Day 1274
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The shiny distraction of divine hiddenness might not help to end the war, but it could make some Americans feel better about pretending to try.
Evangelical pastor Mark Burns, who the media calls the personal spiritual adviser to US President Donald Trump, has called Ukraine a country that defends religious freedom, and Russia a country that uses religion as a weapon.
“It is deeply troubling that during peace talks in Alaska, Vladimir Putin had the audacity to demand protections for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. This is the same institution being used by the Kremlin to justify war, bless missiles, and deceive millions by pretending their invasion is somehow holy,” Burns said regarding Putin's religious demands in Ukraine. (X, August 18, 2025)
According to him, Putin's statements about alleged concern for the security of the church, “while his own government bans Ukrainian churches in occupied territories is not just hypocritical, it is wicked.”
