[ExI] "Ten Regulations" of the Russian Orthodox Church

John Grigg possiblepaths2050 at gmail.com
Thu Mar 13 18:57:45 UTC 2008


*I thought that along with our discussion of the Roman Catholic "Seven
Deadly Social Sins," we could also evaluate the "Ten Regulations" that the
Russian Orthodox Church has issued for Russian business people.*
**
*I think Moses was on to something when he came down from the mountain with
the powerfully named "Ten Commandments."  The "Ten Regulations" sound more
like a "revelation" from the Department of Transportation! lol    *
**
*But I do view the "Ten Regulations" as being much more humane and necessary
(especially considering Russia's current state of affairs) than the "Seven
Deadly Social Sins."   *
**
*John Grigg*
**

*http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/90/364/120**04_church.html<http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/90/364/12004_church.html>
*
**
**
*The regulations explain how the rich and the poor must live *
Russian businessmen are offered to follow a code of moral principles and
regulations in their everyday life and
business<http://english.pravda.ru/news/business/>activity. The
principles resembling the Ten Biblical Commandments were
declared at the Global All-Russian Orthodox Council (Sobor) summoned upon
blessing of Patriarchy Alexiy II on February 4.

Authors of the code of moral principles say that the document was developed
with participation of representatives from the Russian Union of Businessmen
and Industrialists, the Business Russia and OPORa organizations. Gazeta
learnt that main objective of the code is "to maximally introduce business
into the public sphere; nobody will judge businessmen according to the laws
of the country but businessmen themselves will judge their own conscience."
Thus, one of the precepts warns businessmen that wealth is not an end in
itself: it must serve for creation of good life of a man and the nation.

As for taxes, the authors of the code explain that tax evasion is "stealing
from orphans, the aged, disabled and other unprotected categories of
people." The document says that payment of taxes for needs of the society
must no longer be a burden or a forced duty; this must be honorary doing
deserving gratitude of the society.
The regulations also explain how the poor should live: "Poor people must
behave with dignity, aim at efficient labor and improve their professional
skills to overcome poverty."

The Charter was developed for about a year. Originally, the document was
developed by a commission headed by President of the National Economy
Academy Vladimir Mau and consisting of Deputy Chairman of the Federal
Commission for the Securities Market Yelena Katayeva, Duma deputy Sergey
Glazyev and public relations department of the Moscow Patriarchy. In January
2004, businessmen also joined the commission to develop the document. No
names of the businessmen were reported.

Metropolitan Kirill told Gazeta that it was not registered who exactly
introduced different amendments to the document. The metropolitan says that
all largest associations of Russian industrialists took part in development
of the document. It is said that even writers and philologists took part in
discussion of the Charter.

The church will publicly condemn those who ignore the regulations. However,
it is not clear whether atheists and people of other religions must follow
the precepts as well. What is more, even though the Council (Sobor) was
blessed by the patriarchy, it is not the church, and we cannot say that the
Russian Orthodox Church introduces regulations for businessmen to follow.
Meanwhile, some of the Charter authors want to develop ten precepts for
governmental officials as well. *

**Here are the ten regulations that the All-Russian Orthodox Council has
developed for Russian businessmen.
  *
1. Remember the spiritual meaning of life while earning the daily bread.
Take care of the welfare of other people, the nation and the country when
seeking personal welfare.
2. Wealth is not end in itself. It must serve for creation of good life of
any individual and the nation.
3. The culture of business relations and adherence to promises help people
become better and improve economy.
4. A human being is not a continuously working mechanism: he needs time for
relaxation, spiritual life and creative progress.
5. The government, society and business must join their efforts to take care
of good life of workers and especially of those who cannot earn their
living. Management is a responsible activity.
6. Work should not kill and cripple people.
7. The political authority and the economic authority must be separated.
Interference of business into politics, its effect upon the public opinion
must be transparent only. Corrupt people and other criminals cannot be
allowed to economy.
8. A man violates the moral law, causes damage to the society and to himself
when he misappropriates other people's property, disregards the common
property, does not pay to his employees or deceives partners.
9. Lies and insulting, exploitation of vices and instincts are inadmissible
in competitive activity.
10. Businessmen must respect the institution of property, the right for
ownership and for management of property. It is immoral to envy other
people's well-being and encroach upon other people's property.
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