Last year, in protest to Russia's anti-blasphemy law that criminalized playing Pokémon GO in church, vlogger Ruslan Sokolovsky filmed himself catching Pokémons in Yekaterinburg’s Church of All Saints, the site where the last Emperor of Russia Nicholas II and his family were murdered in 1918, and shared the footage on his YouTube channel:

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The 22-year old was then detained for two months for “inciting hatred” and “insulting religious feelings” after posting the video, and later taken to a pre-trial detention center for breaching the terms of his house arrest after the young man had posted a video on the Internet though he had been banned from using the web and mobile communications. Judgement was passed this Thursday and Sokolovsky was found guilty of all charges.

"In accordance with the expert evaluation, the court found blogger Sokolovsky guilty of inciting hatred, violating religious feelings and illegal possession of special technical means - a pen with a video camera," said judge Yekaterina Shoponyak who granted the prosecutors' wish and gave the vlogger a 3.5-year suspended sentence.

Judge Shoponyak pointed out that the 22-year old video blogger was on trial not only for playing the game in the church but also for posting several videos that offended believers. She listed "mockery of the immaculate conception," ''denial of the existence of Jesus and Prophet Muhammad" and "giving an offensive description of Patriarch Kirill," the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

During the court hearings, Sokolovsky did not deny that he had been the author of these videos but concerning the pen with a camera, he reportedly said that not only was the pen not his, but that it wasn’t a camera at all, but instead just a light bulb.

During the interrogation of eyewitnesses, the blogger apologized to all worshippers who had complained about being offended.

What do you think of this case? Was the verdict fair in finding Sokolovsky guilty who on top of violating the country's anti-blasphemy law, additionally breached the terms of his house arrest? Or is suppressing one's freedom of expression a more serious offense?

SOURCE 1, SOURCE 2

 

[FAST6191]

This bullshit is my biggest problem with religions. They always want beneficial treatment. It's never about equal respect to other religions. Scientology is just as much a religion as the Abrahamic ones.

That gets tricky. The problem with scientology being called a religion tends to be with governments and how they classify things for tax purposes, mainly as they don't want cults to benefit from such things. Scientology then has trouble as it meets some of the definitions of cult, though at the same time they have some very good lawyers and are not afraid to use them.

Regarding not respecting other religions I can't really blame them. One of the reasons given for the decline of polytheism was economic -- you have 1000 people worshipping the god of the day, and 1000 for the god of the night and they present a less cohesive front than 1500 going in for some singular boss god. Knowing this and needing retention you kind of have to start otherising people.

That said special treatment strikes me as odd. I was stateside once and the news was crying over how one church was going bankrupt. They then showed some pictures inside it. Fully gym, massive pool, cinemas, concert hall... basically one of the best leisure centres I have ever seen, and apparently this was a small one (it was fall smaller than what gets dubbed a mega church elsewhere there). I went past it a few weeks later and it was better than the news people had shown. Was not a tax bill which ultimately did them in, don't know if it was completely tax free but were that my house I would be paying more, but the bills for building it caught up with them.

 

[wolfmankurd]

The problem with scientology being called a religion tends to be with governments and how they classify things for tax purposes, mainly as they don't want cults to benefit from such things.

IMHO they are all cults with mostly negative effects. I would want them all to be stripped of tax benefits. They should have to go the non-profit route for tax benefits and prove themselves charities like atheistic organisations do.

 

[cthompson80]

You guys are getting way off topic. Why not end this thread? There's no reason why this kid needs to be defended for his actions. If you feel laws need to be broken then you'd have all ready went and broken one. Being rebellious and all. However you remain posting on here not practicing what you preach. Hurry up, break that law, stand your ground and get arrested. Once you get back please post on here how your time in jail went. Also please don't indulge us with nonsense if you didn't get arrested.

If you feel this kid was unjustfully condemned then do as he did. At least he did it. What have you done? Nothing but post your opinion on here. Those of us who agree with the law and their actions speak facts and true common knowledge. Not opinion. It doesn't take a lot of thought to not do something when you know you may face bad consequences for doing it.

Whatever though. This is what separates the smart from the dumb. Don't think though that your efforts are noble or revolutionary or will make a good impact. All you will accomplish is becoming a drain on society. Get off your soap box and doing something more productive than cry and complain about the laws of the land. I have no sympathy for those that break the law, well knowing that they've done so. Those people deserve whatever punishment is coming to them regardless of the reasons behind their actions.

This law isn't hurting anyone. If anything it's protecting people and giving them the peace of mind to practice their religion in a religious place without impeding upon their belief system. If the tables were turned I'm sure this kid wouldn't appreciate it if religious people came into his home or establishment and imposed their religious beliefs upon himself and those who share the space in his establishment. All the while there's rules posted saying "No religious practices or discussion allowed. Violators will be prosecuted." If they did he would be offended and pursue legal matters. Assuming he would of course.

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[bi388]

If you feel laws need to be broken then you'd have all ready went and broken one. Being rebellious and all. However you remain posting on here not practicing what you preach. Hurry up, break that law, stand your ground and get arrested.
...
This law isn't hurting anyone

I won't get arrested because free speech and playing games in church is legal here. They would just ask me to leave. Don't tell me that because I don't break a law that doesn't exist here I don't care about it existing somewhere else, that's a non sequitur and in general a shitty argument. Also the law is hurting someone, it's hurting anyone who wants to use their human right of free speech to say anything bad about the church. That's called fascism and don't tell me it's not harmful.

 

[Elveman]

Well, this law in particular is absurd, no denies. Sometimes it seems that it exists purely to trigger non-believers. However, regarding this vlogger, he did all those things knowing about this law and breaking it on purpose, so, disregarding the absurdity of this law, that's the logical consequence here (although jeez, 3.5 years). Honestly, I don't really care if something supernatural exists out there or not (the only thing I believe in is the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics because the Copenhagen interpretation sucks) but this situation bothers me because the Pokemon community got involved again, and it's pretty harmful for the main series' players and non-Pokemon GO fans. For most people in our country that heard about Pokemon, the Pokemon franchise only means two things: the cartoon from 2000s and the Pokemon GO. They don't know anything about 2+ Gen Pokemon, and the standard reaction for playing pokemon (main series) is "You still play Pokemon?" implying the wave of hype when Pokemon GO was released, and nothing more. Take everything you know about genwunners, people saying that Pokemon is for kids etc., exponentiate that and you'll get the consequences of this game on Russian Pokemon community.
And now there's that. That means, more hatred towards Pokemon. Oh well

 

[cthompson80]

I won't get arrested because free speech and playing games in church is legal here. They would just ask me to leave. Don't tell me that because I don't break a law that doesn't exist here I don't care about it existing somewhere else, that's a non sequitur and in general a shitty argument. Also the law is hurting someone, it's hurting anyone who wants to use their human right of free speech to say anything bad about the church. That's called fascism and don't tell me it's not harmful.

I never said for you to go into a church to break a law. I just said go break a law.

Free speech has its limits and common sense goes so far when using it. Dumb decisions get dumb rewards. Argue it as much as you want. The kid is stupid. He's in jail now so it doesn't matter. One less punk kid to deal with. Maybe when he's 25 he'll have grown up some. I doubt it though. He seems to lack a fair amount of intelligence. Oh well. Peace be with you little boy 22. Lol

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[bi388]

I never said for you to go into a church to break a law. I just said go break a law.

Free speech has its limits and common sense goes so far when using it. Dumb decisions get dumb rewards. Argue it as much as you want. The kid is stupid. He's in jail now so it doesn't matter. One less punk kid to deal with. Maybe when he's 25 he'll have grown up some. I doubt it though. He seems to lack a fair amount of intelligence. Oh well. Peace be with you little boy 22. Lol

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1. Why would I break a law to protest a different law that doesn't even exist in this country? What the hell would that accomplish? Tell the government "I robbed Wal-Mart because I don't like Russia infringing on free speach?" Also he seems way smarter than you. He understands that in order to make a change you have to work, fight and sacrifice unlike you who seem to think if you ignore other people being discriminated against, nothing will ever happen to you.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 

[Dominator211]

2 words - BULL SHIT

 

[cthompson80]

1. Why would I break a law to protest a different law that doesn't even exist in this country? What the hell would that accomplish? Tell the government "I robbed Wal-Mart because I don't like Russia infringing on free speach?" Also he seems way smarter than you. He understands that in order to make a change you have to work, fight and sacrifice unlike you who seem to think if you ignore other people being discriminated against, nothing will ever happen to you.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

The problem with all of this is that nothing will change. It's Russia. Do you really think they will change. Honestly?

As far as you comment on my intelligence. I could care less about your opinion there. I know what I am, my capabilities and what I'm about.

What I'm about to do now is leave this discussion because I've wasted too much time all ready.

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[wolfmankurd]

I never said for you to go into a church to break a law. I just said go break a law.

Free speech has its limits and common sense goes so far when using it. Dumb decisions get dumb rewards. Argue it as much as you want. The kid is stupid. He's in jail now so it doesn't matter. One less punk kid to deal with. Maybe when he's 25 he'll have grown up some. I doubt it though. He seems to lack a fair amount of intelligence. Oh well. Peace be with you little boy 22. Lol

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He's not in jail. Shows how little you know.

 

[bi388]

The problem with all of this is that nothing will change. It's Russia. Do you really think they will change. Honestly?

As far as you comment on my intelligence. I could care less about your opinion there. I know what I am, my capabilities and what I'm about.

What I'm about to do now is leave this discussion because I've wasted too much time all ready.

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Do you understand how fallacious your argument is an how many counter examples there are of nations that did change once people spoke out and protested? And before you say "one person does nothing" there always has to be a first. Provide me evidence no one will follow him.

 

[SG854]

Russia's anti blasphemy laws are very stupid.

Basically if one goes out their way to insult a religion they can be jailed. With this law you are prioritizing the beliefs of some citizens over others. Basically you are prioritizing the feelings of believers over non believers, saying that believers feelings are more valid, and non believers should shut the hell up. This doesn't sound like freedom of speech at all. There can be many valid reasons why one would criticize a religion. And criticizing may result in insulting a persons religious feelings, but this is something that shouldn't be enforced by law. Religion should not get special treatment. Criticizing a church, the punishment should be no more severe than criticizing an old rusty car. You are protecting the freedom of believers to speak out their beliefs, but the not the freedom of non believers to speak out their disbelief's.

You can't even say that you deny the existence of God in Russia or else you will be jailed. Which is stupid. Because everyone in Russia is denying the existence of someone else's God. If your a Catholic you obviously don't believe in Greek Gods, so therefore denying the existence of Greek Gods, so should Catholics be jailed? Also vice versa for people that believe in Greek Gods. So should everyone be jailed. Who makes these dumbass laws? So a Catholic gets a free pass when denying the existence of Greek Gods, or any other Gods besides there own, but an Atheist gets jailed for denying any Gods. What the fuck kind of shit is this? Religious conversations must be awkward as fuck in Russia. Be careful how you deny or else jail time for you. In my Catholic religion there is only one God and all other Gods are false Gods. Whoops you insulted other peoples Gods by calling them fake false Gods, jail time for you, oh wait they don't get jail time for preaching it at their church, but an atheist does get jailed on some website?

About the vlogger, he went in the church peacefully, he wasn't kicking, screaming, or breaking anything. He played Pokemon Go peacefully and left, no one said a word to him, many people didn't even notice what he did. So who was he offensive too? Was he really that offensive. It was a silent protest on Russia's stupid law, a protest done in a way many people would consider a mature way to protest, compared to people breaking things and burning buildings down. There was no kicking and screaming at all. It was so silent that people didn't even notice protesting. People didn't even notice till he put videos up. What he posts online is his beliefs and his right to point of view. He should not be punished for that. You expect him to respect other peoples beliefs, but hypocritically your not respecting his by giving him a sentence. If you don't respect him saying his disbeliefs then fine, but using it as part of his 3.5 year sentence is too far.

 

[SS4]

Pokémon Go is really dumb but it can't even begin (or hope) to compete with religion in the dumbness department

 

[Captain_N]

gees. kinda harsh. but it is russia. and this is the type of government some want in the USA..... Imagine how many people would be jailed because they upset another. all you have to do is say trump is amazing or mac sux and the fragile snowflakes will get violent and burn down their own streets.....

 

[Vipera]

This law saving, let's say, Americans from being insulted on every turn. (This one in the political TV shows receiving money for it so he isn't mind it much.)
Russia is multi-religious, multicultural and multinational place. But you are supposed to respect other people, traditions and believes here. You are not suppose to publicly insult others views and suggest that others should do it too.

Such open-minded, professional country.

 

[BetaXenon]

Vipera,
Well, yeah, or UK Embassy is full of trolls. Even before Jonson become UK premiere minister. Open-minded and professional trolls. With highest education on trolling.
But, honestly, we keep trolling in politic since before Cold War, thought only on diplomatic channels that deems already lost or unefective.
Cuba didn't count, we has been serious here.

 

[sarkwalvein]

Oh, Russian homophobia...

 

[OldGnashburg]

To comment on the historical side of the church, I believe the Tsar's were murdered for being immensely cruel, greedy, and downright terrible monarchs. From what I learned in school, in World War 1 I believe the Tsar's sent out their military to fight without guns, shoes or even food. This was one of the reasons for the Russian Revolution and, if you think about, the bastards kind of deserved it. I don't think any of their children should have been killed, though.

 

[Tony_93]

He KNEW it was illegal, he RECORDED himself doing it... Gets arrested and sent to jail... Ridiculous laws or not can't say he didn't ask for it... Specially when he had broken other laws and broke his house arrest rules already... SMH...

 

[Deleted User]

Wow such a necrobumo