...really no compromise at all — and that is why we find ourselves where we do today. The 1997 law noted the "special contribution of Orthodoxy to the history...development of Russia's spirituality and culture." As Secretary Rice noted, "In the United States, we separate church and state. But not every democracy...

...return of Torah scrolls. In its preamble (which government officials insist has no legal standing), the Religion Law recognizes the "special contribution...inseparable part of the country's historical heritage. Russian Orthodoxy is considered in conservative circles as the de facto official religion of the Russian...