Under the initiative of Armenia’s ARF Supreme Body, a roundtable discussion entitled “Spiritual security. Challenges, Problems” is held. The experts of the sphere, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Bishop Bagrat Galstyan, discussed the spiritual security related issues such as the absence of the definition of proselytism in the legislation, control over the activities of religious organizations and the existence or non-existence of religious police. A member of ARF SB, Lilit Galstyan, noted that it is not mandatorily for the situation to be disastrous for organizing such discussions, on the contrary, any country that is concerned about the security of the country and the society, the vital development, and identity has a priority need to study the spiritual security sphere, the national security challenges and to find solutions to them.
In his words, negligence of spiritual security in the context of national security, to put it mildly, is not very rationale, and “we have a problem with being vigilant and ensuring us with self-defense.” To the question of Aravot.am about whether the clergy being notable with problematic behavior do not pose a threat to our spiritual security, Lilit Galstyan replied, “The spiritual security component or, generally, the concept of security is built on the value system and it would be desirable for us to have the lesson of the spiritualism that strengthens our faith, and to have the exceptional reverence and consciousness of reputation towards our church. A spiritual security threat is said quite tough, but it would be desirable for us to have the church servants that are in the image of reverence of bow. Here, the role of the educational and cultural system is great.”
Monk of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Bishop Bagrat Galstyan, expressed his opinion that especially the spiritual security has social, moral and spiritual dimensions. He noted, “General, in the post-Soviet countries, the issues of religious movements remain unresolved. The Armenian Church is not against any religious movement and does not operate against the freedom of conscience. The mission of the Armenian Church is to expand religious propaganda.” Bishop Bagrat Galstyan expressed concern that the sphere is not regulated, and we have an uncontrollable situation in terms of religious organizations. The Bishop also noted that we still do not have the perception of a religious police, although, at times, it is spoken of the need for this structure.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
