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"But they chose as targets not Buddhists, Roman Catholics, or Orthodox," he continued. "Their blow was ultimately directed at the system of liberal values, which is asserted in the modern world through a network of international organizations as a universal model of civilization which has no alternatives."

Discussions about the terrorist attacks and the U.S. response are particularly delicate in Russia because the country has a large and growing Muslim minority of about 20 million who are extremely sensitive to broad accusations of "Islamic terrorism."

In Russian Muslim publications and statements by some Muslim activists, the terrorist acts are often described as "provocations." However, the link between the acts and Afghanistan is questioned.

The Inter-Religious Council of Russia, which brings together Orthodox Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist officials, issued a statement urging politicians and journalists to demonstrate "wisdom and caution" in their approach to the conflict.

"Our religious communities condemn the terrorist acts in America in the same way as they condemned explosions of apartment buildings in Russian cities, kidnappings, and murders in Chechnya, destruction of Christian churches and Muslim mosques in the Balkans and defilement of synagogues in Russia," the statement said. It urged the public "to draw a distinction between fanatical terrorists and well-intentioned followers of Islam."

Copyright © 2001 ENI.

The official site for the Russian Orthodox Church has information on the mission of the church and history.

For more Russian religion news, see Paul D. Steeves's News About Religion in Russia site.

Christianity Today essays and analysis following September 11 include:

Rally Round the Flag | America may not be God's chosen nation, but it does have a mission that churches can support. (Nov. 7, 2001)

Wake-up Call | If September 11 was a divine warning, it's God's people who are being warned. (Nov. 5, 2001)

White-Powder Worries | The anthrax scare has put us on edge. How shall we deal with wartime fears? (Nov. 1, 2001)

Where Was God on 9/11? | Reflections from Ground Zero and beyond. (Oct.23, 2001)

Christian History Corner: Apocalypse Not | As speculations mount regarding the significance of recent events in God's plan for the end of the world, voices from the past urge restraint. (Oct.12, 2001)

Judgment Day | God promised that calamity would follow disobedience. So why are we quick to dismiss it as a reason for the September 11 attacks? (Sept. 25, 2001)

Now What? | A Christian response to religious terrorism. (Sept. 21, 2001)

To Embrace the Enemy | Is reconciliation possible in the wake of such evil? (Sept. 21, 2001)

After the Grave in the Air | True reconciliation comes not by ignoring justice nor by putting justice first, but by unconditional embrace. (Sept. 21, 2001)

Was September 11 the Beginning of the End? | Observers say geography and gravity of attacks have led to little prophecy speculation. (Sept. 19, 2001)

Books & Culture Corner: The Imagination of Disaster | "We thought we were invulnerable." Really? (Sept. 17, 2001)

Taking It Personally | What do we do with all this anger? (Sept. 14, 2001)

A Wake-Up Call to Become Global Christians | The deadly attacks on America will provoke many responses, but Christians are commanded to love our neighbors. (Sept. 12, 2001)

God's Message in the Language of Events | In the face of evil, we must focus on keeping our hearts right. (Sept. 11, 2001)above all else.

Reflections on Suffering | Classic and contemporary quotations for dark times. (Sept. 13, 2001)

When Sin Reigns | An event like this shows us what humans are capable of becoming—both as children of darkness and of light. (Sept. 13, 2001)

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November (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45