"Large Families: The Future of Humanity" Under Way in Moscow

На итоговом пленарном заседании Международного форума «Многодетная семья и будущее человечества». pic.twitter.com/vx9SMbDdvl
— Елена Мизулина (@emizulina) September 11, 2014

As discussed in a prior post, the "Large Families: The Future of Humanity" conference is taking place in Russia. The Moscow event has attracted Religious Right figures from around the globe and courted no small amount of controversy. Right Wing Watch has diligently monitored Russian media outlets for news on the conference, and I have cited several of the Russian articles they unearthed (with the help of Google Translate, of course).

Scheduled speakers and moderators at the conference include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Errol Naidoo, Theresa Okafor, Family Watch International's Sharon Slater, Real Women of Canada's Gwendolyn Landolt, C-FAM's Austin Ruse, NOM's Brian Brown, World Congress of Family's Don Feder, and Miriam Grossman, author of a controversial book attacking comprehensive sex education.

The conference program features workshops on safeguarding the "traditional family" against feminists and LGBT activists.

• Civilization of Comfort and Death of the Traditional Family


• Life-Negative and Anti-Family Agenda at the UN


• Dignity of African Women in the Era of Radical "Gender and Reproductive Rights"


• International Promotion of Feminism and Gender Agenda Against Marriage and Childbearing


• How LGBT Activists Destroy Traditional Values in the West


• Endangered Russia 2140: Challenges for Strengthening Economic Support for Families with Children and Stimulating the Birth Rate

Much of the rhetoric at the conference focused on praising the "traditional family", preserving civilization from perceived enemies, and encouraging marriage and childrearing. Natalia Yakunin, the chair of the event's organizing committee, hoped that the event could contribute to an international movement for the "traditional family", reports Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Раньше невозможно было представить ситуацию, когда естественную, традиционную семью приходилось бы защищать ... Надеемся, что в итоге мы придем к созданию международного движения в поддержку традиционной семьи, в котором примут участие государство, общество и церковь.

"Previously, it was impossible to imagine a situation where a natural, traditional family would have to defend [itself] ... We hope that in the end, we arrive at the establishment of an international movement in support of the traditional family, which will be attended by the state, society and the Church." 

Rossiyskaya Gazeta also quoted Don Feder of the World Congress of Families, who was delighted that "the Cold War is over; now we are together in favor of the family and family values." Larry Jacobs of the World Congress of Families called the family "a source of peace and stability" and a bulwark against civilization-destroying forces.

Русские философы говорили, что потребительство и эгоизм ведут к разрушению цивилизации - традиционная семья восстает против этих явлений. Мы хотим напомнить миру, что Бог и традиционная семья - это основа благополучия общества.

"Russian philosophers said that consumerism and selfishness lead to the destruction of civilization. The traditional family rebels against these phenomena. We want to remind the world that God and the traditional family is the basis of the well-being of society."

According to the the Press Service of the Charity Foundation of St. Basil the Great, Yelena Mizulina praised Russia for remaining faithful to family values. Mizulina, chair of the Russian State Duma Committee on Family, Women, and Children and one of the architects of Russia's anti-gay law, argued that Russia must make a choice regarding the path it will take.

Мир и христианская цивилизация находятся сегодня на изломе, перед выбором: будем ли мы жить согласно христианским ценностям — ценностям естественной семьи, либо мы выберем совершенно иной путь ... Я очень рада, что живу в той стране, которая несмотря на социальные эксперименты прошлого века, несмотря на войны, несмотря на достаточно длительный период воинствующего атеизма, осталась верной ценностям традиционной семьи.

"Peace and Christian civilization are on a fissure today, faced with a choice: whether we live according to Christian values, the values ​​of the natural family, or [whether] we will choose a completely different way ... I am very glad that I live in the country which, despite the social experiments of the last century, despite the war, despite the rather long period of militant atheism, remained true to the values ​​of the traditional family."

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill spoke at the conference, telling his audience that love and devotion are strongly manifested in large families. He urged listeners to combat the "distrust and fear" that people have for large families.

Мы должны переломить недоверие и страх, которые существуют в отношении многодетности, вернуть многодетным родителям то уважение, которое они заслуживали, потому что из всех добрых и прекрасных человеческих дел рождение и воспитание детей — одно из самых великих

"We must reverse the distrust and fear that exist for large families, families with many children, to return the respect that they deserve, because [out of] of all the good and beautiful human affairs, birth and upbringing of children [is] one of the greatest."

At the website for the Foundation of St. Andrew and the Centre of National Glory, Patriarch Kirill was quoted as dismissing modern notions of marriage.

В последние годы мы сталкиваемся с попытками пересмотреть само представление о семье, изменить культуру и законодательство, чтобы понятие семьи было искажено и разрушено. Человека пытаются представить как изолированного индивидуума, вступающего с другими в некие договорные отношения, которые он может в любой момент разорвать. Брак воспринимается как контракт! Но не может быть счастья без самоограничения.

"In recent years, we are faced with attempts to reconsider the very idea of ​​the family, to change the culture and the law, [and thus] the concept of family has been distorted and destroyed. People are trying to present [themselves] as an isolated individual, to join with others in some contractual relationship that he may at any time break. Marriage is seen as a contract! But there can be no happiness without self-restraint."

Russian president Vladimir Putin also shared a message about large families with conference attendees. According to the Foundation of St. Andrew and the Centre of National Glory, Putin claimed that "large-scale demographic challenges" and "eroded moral values" have brought about a crisis for the institution of the family. "I am convinced that everything must be done to [make] a large family with many children the norm, enjoying high public recognition," he said.

The vision being celebrated at "Large Families: The Future of Humanity" is one of large families and retrograde values, which they see as under attack from outside forces. This vision allows no room for feminism, LGBTQ equality, or diverse definitions of marriage and family.

Equally troubling are some of the people involved in the conference. Russia passed a law banning gay "propaganda" in 2013, and Yelena Mizulina, one of the law's architects, helped organize the conference, according to Mother Jones. Mizulina has also been placed under U.S. sanctions due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reports Pink News. Vladimir Putin, who defended the anti-gay law and has drawn criticism for his human rights record, shared a message at the conference. Neither Putin nor Mizulina's reputations stopped attendees from participating in the conference, which says volumes about their priorities. How can Religious Right figures wax poetic about values when they rub shoulders with people like this?

Форум «Многодетная семья и будущее человечества» продолжил работу в Храме Христа Спасителя http://t.co/cwZDQyxkzf pic.twitter.com/T10gTPgHvR
— Проект Крепкая семья (@ks_er_ru) September 11, 2014

Представитель епархии участвует в форуме «Многодетная семья и будущее человечества» #Саратов http://t.co/mikwZPoboO pic.twitter.com/FJP6omasG9
— Новости Саратова (@saratovnews777) September 11, 2014

To read additional commentary, visit the following links.

Box Turtle Bulletin: Brian Brown, Sharon Slater Are Also At Moscow’s Totally-Not-The-World-Congress-Of-Families

Queerty: Are American Homophobes Playing Close To The Line With U.S. Sanctions Against Russia?

Christian Right Activism is a Global Issue

Cross-posted at Love, Joy, Feminism.


Many of us are familiar with the political and social activism of the Religious Right in the U.S., having observed its affronts to LGBTQ equality, reproductive rights, and religious pluralism. It's easy to think of the Christian Right as an American problem, but we must also remember that it's a global matter as well. As progressive bloggers and activists in the U.S. keep an eye on the Religious Right, we must also pay attention to right-wing Christian activism on the international stage.

Many key organizations among the American Religious Right network internationally. A well-known example is the role of American religious figures such as Scott Lively and Lou Engle in encouraging homophobia in Uganda, where a draconian anti-gay bill is currently under consideration. Documentaries such as Vanguard's Missionaries of Hate and God Loves Uganda explore the anti-gay activism of American evangelicals in Uganda, as do exposés such as Box Turtle Bulletin's Slouching Toward Kampala and Political Research Associates' Colonizing African Values: How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa.

Unfortunately, Uganda is not the only example of American Religious Right outreach. For instance, global symposiums such as the World Congress of Families conferences provide opportunities for Religious Right minds from around the world to network. The World Congress of Families views "statism, individualism and sexual revolution" as threats to the family, and its symposiums consistently challenge LGBTQ rights, abortion, and declining fertility. Past World Congress of Families symposiums have been sponsored by American Religious Right groups such as Alliance Defense Fund, Focus on the Family, and Concerned Women for America. NOM's Brian Brown, Concerned Women for America's Janice Shaw Crouse, anti-abortion activist Alveda King, and so-called "ex-gay" activist Richard Cohen are among the many Americans who have been scheduled to speak at World Congress of Families events. Errol Naidoo, founder of the South African Family Policy Institute, described networking with Sharon Slater of Family Watch International and Benjamin Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund at the Sixth World Congress of Families Conference.

Other large-scale gatherings allow American Religious Right leaders to connect with their overseas counterparts. For instance, Errol Naidoo told Joy Magazine that he was inspired to create the Family Policy Institute after attending the 2006 Values Voters Summit in the U.S. In a more recent example, National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown enthusiastically wrote about his time in France while a massive anti-LGBTQ march was taking place.

American Religious Right groups are targeting both domestic and international audiences for outreach. In November 2012, the American Independent reported that NOM sought to target the international business of LGBTQ-supportive companies such as Starbucks. New Apostolic Reformation preacher Lou Engle, affiliated with TheCall and the International House of Prayer, promoted an international missionary effort called Mission Ekballo at OneThing 2012. TheCall's rallies across the globe in placed such as Brazil, Switzerland have already allowed Engle and other New Apostolic Reformation speakers to promote their flavor of Christianity to international audiences as well.

Just as Religious Right activists are on the move, so too are Religious Right ideas. Right-wing ideas, sadly, have legs. Consider how the following examples of international Religious Right rhetoric resemble that of American groups.

-- The Australian Family Association, an opponent of LGBTQ rights in Australia, argues that a family of father, mother, and children forms "the primary nucleus on which all other elements in human society rest," its website says, arguing that society "should recognise the different biological and psychological functions of the mother and father." The group claims that anti-discrimination legislation that would make sexual orientation and gender identity "protected attributes" would allegedly "violate the freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief for those who have sincerely and deeply held beliefs or values about sexual identity and expression." Like its American counterparts, the Australian Family Association claims that legalizing same-sex marriage would somehow disadvantage children.

"While two men might each be good fathers, or two women good mothers, neither couples can be both a mother and a father of their child. Children need not only the love of their own biological mum and dad, but to define their identity through that intimate, unique biological relationship. No same sex couple can define a child’s identity. Inevitably, research will be cited claiming that there is no evidence that children of same sex couples are disadvantaged when compared to children in heterosexual marriages."

-- The Australian Christian Lobby seeks "to see Christian principles and ethics accepted and influencing the way we are governed, do business and relate to each other as a community." It opposes abortion and same-sex marriage and claims to defend religious freedom. For example, in a February 2013 press release, the group warned that religious freedom could allegedly suffer after legislation "redefining marriage" passed in the UK's House of Commons.

-- L'Institute Civitas, a right-wing Catholic organization in France, urges supporters to restore une France chrétienne, a "Christian France". In a December 2012 blog post entitled "Cet antichristianisme qui se développe en France" ("This Anti-Christianity that Grows in France"), Civitas president Alain Escada accused opponents of anti-Christian hatred. Escada accused protesters at a Symposium for Life event in Biarritz of espousing "visceral" anti-Christian sentiments, claiming that they desired to undermine morality and the family. "Pour les fondamentalistes de la laïcité, l'ennemi c'est le christianisme." -- "For fundamentalist secularism, the enemy is Christianity", he wrote. In another blog post, Escada belittled same-sex marriage with language similar to that of American anti-gay activists. Escada claimed that if France legalizes same-sex marriage, France's future would be jeopardized and children would suffer. Only a man and a woman can bring about the birth of a child, he argued, urging readers to take up activism against same-sex marriage.

-- South Africa's Family Policy Institute claims that "marriage and the family is the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society", promoting "the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society." In a January 15th, 2012 sermon at His People Christian Church in Cape Town, South Africa, Family Policy Institute founder Errol Naidoo insisted that South Africa must have a a Christian foundation. At the 11:30 mark, he had this to say.

"The church teaches mankind the law of God. Its role is to uphold God's word and bring all institutions of earthly government under Christ's sovereign rule ... The church is the pillar of a nation and it's also the ground. It lays the foundation of truth on which these godly institutions can stand, like family and marriage and civil government. You need a strong foundation of God's law for any nation to have a strong and firm foundation. If they don't have a strong and firm foundation of God's truth and God's word, that nation is in trouble. That nation begins to weaken. That nation begins to break down."

These are only a handful of examples of Christian Right voices across the globe. Granted, Religious Right groups are more prominent in some countries and less powerful in others, but all deserve our attention. If we value reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, and religious diversity, we ignore the international presence of the Religious Right at our peril. Just as the American Religious Right stays abreast of global developments, so too must we stay informed about progressive struggles abroad. Just as the American Religious Right connects with and supports its international counterparts, so too must we support reproductive rights, LGBTQ, and religious freedom efforts abroad. The Religious Right does not limit its scope to the U.S., and neither should we.

The Religious Right Around the Globe: South Africa's Errol Naidoo

A recent article in Pink News focused on a South African Religious Right figure named Errol Naidoo, former pastor of His People Church in Tokai and the head of a right-wing think tank called Family Policy Institute. In an August 22nd essay at the FPI website, Naidoo ranted against abortion, LGBTQs, and "radical feminist activists," whom he blamed for a "culture of death" in South Africa. He hinted that this so-called culture of death was at the root of "callousness" toward human life in the "national psyche" that gave rise to the Marikana tragedy. Naidoo's bombastic column reminds us that American Religious Right voices are not the only ones who blame catastrophes on groups they dislike (see here, here, and here).

I did a little research on Naidoo and FPI, and I found that not only do his positions bear a remarkable resemblance to those of his American counterparts, but that he also networks with global Religious Right leaders.

First, Naidoo uses rhetoric that bears a remarkable resemblance to American Religious Right language. According to its website, FPI "promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society." It claims to represent the allegedly shared valies of South African Christians in government and media. Like its Religious Right counterparts in the U.S., FPI sees heterosexual marriage and the family as the "foundation of civilization" and the cornerstone of moral virtue. Its rhetoric about "upholding marriage" between a man and a woman, defending the "sanctity of human life", safeguarding "religious liberty," and battling "judicial activism" sound very similar to the rhetoric of the American Religious Right.

FPI makes no attempt to hide its homophobia. In the "Issues" section of its website, FPI condemns homosexuality as a sin and a "depraved agenda." It quotes Ephesians 6:12 -- “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers ..." -- arguing that homosexuality is a spiritual pathology. Despite FPI's insistence that Christians must "love the homosexual but hate the sin," Pink News quotes Naidoo as telling a Nigeria newspaper, "I hate gays. It runs against God’s wishes." To boot, Naidoo and FPI have a history of anti-LGBTQ activism. Mamba Online reports that in 2010, Naidoo initiated a campaign against Cape Town's support of gay tourism.

Naidoo is also a staunch anti-abortion activist. The FPI website laments the "abortion holocaust," condemning South Africa's Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act. FPI bluntly denies that women have a choice whether or not to terminate pregnancies.

"Before a life is conceived in a woman’s womb she has a choice – whether to have a baby or not. But once the baby is conceived, she no longer has a choice – she has a baby."

His disdain for women's self-determination was apparent in a Joy Magazine commentary entitled "Shattering the Mould: The Misconceptions of Women's Liberation." Naidoo's column calls the women's movement a "failed social experiment", claiming that it has done nothing to decrease women's sexual exploitation. (One wonders if Naidoo actually bothered to research the many feminist activists and organizations combating prostitution and sex trafficking.) The column conflates 1960s feminism and the sexual revolution, blaming them for everything from family disintegration to unwed mothers on welfare to rising STD rates. Sound familiar?

Like other right-wing voices on the African continent, FPI attributes at least some "immorality" to foreign influences. In a 2011 essay entitled "Stop the Flood of Filth from Foreign Sewers!", Errol Naidoo lambasted "foreign based immorality" such as a Beechies ad campaign, which he condemned as celebrating drinking and casual sex. He also condemned other foreign products such  Playboy and GQ magazines.

Naidoo still speaks at his old church, His People Church in Tokai, where he promotes messages about godly government. In a January 15th talk* on governance, Naidoo told listeners that they must respect the government and obey laws that do not conflict with God's laws. For instance, believers must pay taxes and respect traffic laws. However, Naidoo asserted that "when the authorities tell you to sin against God, you can disobey."

Naidoo celebrated the Christian church as the pillar of truth in society, claiming that the church is responsible for bringing governments under Christ's authority. At the 11:30 mark, he claimed that nations lacking a Christian foundation are doomed to weaken.

"The church teaches mankind the law of God. Its role is to uphold God's word and bring all institutions of earthly government under Christ's sovereign rule ... The church is the pillar of a nation and it's also the ground. It lays the foundation of truth on which these godly institutions can stand, like family and marriage and civil government. You need a strong foundation of God's law for any nation to have a strong and firm foundation. If they don't have a strong and firm foundation of God's truth and God's word, that nation is in trouble. That nation begins to weaken. That nation begins to break down."

At the 16:20 mark, he rejected the idea that South Africa is a secular country, insisting that Christians strive toward godly government.

"Any thought, any policy, any idea, any suggestion in this nation that is not in line with God's word and his sovereign will for his nation--any one that speaks that, our responsibility is to pull it down, is to abolish it. Every lie that goes out there, the church of Jesus Christ is responsible because we are the trustees of the truth of God. So when somebody goes out there and says, 'Well, you know, we don't have to have laws that obey God's word. We're not a Christian country. We're a secular country, and we can decide what laws are right for us and what's not right for us. And we can say that when women get pregnant or young girls get pregnant, they can kill the baby whenever they want to. They can just walk into a clinic and the taxpayer must pay for that abortion, that's our law, and that works for us.' You see, That's a lie from the devil, and that lie and that idea is there to destroy humanity ... There's only two kinds of government. It's either of God or it's of the devil."

As I've noted before, Religious Right groups around the globe do network, and Naidoo is no exception. In a 2007 interview with Joy Magazine, Naidoo says that he was inspired to create FPI while attending the 2006 Values Voters Summit. The Values Voters Summit is an annual conference in Washington D.C. hosted by Family Research Council. Naidoo claims that God spoke to him about creating a South African organization that would give the Christian community there a voice in the public square.

Naidoo's global networking did not end with the Values Voters Summit. In a June 7th commentary, Naidoo describes his visit to the Sixth World Congress of Families, a conference that draws prominent Religious Right figures from around the globe (see here and here). Naidoo writes of his conversations with Sharon Slater of Family Watch International and Benjamin Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund. He even states that he spoke with Bull about the possibility of creating a South African chapter of Alliance Defense Fund.

Naidoo's homophobia, anti-abortion stance, and theocratic rhetoric are not only troubling for South Africans, but all too familiar for Americans. Errol Naidoo and the Family Policy Institute promote many of the same messages endorsed by the American Religious Right. And, they network with their American cousins, thereby helping Religious Right ideas circulate to global audiences. Religious Right watchdogs, take note.

For additional commentary, visit the following links.

Sour Grapes: So Who Is Erroll Naidoo?

Synapses: Errol Naidoo: High priest of hysteria

O-blog-dee-o-blog-da: South African pastor blames mine massacre on gays



* To download Naidoo's sermon on governance, click here.