...welcomed by the Jewish community. In its preamble (which government officials insist has no legal force), the 1997 religion law recognizes the "special contribution...inseparable part of the country's historical heritage. Russian Orthodoxy is considered in conservative nationalist circles as the de facto official religion...

...standing), the 1997 ïligion law recognizes the "special contribution of Orthodoxy to the history of Ruesia and to the establishment and development of Russia's...inseparable part of the country's historical heritage. Russian Orthodoxy is considered in conservative nationalist circles as the de facto official religion...

...and has concerns about the return of Torah scrolls, many of which are in state museum collections. In its preamble (which government officials insist...inseparable part of the country's historical heritage. Russian Orthodoxy is considered in conservative nationalist circles as the de facto official religion...

...state. No religion may be established as a state or compulsory religion." However, the preamble also recognizes "the special contribution of Orthodoxy...development of Russia's spirituality and culture." Other religions that constitute "an inseparable part of the historical heritage of Russia's peoples"...

...convictions; basing itself on the fact that the Russian Federation is a secular state; recognizing the special contribution of Orthodoxy to the history...development of Russia's spirituality and culture, respecting Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and other religions and creeds which constitute an...

...current text: Basing itself on the fact that the Russian Federation is a secular state; recognizing the special contribution of Orthodoxy to the history...development of Russia's spirituality and culture; " Lithuanian 1997 Law, art. 5. w Ibid., art. 6. 1" Russian 1997 Law. 40 Law of the Russian Soviet Federative...

...of church leaders. The preamble of the 1997 Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations recognizes "the special contribution of Orthodoxy...development of Russia's spirituality and culture." In November 2002, the Ministry of Education announced that a course in Orthodox civilization would...

...preamble identifies Russian Orthodoxy, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism as "traditional religions" and recognizes the "special contribution of Orthodoxy...development of Russia's spirituality and culture." Neither the Constitution nor the 1997 law accords explicit privileges or advantages to "traditional...

...receive no state benefits, and would be required to register each year.60 The preamble to the 1997 law "recognizes the special contribution of Orthodoxy...development of Russia's spirituality and culture." The preamble also "respects Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism, and other religions and creeds...

...tripartite classification of religious groups is adumbrated in the preamble to the 1997 law. The preamble "recogniz[es] the special contribution of Orthodoxy...development of Russia's spirituality and culture." It further "respect[s] Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and other religions and creeds which constitute...