7/22/2024 — OPINION: The Conservative Trap: How Putin’s Russia Misleads the Right

American Christians and conservatives have been fooled by Putin’s strongman posture, mistaking ruthlessness for moral fortitude. The miscalculation could spell disaster for the US.

From: Kyiv Post

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on July 10, 2024. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)

In recent years, some American conservatives have developed a misplaced admiration for Vladimir Putin’s Russia, viewing it as a bastion of traditional values and a counterbalance to liberal excesses in the West. This misconception, however, is dangerously misleading. Contrary to the portrayal by some media and pundits, Putin’s Russia is not a traditionalist paradise but rather a continuation of Bolshevik Russia’s legacy in a post-truth digital world. Understanding this reality is essential for those committed to defending Western values and principles.

Putin’s regime is often mislabeled as ultra-right and conservative due to its strongman image and opposition to liberal ideologies, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. However, these superficial stances mask a deeper alignment with the authoritarian and collectivist tendencies of the Bolshevik era. Russia under Putin ranks dismally in key areas reflecting societal health and morality, such as high rates of abortions, divorces, suicides, and state economic intervention.

Moreover, the so-called revival of the Russian Orthodox Church is largely superficial. Regular attendance is below 2 percent, and less than 5 percent of Russians have read the Bible. This facade of religiosity contrasts sharply with the genuine religious commitment found in countries like Ukraine. The current Moscow Patriarch, a former KGB agent, exemplifies this hypocrisy, blessing acts of violence while silencing dissenting clergy.

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