Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Guest · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2003 4:29 pm Post subject: Corruption and Church

I have been traveling to Russia since the doors opened for tourism. There has been many wonderful changes there since my first trip in 1992. Then there has been some bad ones. When Russia opened those doors travelers' from all over the world were able to gaze at the beauty Russia had locked away for so many years. For me, it was like discovering long lost friends when I was first able to meet the Russian people. I discovered that in a lot of ways they were just like us, with the same wants, and same desires out of life. The Russian people were nothing like what was told to us Americans' during the cold war era. Now, with those doors open, and privatization, the tourism industry flourishes, providing jobs, as well as other new businesses that are benifiting from Glasnost and Peristroika. But we all know for every action there is a reaction. So, with all the good things happening, some bad must come.
Opening those doors to the good things also opened Pandora's Box. People from every continent, every country began to visit Russia, and the money started to flow, but with no balance. Most all doctors in Russia today make less than $200 a month, registered nurses less than $40 a month, school teachers less than $50 a month, and so on. Then there is the minister of a new church that makes in the $1000's, drives a BMW, lives in a western style flat worth around $200,000, takes vacation's to China, Isreil, Turkey, Europe, and America. Something just doesn't seem right does it? He has made his money from the misery of his own people, and it hurts my heart to see it. One good thing that has come from him is that he has provided some jobs to some good people. I have been a person on the inside and know how he has aquired his money, status, and it is not how you would expect a clergyman to do it.
More later...................