give Kuze huge sums of money, often selling their real estate. But the main income, as suggested by experts, the sect receives from regular participation in Orthodox exhibitions - fairs, where its followers in the guise of Orthodox monks and believers sell literature and collect donations. Only one outlet controlled by Kuze brings at least 200 thousand rubles per day. Researcher at the Institute of Psychology RAS Prokopishin stresses that “Popov is not crazy, he is a fraudster, who gives an excellent account of his actions. Narcissus, who does not care about people, who scoffs at them and at their faith. The image of God is the role to which he went from a simple church servant, realizing that you can earn money on religion ”(quoted in: Nalbandyan, L. The tragic secrets of the sect of“ God Kuzi ”// Sobesednik.ru. - 13.05.2013).
In 2014, sect activity finally attracted close attention from law enforcement. The reason for the police activities against the sect was a statement about the beatings. Apartments on Krasnoproletarskaya Street and Bolshoi Kondratyevsky Lane 8 in May 2014 were searched, as a result of which money in the amount of 240 million rubles and 150 thousand US dollars, religious literature and over 50 of exotic animals, including Australian echidnum, crocodile, were discovered , armadillo, iguana, monitor lizard. The animals were transferred to the Moscow Zoo. In addition, video materials identified by investigators as “child pornography” were discovered. 16 May 2014, the criminal case that was opened by the Inquiry Department of the Internal Affairs Directorate for the Central Administrative District of Moscow under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in respect of Popov A.Yu., was transferred to the Office of Inquiry of the Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow. 22 May 2014 was brought to the police for interrogation by Kuzya himself, but he took advantage of constitutional law and refused to testify. Actually, this time - after a year and a half - “Kuzya” just as well did not want to communicate with the police. He referred to poor health and reminded the police that he is disabled in the second group. The sect leader, of course, rejected suspicions of fraud and said that he was not engaged in any subversive activity and did not understand at all why he could have attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies. In its activities, "Kuzya" does not see anything illegal. However, law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Fraud”. It is not known how events will develop further, but if you follow previous experience - there are serious reasons to believe that the police action will not end with anything serious for “God Kuzi”. Moreover, it will even help him strengthen his financial situation, since compassionate adepts will rush to raise funds for the “salvation of God from captivity”.
Is the “White Brotherhood” back from the nineties?
The activity of the sect of “God Kuzi” is far from an isolated case of the existence of such non-traditional cults in the country. The spiritual vacuum that became the direct result of the problems and contradictions that Russian society has faced over the past two decades has created fertile ground in society for the spread of all kinds of quasi-religious and mystical teachings. Many destructive cults act in fact and as criminal organizations, engaging in fraudulent acts and extortion against people who have fallen into the orbit of their influence. In 1990-s. The most notorious totalitarian sect of “domestic production” was, of course, the “White Brotherhood” - this is how the Great White Brotherhood YUSMALOS was abbreviated. This organization appeared in 1990-1991 in Kiev. The sect was founded by Yuri Krivonogov and Maria Tsvigun. Krivonogov proclaimed himself Saint John of Swami (Saint John the Baptist), and Mary Tsvigun - Mary Devi Christ, that is, the incarnation of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, his mother and bride. Thirty-year-old Maria Mammonova (as was the maiden name of Tsvigun), by this time she managed to graduate from the journalism department of Kiev State University, become a member of the Union of Journalists of Ukraine, and even join the CPSU. In April, 1990. Maria experienced clinical death, and supposedly it was this experience that contributed to her “enlightenment”. In May, 1990 was introduced to her by Yuri Krivonogov (born 1941) - a former researcher at the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Novosibirsk, who in recent years has been interested in the Krishna teachings. The couple joined forces and soon branches of the “White Brotherhood” appeared in the cities of the Soviet Union, preaching the coming to the land of “Mother Mary” and the imminent end of the world. The sect ideology was a mixture of Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, the positions of which were synthesized and distorted. Like other totalitarian sects, the White Brotherhood forced its followers to sever all sorts of relationships with their relatives. Sect members lived in rented apartments, and the apartments changed periodically and the sectarians moved from place to place, sometimes even changing cities. In fact, the entire personal life of the sectarians was placed under the complete control of the higher hierarchs of the Brotherhood.
The formal head of the sect was proclaimed Vitaly Kovalchuk, who received in the sectarian hierarchy the title of the Pope and the name "John Peter the Second." The size of the sect grew exponentially, and Mary Devi Christ gathered whole stadiums for her "divine services". The White Brotherhood’s activities quickly became interested in the security forces and the police. 1 On April 1992, criminal proceedings were instituted against Tsvigun and Krivonogova under article 199 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Ukraine “Unauthorized occupation of a land plot and unauthorized construction” and article 143 “Fraud”. But soon the investigation of these articles was discontinued. However, the sectarians did not let up. So, in the summer of 1993, adherents of YUSMALOS set about the tactics of brawlers in Orthodox churches. Bursting into the temples, they provoked the believers, arranging disruptions in worship and hooliganism in the altars. The sectarians aimed at provoking Orthodox Christians to commit murder of rowdy men, but believing Christians turned out to be prudent and restrained people. The sectarians did not spill the blood, so the adherents of the “White Brotherhood”, who were waiting for the end of the world, made several loud tricks. 10 November 1993, a group of several dozen sectarians attempted to seize the Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, but was detained by the police. On November 14, sectarians of a total number of people in 600 tried to organize mass riots in Kiev, but were dispersed by the Ukrainian police. During the riots in the cathedral, Yuri Krivonogov and Maria Tsvigun were arrested, and six months later, Vitaly Kovalchuk surrendered to the authorities. The investigation into the case of Maria Zvigun lasted a long time. Only 9 in February 1996. The Kyiv City Court passed sentences: Yuri Krivonogov was sentenced to six years, Vitaly Kovalchuk to five, and Maria Tsvigun herself to four years in a penal colony. Freed from prison, Maria Tsvigun settled in Donetsk together with her new husband, the Apostle Peter the Second.
Yuri Krivonogov, after his release, refused to participate in the sect, changed his last name to Silvestrov and got a job in one of the Kiev shops. But Maria Tsvigun tried to continue the activities of a religious preacher. In 1998-2001 She repeatedly tried to create an officially registered religious community of the White Brotherhood, but every time she was refused by the Committee on Religious Affairs. Finally, in 2006, she moved to Moscow, also changing her name to “Victoria Transfiguration”. In Moscow, the former Maria Devi Christ founded the “Cosmic Polyart of the Third Millennium”, aimed at “uniting spiritual painting, drawing, poetry, music, dance). In May 2013, it became known that Tsvigun - Preobrazhenskaya began to revive the “White Brotherhood” and resumed the sermons in order to recruit new adepts. Shortly after this news, Russian law enforcement agencies intervened. 19 July 2013 The Yegoryevsky Court of the Moscow Region recognized the White Brotherhood’s religious literature as extremist and included it in the Federal List of Extremist Materials. This court decision was made on the basis of the expertise of the Russian Institute of Cultural Research. In accordance with the court decision, it was found that the religious literature of the “White Brotherhood” contains statements calling for the promotion of exclusiveness, superiority or inferiority of a person on grounds of religious affiliation, violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of a person and citizen, depending on his religious affiliation, the incitement of religious hatred ”(The literature of the religious community“ The White Brotherhood ”was recognized extremist // NEWSru.com, 19.07.2013). It is likely that members of the “White Brotherhood” carried out running-in of the newest manipulation technologies, allowing to control the psyche and behavior of people. It is possible that the activities of the "Brotherhood", as well as many other totalitarian sects, penetrated or started in the 1990-s. its activities in Russia and other post-Soviet states, was inspired by the US special services. In May 2015, it became known that the followers of Maria Tsvigun resumed their activities in Ukraine.
Hunger and pain "Shambhala"
Another dangerous sect that has existed on the territory of Russia for twenty years was the Ashram of Shambhala (this sect had other names - Belovodie, Path in Belovodye, International Path to Happiness Academy, Russian Tantric School , Sotidanandana Yoga Center). Its branches operated in 18 subjects of the Russian Federation, bringing together approximately 15-20 thousands of people. At the head of the sect was a certain Konstantin Rudnev 1967 year of birth. After graduating from the engineering college in his native Novosibirsk, Rudnev was drafted into the ranks of the Soviet Army. It was there that his strange inclinations first appeared - the soldier began to convince the command to transform the military unit on the model of the Shaolin monastery. In the end, he was sent straight from the unit to the Samara Psychiatric Hospital, where he stayed until 1989. After being freed from a mental hospital, Rudnev returned to Novosibirsk and created a health center, on the basis of which the Shambhala Ashram appeared in 1990. Rudnev expounded his views in the book “The Path of the Fool”, in which he ridiculed the main social institutions of modern civilization, including the family and the state, opposed the birth of children and work, and instead called for promiscuous sexual relations, calling it “tantric ministry.” Rudnev himself called at once several names that sounded quite exotic: “Avatar Muni”, “Sotilian Sikorisky”, “Altai Kagan Bogomudr”, “Embryo trapped on the ground through UFOs”, etc. The leader of the sect was assisted by Elena Zakharova - she is "Shri Subi Lakshmi Devi", or Selena, who served as the main priestess of the cult, and Pavel Khandozhko - "Shri Ganesh" - a former surgeon who led the "tantric sessions."
- photo: http://www.nsk.kp.ru/
“The Shambhala Ashram” had much in common with other totalitarian sects, including the above described “sect of the god Kuzi” and the “White Brotherhood”. So, from adherents required a complete dissolution of relations with the outside world. People from the outside world were called “mice”. Naturally, in relation to them any unseemly deeds were allowed, moreover - they were even desirable. Abandoning worldly life, adherents of the “Ashram” were placed in rented apartments or houses. In one room usually lived 16-20 people. At six in the morning, the sectarians waited for a rise, followed by hour-long physical exercises - push-ups to music. This warm-up was repeated hourly, including at night. Depriving adherents of a sect of normal sleep was considered as one of the reliable ways to completely destroy the will and submission of the psyche. During the day, the sectarians were engaged in manufacturing all sorts of items for sale - magic amulets, bracelets, as well as the rewriting of sectarian literature. In fact, the sectarians were starving, eating only the cleaning of vegetables and pearl barley. Chronic malnutrition turned sect adepts into half-animals, ready to pounce on their companion in misfortune in order to take away an additional piece of squalid food. Some of them had hair and teeth falling out of malnutrition, to which Rudnev declared to them that this phenomenon was normal in the process of becoming a “man of the sixth race”. The “visiting card” of the Rudnev sect was group orgies, including those of a violent nature, homosexual acts, as well as mockery of sectarians, including burning skin or dipping into the toilet. As reported by the media, the sale of sectarian property, video production of occult and pornographic content, brought to Rudnev at least 10 million dollars.
Since 1999, law enforcement agencies have made repeated attempts to curb illegal activities carried out by Konstantin Rudnev and his closest aides. For example, in 1999, the Novosibirsk Prosecutor’s Office initiated a criminal case under Article 239 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Organization of an association infringing upon the person and the rights of citizens”). But since Rudnev disappeared from the view of law enforcement agencies, the investigation was suspended. In September, 2004 Mr. Rudnev was nevertheless detained and gave a written commitment to appear in the prosecutor’s office for interrogation. At the end of October, 2008 was searched by police in two country houses in the Novosibirsk region, owned by Konstantin Rudnev. A search brought an unexpected catch to the Novosibirsk operatives: six people who were on the wanted list were detained, a significant amount of narcotic substances, an 23 laptop with pornographic video production were seized. In October, 2010, Mr. Konstantin Rudnev and several of his closest associates were arrested. The operation involved employees of the Investigative Committee, the FSB and the Interior Ministry. Rudnev and his associates were charged under a number of articles of the Criminal Code, including the creation of a religious association that infringes upon the person and the rights of citizens (part 1 Art. 239, Criminal Code), rape (part 1 Art. 131, Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), violent acts of a sexual nature (part 1 Art. 132 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), illegal storage and sale of narcotic drugs (Art. 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Fifteen people were recognized as victims of Rudnev’s activities, who filed suits against him for moral and material damage in the total amount of 18 million rubles. 7 February 2013 of the year Konstantin Rudnev was convicted under part 1, item 239 (creation of a religious association), part 1, item XXUMX (rape), part 131 item XXNX (violent acts of a sexual nature), partNNXX art. 1, part 132 Art. 1 (preparation for the illegal sale of narcotic drugs on a large scale) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The court sentenced Rudnev Konstantin Dmitrievich to eleven years of imprisonment with a sentence being served in a colony of strict regime. In addition, a fine was imposed in the amount of 30 thousand rubles and 3 million rubles were recovered by the court in favor of the victims. Somewhat later, one of the citizens who were recognized as victims in the Rudnev case, made a separate award to the leader of the sect for compensation in the amount of 228.1 thousand rubles.
The activity of sects as a way to destroy Russian society
The appearance and destructive activity of totalitarian sects on the territory of Russia is, first of all, a consequence of the hostile policy of the West, aimed at the destruction of the Russian state and society. Of course, there may be autonomous sects whose activities are entirely formed by their leader — a sick person, a fraudster or a fanatic, followed by a number of adepts. However, most of these sects are extremely small and practically unknown. In the case of numerous, active and rich sects, we see a completely different situation. The activity of the sect, like any other public association, requires the infusion of significant financial resources. Without the support from "outside," the sect will never reach the All-Russian level, will not be able to reach tens of thousands of adepts. In the modern world, religious contradictions are often used as the main tool of political destabilization in competitive or hostile countries. It is enough to pay attention to the events taking place in the Middle East and North Africa. The events in Ukraine also have significant religious overtones, although less pronounced due to the low level of religiosity of the Ukrainian population. The wide spread of sects in post-Soviet Russia, against the background of de-ideologization of post-Soviet society and the devaluation of former cultural and moral values, was stimulated, first of all, by the United States of America. It was from there that the majority of sectarian preachers were sent to Russia, thousands of copies of propaganda literature were brought. As a result, in a relatively short period of time, hundreds of sects, mostly of foreign origin, operated in the territory of the Russian Federation. Millions of Russian citizens who were formerly atheists or Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and representatives of other traditional religions of Russia were involved in the orbit of their activities. And, first of all, the emphasis was placed on young people - it was young people from decent families that were of particular interest to foreign preachers.
Sects can be used for the actual destruction of the national culture. It is no secret that a person joining a sect or cult no longer associates itself with his national community. A sect replaces him not only the family, but also the people, the nation, the homeland. There is a complete change in the human personality, and on the scale of a social group or society as a whole - a fundamental civilizational transformation. It is known that many representatives of sects of American origin, being born Russian-speaking people born and raised in Russia, in the Russian-speaking environment, after more or less long-term stay in the sect, even speak their native Russian language with an imitation of an American accent. This manner of speaking is instilled in them at weekly services and almost daily meetings. There is also a gradual assimilation of American cultural and behavioral norms. As lawyer Alexander Korelov notes, the chairman of the Legal Committee for the Protection of the Rights and Dignity of the Person at the Russian Association of Centers for the Study of Religions and Sects, “South Korea was the first state in the world whose mentality, culture and politics were radically changed by sects. She, starting with the 50-s, under the protectorate of the United States, was deliberately flooded with neo-Protestant pastors. Now Pentecostals and Baptists make up about 30% of the population, and Korea, with its ancient culture, is rapidly losing its identity, becoming more similar to one of the US Baptist states ”(Sects as a tool of information wars and the destruction of social unity of the state // http: // www .k-istine.ru /).
The activity of sects represents a great danger to the national security of the Russian state. First of all, it should be remembered that almost all sects of foreign origin are “agents of foreign influence” on the territory of Russia, with a disciplined and ready to carry out any instructions from their leadership of the flock. It is known that during the Euromaidan in Ukraine a rather impressive part of the demonstrators gathered in the square was represented, including by sectarians. Sects of American origin on the orders of their central leadership overseas brought their supporters to the streets of the Ukrainian capital. Yes, these were not militants like the Right Sector, but a large number of women and young people imitating the “peaceful nature of the protest” were represented just by sectarians. At the head of most sects of foreign origin are citizens of foreign countries, some of them reside on the territory of Russia or come to our country "arrivals" to control the activities of their local supporters. Naturally, these people act completely in the interests of their states. For example, the activity of Mormons in the territory of the Russian Federation still raises numerous questions from the Russian public. Indeed, on the territory of Russia, in almost every large city, there are groups of American citizens - young combat-ready people who carry out preaching activities, but it is possible that the latter may also be a cover for the implementation of any other functions. While the activities of foreign religious sects in the territory of the Russian Federation are concerned, above all, Orthodox public organizations, but this issue should concern, first of all, the authorities, especially the law enforcement agencies and services responsible for the security of the Russian state and the protection of the constitutional order.
Destructive cults and sects discussed in this article have different origins. The “White Brotherhood”, quite possibly, was created precisely for the purpose of manipulating the mass consciousness and studying the possibilities of controlling the behavior of people. “The Ashram of Shambhala” is the fruit of creativity of an not quite adequate person, moreover, self-motivated. Approximately this type of sect is also a cult of the “god Kuzi”, with the only difference being that it can be used by anti-Russian forces to discredit Orthodoxy - it’s not by chance that the Kuzi’s sectarians are most active at Orthodox events, and the Kuzma itself until recently time trying to impersonate an Orthodox clergyman. In any case, sects pose a significant danger to the Russian state and in the general list of tasks to ensure the national security of the country, the fight against the influence of destructive and foreign sects should occupy an important place.
On the morning of September 10, 2015 was searched in seven apartments in Moscow. These apartments were used by adepts of the so-called. “The cult of the god Kuzi” - a sect that has gained scandalous fame. The “god Kuzya” himself, in the world - Andrei Popov, as well as several of his closest associates, were detained by police for further investigation. The fact is that as a result of searches in the apartments of the sect 43 million rubles and over 100 thousand US dollars were seized. Law enforcement authorities have found that this money may be of criminal origin and be the result of the commission of fraudulent acts by the “god Kuzi” and his closest associates. Andrei Popov himself, he is “the god Kuzya”, said that he was not feeling well and had no idea where such large sums of money came from in his apartment.
“God” by the name “Kuzya”
For a normal person the phrase "god Kuzya" sounds very funny. Meanwhile, there is nothing comical in the activities of the person who is so called, and his supporters, no. The cult of "god Kuzi" is a typical sect, in relation to which there is every reason to suspect it of totalitarianism and destructiveness. When still in 2000's At the Orthodox exhibitions organized by the Russian Orthodox Church, some pilgrims began to appear, collecting money under various pretexts, many visitors had no doubt that these were ordinary monks. However, then the public became interested in the activities of strange people who collected money. After the appeal of the deputy Yaroslav Nilov, the Russian Orthodox Church was forced to speak with an official explanation about the collection of funds and trade at Orthodox exhibitions. 12 April 2013 was posted on the Patriarchy.ru website. The “Clarification of the Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations in connection with what is happening at some“ Orthodox ”exhibitions and fairs.” It said that, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill regularly receives collective and individual letters from citizens concerned about what is happening at Orthodox exhibitions and fairs. But the fairs and exhibitions themselves became the site of activities of okolopravoslavnyh sects, among which the so-called “sect of the god Kuzi” causes the greatest concern. As it was emphasized in the Explanation, “posing as representatives of, as a rule, a little-known church or monastery, sect adepts offer people to order all kinds of prayers and orders. According to reports, at one exhibition alone, a sect can belong from 30 to 40 stands, which ultimately brings a huge income to the leadership of the sect ”(Clarification of the Synodal Department for Relations between the Church and Society in connection with what is happening at some“ Orthodox ”exhibitions and fairs // http : //www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/2904478.html). The sectarians are headed by a person who seems to be a “bishop Roman”, but in fact he has nothing to do with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Explanation emphasized.
Under the name of “Bishop Roman”, he is “God Kuzya”, a certain Andrei Yuryevich Popov was hiding. He was born in 1977 in Dolgoprudny and was raised without a father - his mother, who severely punished him and then his grandparents. After a clinical death at the age of three months, Andrew grew up visually impaired, but later began to appear completely blind. If you believe Popov himself, he was a very gifted child. At the age of three, Andrew began composing his first poems, and in 12 years he received the first grade in chess. According to the information posted on his website, Andrei Popov graduated from high school with a gold medal, and in 1999 he graduated from the history department of Moscow State University. Mv Lomonosov. For some time he worked as a teacher, but then decided to fully focus his attention on "spiritual matters." It was at the end of 1990's. and the activity of a group of religious fanatics, which gradually turned into a cult, began.
At first, Popov presented himself as a religious teacher, emphasizing in every possible way his supernatural abilities. So, on his website, he is referred to as “a historian, philosopher, religious scholar, psychologist, poet, writer, member of the Writers 'Union of Russia, artist, member of the Artists' Union, composer, singer, biologist, man of encyclopedic knowledge”, author of more than 300 books, more 40 poetry books, more 800 music tracks. In 14 years, Andrei Popov came to realize his divine nature, but until a certain point he was hiding it from followers, who gradually appeared more and more. For the convenience of recruiting adherents at first, “Kuzya” presented himself as an Orthodox bishop Roman. So it was much easier to recruit gullible older women - it was this category of citizens who turned out to be the most greedy for sectarian sermons. The self-styled "bishop" preached at Orthodox exhibitions, and also organized his own speeches in the building of the Soil Institute. In a private house in Lobnya, a self-made temple was equipped, in which the "bishop" conducted services. In the end, the activity of the “Bishop of Roman” attracted the attention of the Russian Orthodox Church. 2 February 2009 Archimandrite Anthony (Griban), vicar of Holy Pokrovsky Monastery, stated that the so-called “sovereign” Roman (Popov), who appears to be the bishop of the Sarnensky diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is in fact not as such a Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. In the same 2009, the “bishop's” performances at the Soil Institute also ceased. After that, services began to be held in an apartment in Bolshoi Kondratyevsky Lane, after whose name the sectarians were also called “Kondrats”.
After the appeal of the hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Andrei Popov no longer had any sense to impersonate the bishop, after which he “opened all the cards” and proclaimed himself a god. The faith of Andrei Popov is a jumble of various religious and mystical teachings. So, about itself “Kuzya” informed that it has on 82,5% - divine nature, embodied in spirit, soul, on 2,5% - human nature, embodied in the body, and on 15% - nature of the Virgin, embodied in love. As for Jesus Christ, according to Kuzi, he had a divine character on 60% and a human nature on 40%. Andrei Popov proclaimed himself as the embodiment of several biblical heroes and historical personalities at once: ““ souls helpers who live in Kuz ”- Jesus Christ (0,8%), Mother of God (0,8%), Sergius of Radonezh (0,4%), Archangel Gabriel (0,4%), John the Baptist (0,4%), the prophet Elijah (0,4%), the prophet Moses (0,4%), E. P. Blavatsky (0,4%); “The rest (minor)” - Iosif Obruchnik, the prophet Ezekiel, Abraham, Solomon, Adam, Holy Prince Vladimir, Nikolai Ugodnik, Great Martyr Ekaterina, Tsarevich Alexy, Guy Julius Caesar, M. V. Lomonosov, M. Yu. Lermontov, Shiva, E. I. Roerich. Having ceased to be a “bishop of Romans”, Andrei Popov was increasingly referred to as “Kuzma”, or “Kuzma”. That was the name of the parrot who once lived in his house and deserved such a master's love that after the death of the bird he took his name as a pseudonym. In general, the history of the relationship between “God of Kuzi” and animals is very interesting and, in its own way, touching. Since childhood, Andrei Popov dreamed of his own zoo, but he had a chance to have only a crab and a parrot - that same Kuzyu. However, when he headed a sect and began to collect money from adepts, then Kuzi’s childhood dreams about his own zoo were embodied. So, on one of the New Year holidays, followers presented Kuza with two million rubles for the purchase of various animals. At one time, a crocodile named Tosh, Iguana Gunya, fish, butterflies lived at Kuzi. Then, during a police raid, the crocodile and iguanas were confiscated, the Australian echidna, the battleship and the talking parrot were seized for the last time. Neighbors of the “god” complained that he periodically released butterflies and iguanas into the porch. However, these were only the most innocent pranks of a man who called himself "god."
“To whom resurrection is not the father, to that Kuzya is not the mother”
For several years, “Kuzey” a very closed and rigidly centralized sect was created. He divided both his followers and those not connected with the sect of people into several categories, also called "circles." The first round includes the wives of the “god”, whom he has several (according to one data - two, according to others - four). The second circle is represented by a woman, called "Sunday" - this is Popov's main assistant in organizing "spiritual" affairs. The third circle is the so-called “apostles”, or assistants of “Kuzi”, who carry out his assignments. The female part of the third circle can also function as Kuzi concubines, a kind of “harem” of the sectarian “god”. The fourth circle is represented by ordinary followers, who are called "Saturday workmen" and perform the functions of raising funds at Orthodox exhibitions and fairs. In the fifth round "Kuzya" includes most of humanity - that is, all those who are not aware of the existence of "God." Finally, the sixth category is made up of former sectarians and relatives of sectarians, who reject the “divine nature of Kuzi” and therefore are considered as sect enemies. Their "Kuzya" calls "cucumbers" or "vegetables." In the sect, strict subordination of “subbotniks” to “Sundays” is established, and the discipline is maintained quite strictly, up to the methods of physical influence. "Kuzya" sets up its followers to sever relations with the outside world, including parents and children. He advises children to be sent to boarding schools or to senior relatives, as relatives are representatives of the “dark forces”, “demons”. In relation to relatives, according to sectarian teachings, any methods can be allowed, including their physical elimination. At religious services in the sect methods of mental influence on adepts are used. In particular, “Kuzya” inspires its followers that “dominates” over their lives and at any moment can simply send death to them - “throwing a face” in sectarian slang.
Since the Kuzi sect is totalitarian, a special place is given to full control over the personal life of sectarians. In fact, they do not have it. Periodically, at meetings of the sect, meetings are organized to analyze the behavior of sectarians, called otters. By the way, the followers of “Kuzi” also pay money for participating in such discussions, as they are sure that they are undergoing a kind of spiritual cleansing procedure. First of all, the discussions inspire a negative attitude towards their own relatives, while the sect followers themselves are subjected to a stream of insults from their “god” - this is how he brings up “humility” in them. More stringent ways of bringing up “humility” are beating with the lash on the back and even on the face. Typically, such methods are resorted to when a sectarian is convicted of communicating with relatives or using medications (the latter are prohibited in the Kuzi sect). Naturally, the sectarians give Kuze huge sums of money, often selling their real estate. But the main income, as suggested by experts, the sect receives from regular participation in Orthodox exhibitions - fairs, where its followers in the guise of Orthodox monks and believers sell literature and collect donations. Only one outlet controlled by Kuze brings at least 200 thousand rubles per day. Researcher at the Institute of Psychology RAS Prokopishin stresses that “Popov is not crazy, he is a fraudster, who gives an excellent account of his actions. Narcissus, who does not care about people, who scoffs at them and at their faith. The image of God is the role to which he went from a simple church servant, realizing that you can earn money on religion ”(quoted in: Nalbandyan, L. The tragic secrets of the sect of“ God Kuzi ”// Sobesednik.ru. - 13.05.2013).
In 2014, sect activity finally attracted close attention from law enforcement. The reason for the police activities against the sect was a statement about the beatings. Apartments on Krasnoproletarskaya Street and Bolshoi Kondratyevsky Lane 8 in May 2014 were searched, as a result of which money in the amount of 240 million rubles and 150 thousand US dollars, religious literature and over 50 of exotic animals, including Australian echidnum, crocodile, were discovered , armadillo, iguana, monitor lizard. The animals were transferred to the Moscow Zoo. In addition, video materials identified by investigators as “child pornography” were discovered. 16 May 2014, the criminal case that was opened by the Inquiry Department of the Internal Affairs Directorate for the Central Administrative District of Moscow under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in respect of Popov A.Yu., was transferred to the Office of Inquiry of the Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow. 22 May 2014 was brought to the police for interrogation by Kuzya himself, but he took advantage of constitutional law and refused to testify. Actually, this time - after a year and a half - “Kuzya” just as well did not want to communicate with the police. He referred to poor health and reminded the police that he is disabled in the second group. The sect leader, of course, rejected suspicions of fraud and said that he was not engaged in any subversive activity and did not understand at all why he could have attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies. In its activities, "Kuzya" does not see anything illegal. However, law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Fraud”. It is not known how events will develop further, but if you follow previous experience - there are serious reasons to believe that the police action will not end with anything serious for “God Kuzi”. Moreover, it will even help him strengthen his financial situation, since compassionate adepts will rush to raise funds for the “salvation of God from captivity”.
Is the “White Brotherhood” back from the nineties?
The activity of the sect of “God Kuzi” is far from an isolated case of the existence of such non-traditional cults in the country. The spiritual vacuum that became the direct result of the problems and contradictions that Russian society has faced over the past two decades has created fertile ground in society for the spread of all kinds of quasi-religious and mystical teachings. Many destructive cults act in fact and as criminal organizations, engaging in fraudulent acts and extortion against people who have fallen into the orbit of their influence. In 1990-s. The most notorious totalitarian sect of “domestic production” was, of course, the “White Brotherhood” - this is how the Great White Brotherhood YUSMALOS was abbreviated. This organization appeared in 1990-1991 in Kiev. The sect was founded by Yuri Krivonogov and Maria Tsvigun. Krivonogov proclaimed himself Saint John of Swami (Saint John the Baptist), and Mary Tsvigun - Mary Devi Christ, that is, the incarnation of Jesus Christ and, at the same time, his mother and bride. Thirty-year-old Maria Mammonova (as was the maiden name of Tsvigun), by this time she managed to graduate from the journalism department of Kiev State University, become a member of the Union of Journalists of Ukraine, and even join the CPSU. In April, 1990. Maria experienced clinical death, and supposedly it was this experience that contributed to her “enlightenment”. In May, 1990 was introduced to her by Yuri Krivonogov (born 1941) - a former researcher at the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Novosibirsk, who in recent years has been interested in the Krishna teachings. The couple joined forces and soon branches of the “White Brotherhood” appeared in the cities of the Soviet Union, preaching the coming to the land of “Mother Mary” and the imminent end of the world. The sect ideology was a mixture of Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism, the positions of which were synthesized and distorted. Like other totalitarian sects, the White Brotherhood forced its followers to sever all sorts of relationships with their relatives. Sect members lived in rented apartments, and the apartments changed periodically and the sectarians moved from place to place, sometimes even changing cities. In fact, the entire personal life of the sectarians was placed under the complete control of the higher hierarchs of the Brotherhood.
The formal head of the sect was proclaimed Vitaly Kovalchuk, who received in the sectarian hierarchy the title of the Pope and the name "John Peter the Second." The size of the sect grew exponentially, and Mary Devi Christ gathered whole stadiums for her "divine services". The White Brotherhood’s activities quickly became interested in the security forces and the police. 1 On April 1992, criminal proceedings were instituted against Tsvigun and Krivonogova under article 199 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Ukraine “Unauthorized occupation of a land plot and unauthorized construction” and article 143 “Fraud”. But soon the investigation of these articles was discontinued. However, the sectarians did not let up. So, in the summer of 1993, adherents of YUSMALOS set about the tactics of brawlers in Orthodox churches. Bursting into the temples, they provoked the believers, arranging disruptions in worship and hooliganism in the altars. The sectarians aimed at provoking Orthodox Christians to commit murder of rowdy men, but believing Christians turned out to be prudent and restrained people. The sectarians did not spill the blood, so the adherents of the “White Brotherhood”, who were waiting for the end of the world, made several loud tricks. 10 November 1993, a group of several dozen sectarians attempted to seize the Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, but was detained by the police. On November 14, sectarians of a total number of people in 600 tried to organize mass riots in Kiev, but were dispersed by the Ukrainian police. During the riots in the cathedral, Yuri Krivonogov and Maria Tsvigun were arrested, and six months later, Vitaly Kovalchuk surrendered to the authorities. The investigation into the case of Maria Zvigun lasted a long time. Only 9 in February 1996. The Kyiv City Court passed sentences: Yuri Krivonogov was sentenced to six years, Vitaly Kovalchuk to five, and Maria Tsvigun herself to four years in a penal colony. Freed from prison, Maria Tsvigun settled in Donetsk together with her new husband, the Apostle Peter the Second.
Yuri Krivonogov, after his release, refused to participate in the sect, changed his last name to Silvestrov and got a job in one of the Kiev shops. But Maria Tsvigun tried to continue the activities of a religious preacher. In 1998-2001 She repeatedly tried to create an officially registered religious community of the White Brotherhood, but every time she was refused by the Committee on Religious Affairs. Finally, in 2006, she moved to Moscow, also changing her name to “Victoria Transfiguration”. In Moscow, the former Maria Devi Christ founded the “Cosmic Polyart of the Third Millennium”, aimed at “uniting spiritual painting, drawing, poetry, music, dance). In May 2013, it became known that Tsvigun - Preobrazhenskaya began to revive the “White Brotherhood” and resumed the sermons in order to recruit new adepts. Shortly after this news, Russian law enforcement agencies intervened. 19 July 2013 The Yegoryevsky Court of the Moscow Region recognized the White Brotherhood’s religious literature as extremist and included it in the Federal List of Extremist Materials. This court decision was made on the basis of the expertise of the Russian Institute of Cultural Research. In accordance with the court decision, it was found that the religious literature of the “White Brotherhood” contains statements calling for the promotion of exclusiveness, superiority or inferiority of a person on grounds of religious affiliation, violation of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of a person and citizen, depending on his religious affiliation, the incitement of religious hatred ”(The literature of the religious community“ The White Brotherhood ”was recognized extremist // NEWSru.com, 19.07.2013). It is likely that members of the “White Brotherhood” carried out running-in of the newest manipulation technologies, allowing to control the psyche and behavior of people. It is possible that the activities of the "Brotherhood", as well as many other totalitarian sects, penetrated or started in the 1990-s. its activities in Russia and other post-Soviet states, was inspired by the US special services. In May 2015, it became known that the followers of Maria Tsvigun resumed their activities in Ukraine.
Hunger and pain "Shambhala"
Another dangerous sect that has existed on the territory of Russia for twenty years was the Ashram of Shambhala (this sect had other names - Belovodie, Path in Belovodye, International Path to Happiness Academy, Russian Tantric School , Sotidanandana Yoga Center). Its branches operated in 18 subjects of the Russian Federation, bringing together approximately 15-20 thousands of people. At the head of the sect was a certain Konstantin Rudnev 1967 year of birth. After graduating from the engineering college in his native Novosibirsk, Rudnev was drafted into the ranks of the Soviet Army. It was there that his strange inclinations first appeared - the soldier began to convince the command to transform the military unit on the model of the Shaolin monastery. In the end, he was sent straight from the unit to the Samara Psychiatric Hospital, where he stayed until 1989. After being freed from a mental hospital, Rudnev returned to Novosibirsk and created a health center, on the basis of which the Shambhala Ashram appeared in 1990. Rudnev expounded his views in the book “The Path of the Fool”, in which he ridiculed the main social institutions of modern civilization, including the family and the state, opposed the birth of children and work, and instead called for promiscuous sexual relations, calling it “tantric ministry.” Rudnev himself called at once several names that sounded quite exotic: “Avatar Muni”, “Sotilian Sikorisky”, “Altai Kagan Bogomudr”, “Embryo trapped on the ground through UFOs”, etc. The leader of the sect was assisted by Elena Zakharova - she is "Shri Subi Lakshmi Devi", or Selena, who served as the main priestess of the cult, and Pavel Khandozhko - "Shri Ganesh" - a former surgeon who led the "tantric sessions."
“The Shambhala Ashram” had much in common with other totalitarian sects, including the above described “sect of the god Kuzi” and the “White Brotherhood”. So, from adherents required a complete dissolution of relations with the outside world. People from the outside world were called “mice”. Naturally, in relation to them any unseemly deeds were allowed, moreover - they were even desirable. Abandoning worldly life, adherents of the “Ashram” were placed in rented apartments or houses. In one room usually lived 16-20 people. At six in the morning, the sectarians waited for a rise, followed by hour-long physical exercises - push-ups to music. This warm-up was repeated hourly, including at night. Depriving adherents of a sect of normal sleep was considered as one of the reliable ways to completely destroy the will and submission of the psyche. During the day, the sectarians were engaged in manufacturing all sorts of items for sale - magic amulets, bracelets, as well as the rewriting of sectarian literature. In fact, the sectarians were starving, eating only the cleaning of vegetables and pearl barley. Chronic malnutrition turned sect adepts into half-animals, ready to pounce on their companion in misfortune in order to take away an additional piece of squalid food. Some of them had hair and teeth falling out of malnutrition, to which Rudnev declared to them that this phenomenon was normal in the process of becoming a “man of the sixth race”. The “visiting card” of the Rudnev sect was group orgies, including those of a violent nature, homosexual acts, as well as mockery of sectarians, including burning skin or dipping into the toilet. As reported by the media, the sale of sectarian property, video production of occult and pornographic content, brought to Rudnev at least 10 million dollars.
Since 1999, law enforcement agencies have made repeated attempts to curb illegal activities carried out by Konstantin Rudnev and his closest aides. For example, in 1999, the Novosibirsk Prosecutor’s Office initiated a criminal case under Article 239 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Organization of an association infringing upon the person and the rights of citizens”). But since Rudnev disappeared from the view of law enforcement agencies, the investigation was suspended. In September, 2004 Mr. Rudnev was nevertheless detained and gave a written commitment to appear in the prosecutor’s office for interrogation. At the end of October, 2008 was searched by police in two country houses in the Novosibirsk region, owned by Konstantin Rudnev. A search brought an unexpected catch to the Novosibirsk operatives: six people who were on the wanted list were detained, a significant amount of narcotic substances, an 23 laptop with pornographic video production were seized. In October, 2010, Mr. Konstantin Rudnev and several of his closest associates were arrested. The operation involved employees of the Investigative Committee, the FSB and the Interior Ministry. Rudnev and his associates were charged under a number of articles of the Criminal Code, including the creation of a religious association that infringes upon the person and the rights of citizens (part 1 Art. 239, Criminal Code), rape (part 1 Art. 131, Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), violent acts of a sexual nature (part 1 Art. 132 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), illegal storage and sale of narcotic drugs (Art. 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Fifteen people were recognized as victims of Rudnev’s activities, who filed suits against him for moral and material damage in the total amount of 18 million rubles. 7 February 2013 of the year Konstantin Rudnev was convicted under part 1, item 239 (creation of a religious association), part 1, item XXUMX (rape), part 131 item XXNX (violent acts of a sexual nature), partNNXX art. 1, part 132 Art. 1 (preparation for the illegal sale of narcotic drugs on a large scale) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The court sentenced Rudnev Konstantin Dmitrievich to eleven years of imprisonment with a sentence being served in a colony of strict regime. In addition, a fine was imposed in the amount of 30 thousand rubles and 3 million rubles were recovered by the court in favor of the victims. Somewhat later, one of the citizens who were recognized as victims in the Rudnev case, made a separate award to the leader of the sect for compensation in the amount of 228.1 thousand rubles.
The activity of sects as a way to destroy Russian society
The appearance and destructive activity of totalitarian sects on the territory of Russia is, first of all, a consequence of the hostile policy of the West, aimed at the destruction of the Russian state and society. Of course, there may be autonomous sects whose activities are entirely formed by their leader — a sick person, a fraudster or a fanatic, followed by a number of adepts. However, most of these sects are extremely small and practically unknown. In the case of numerous, active and rich sects, we see a completely different situation. The activity of the sect, like any other public association, requires the infusion of significant financial resources. Without the support from "outside," the sect will never reach the All-Russian level, will not be able to reach tens of thousands of adepts. In the modern world, religious contradictions are often used as the main tool of political destabilization in competitive or hostile countries. It is enough to pay attention to the events taking place in the Middle East and North Africa. The events in Ukraine also have significant religious overtones, although less pronounced due to the low level of religiosity of the Ukrainian population. The wide spread of sects in post-Soviet Russia, against the background of de-ideologization of post-Soviet society and the devaluation of former cultural and moral values, was stimulated, first of all, by the United States of America. It was from there that the majority of sectarian preachers were sent to Russia, thousands of copies of propaganda literature were brought. As a result, in a relatively short period of time, hundreds of sects, mostly of foreign origin, operated in the territory of the Russian Federation. Millions of Russian citizens who were formerly atheists or Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and representatives of other traditional religions of Russia were involved in the orbit of their activities. And, first of all, the emphasis was placed on young people - it was young people from decent families that were of particular interest to foreign preachers.
Sects can be used for the actual destruction of the national culture. It is no secret that a person joining a sect or cult no longer associates itself with his national community. A sect replaces him not only the family, but also the people, the nation, the homeland. There is a complete change in the human personality, and on the scale of a social group or society as a whole - a fundamental civilizational transformation. It is known that many representatives of sects of American origin, being born Russian-speaking people born and raised in Russia, in the Russian-speaking environment, after more or less long-term stay in the sect, even speak their native Russian language with an imitation of an American accent. This manner of speaking is instilled in them at weekly services and almost daily meetings. There is also a gradual assimilation of American cultural and behavioral norms. As lawyer Alexander Korelov notes, the chairman of the Legal Committee for the Protection of the Rights and Dignity of the Person at the Russian Association of Centers for the Study of Religions and Sects, “South Korea was the first state in the world whose mentality, culture and politics were radically changed by sects. She, starting with the 50-s, under the protectorate of the United States, was deliberately flooded with neo-Protestant pastors. Now Pentecostals and Baptists make up about 30% of the population, and Korea, with its ancient culture, is rapidly losing its identity, becoming more similar to one of the US Baptist states ”(Sects as a tool of information wars and the destruction of social unity of the state // http: // www .k-istine.ru /).
The activity of sects represents a great danger to the national security of the Russian state. First of all, it should be remembered that almost all sects of foreign origin are “agents of foreign influence” on the territory of Russia, with a disciplined and ready to carry out any instructions from their leadership of the flock. It is known that during the Euromaidan in Ukraine a rather impressive part of the demonstrators gathered in the square was represented, including by sectarians. Sects of American origin on the orders of their central leadership overseas brought their supporters to the streets of the Ukrainian capital. Yes, these were not militants like the Right Sector, but a large number of women and young people imitating the “peaceful nature of the protest” were represented just by sectarians. At the head of most sects of foreign origin are citizens of foreign countries, some of them reside on the territory of Russia or come to our country "arrivals" to control the activities of their local supporters. Naturally, these people act completely in the interests of their states. For example, the activity of Mormons in the territory of the Russian Federation still raises numerous questions from the Russian public. Indeed, on the territory of Russia, in almost every large city, there are groups of American citizens - young combat-ready people who carry out preaching activities, but it is possible that the latter may also be a cover for the implementation of any other functions. While the activities of foreign religious sects in the territory of the Russian Federation are concerned, above all, Orthodox public organizations, but this issue should concern, first of all, the authorities, especially the law enforcement agencies and services responsible for the security of the Russian state and the protection of the constitutional order.
Destructive cults and sects discussed in this article have different origins. The “White Brotherhood”, quite possibly, was created precisely for the purpose of manipulating the mass consciousness and studying the possibilities of controlling the behavior of people. “The Ashram of Shambhala” is the fruit of creativity of an not quite adequate person, moreover, self-motivated. Approximately this type of sect is also a cult of the “god Kuzi”, with the only difference being that it can be used by anti-Russian forces to discredit Orthodoxy - it’s not by chance that the Kuzi’s sectarians are most active at Orthodox events, and the Kuzma itself until recently time trying to impersonate an Orthodox clergyman. In any case, sects pose a significant danger to the Russian state and in the general list of tasks to ensure the national security of the country, the fight against the influence of destructive and foreign sects should occupy an important place.
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