Is Putin the most vile man in Europe?

Any impartial observer of the Russia-Ukraine War would be aggrieved at the innocent suffering of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's immoral and unjust invasion of their country. I commend this new documentary, A Faith Under Siege, to my readers. 

In Ukraine's eastern regions, once known as the post-Soviet "Bible Belt," a thriving Evangelical and Protestant community faces existential threats under Russian occupation. A Faith Under Siege explores the brutal persecution of Ukrainian Christians caught in Russia's imperial ambitions. Deemed heretics by the Russian Orthodox Church—a key Kremlin ally—these believers endure systematic oppression: their churches demolished or confiscated, pastors subjected to torture or execution, and families fractured through forced religious "conversions" or kidnappings. Despite facing extrajudicial killings and conducting worship in secret, while thousands of children are transported to militarized Russian camps, an unexpected solidarity has emerged. Christians across denominational lines have united in resistance, bolstered by international supporters determined to spotlight their ongoing suffering.

https://www.faithundersiege.com

Is this what things are coming to?

Heaven's special whites only section

Christians who have their fingers on the pulse of church trends will be aware of the alarming rise of the Stone Choir movement. To be brief, this movement, which originated in the Lutheran Church, is made up of a subset of Christians who are dogmatic antisemites and racists. Let's not beat around the bush; they are actually fascists. Not only do they believe that the Bible requires them to hate Jews, they also believe that being Caucasian merits special favour in the eyes of God. 

This podcast from the prominent American Christian apologist and pastor, James R White, is a useful primer on the insidious threat this movement poses to the church. It must be confronted urgently. As White himself says in this podcast, if this movement has not yet infiltrated your church, it soon will. 


https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/answering-antisemitism-with-gospel-truth/id1186473673?i=1000704611763 

Idolatry is a dirty word

AI image of Baal. 

Uncomfortable but necessary reading. 

Baal, Molech, and Ashtoreth: How Ancient Demons Are Rewriting Australia’s Culture - The Daily Declaration

The bad orange man

My former fellow librarians in the Northern Hemisphere aren't too happy in Donald Trump's America. They have responded by becoming more overtly politicised then they were before Trump returned to office in January 2025. 

America's Librarians Became Militantly Political

The Putin facade

Putin playing his favourite Christian worship song

These thoughts are prompted by a social media post I came across the other day, outlining Russian President Vladimir Putin's domestic policy agenda. He is a strong supporter of the Russian Orthodox Church, and in his speeches and other public statements, rejects identity politics, and the redefinition of marriage, family, and gender, in much of what is described as the post-Christian West. 

This resonates with an alarmingly high number of Christian social media users in the west, not just in the United States, but throughout the English speaking world. I come across them almost every day.  

As Michael Bird observed, Putin is "is considered by many American evangelicals to be the defender of an ethnically homogenous “Christian society.” 

This is presented as evidence of Putin's genuine and strong personal Christian faith. Their line of reasoning is that because Putin has pro-Christian policies, he must be one himself. They appear to overlook what Putin is actually doing. 

Firstly, is Putin's God okay with him muzzling his political opponents, killing journalists who criticise him, and invading other countries? I wouldn't want to worship a God who lets someone get away with such evil actions. 

Secondly, how can Christians accept the notion that Putin is fighting against Christophobia while also perpetrating it, by restricting the religious freedoms of Russian Christians in other denominations? This is widely reported, and irrefutable.

I don't understand why too many of my fellow Christians cannot see through his façade. 

The prophet Isaiah warned against pretending to be God-fearing, while actually having a corrupt and evil heart (Isaiah 29:13)

Similarly, in his letter to Titus, the apostle Paul writes of such men as Putin, who were, to be blunt, fake Christians:

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

Titus 1:16

He’s just another politician using Christian symbols and language as a political prop, to make himself look good. He has done this from the very day he took power in 2000. Far from being a genuine Christian, and an exemplar of a strong Christian politician, it would be more accurate to describe Putin as a cunning and evil hypocrite.

https://www.abc.net.au/religion/michael-bird-why-american-evangelicals-venerate-putin/103550090

https://www.persecution.org/.../what-putins-re-election.../

https://time.com/6969273/russias-war-against-evangelicals/

Please stop the music

This is why sportspeople should never be allowed to also have music careers. Former Australian footballer Mark "Jacko" Jackson released this single 40 years ago, this month. I'm An Individual is best described as a shouty rap, and reached number 15 on the Australian music charts. 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/may/28/aussie-rules-footballers-sing-joy-of-six

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_an_Individual

Putin the Jesus freak

Messing about with an AI app, I created this picture of Jesus with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, looking chummy. I am making a point about Putin's dubious claims of being a Christian, which too many people, at least in the social media world, have been taken in by. 

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/womantowoman/2025/03/is-putin-really-a-christian-the-answer-may-surprise-you/