Editorials
Monday, July 28, 1997CREDIT Boris Yeltsin with courage in defense of democracy for rejecting legislation that would restrict "nontraditional" religions. His decision provoked the wrath of the Orthodox Church, which would have been awarded a special status under the measure. Yeltsin’s defense
of religious freedomYeltsin called the legislation a threat to religious freedom and a violation of Russia's international obligations; he sent it back to parliament for redrafting. It could have affected evangelical Christianity and Roman Catholicism. Defending his decision in a radio address, the Russian president declared that "A democratic state cannot encroach upon the interests of minorities for whatever seemingly noble motives."
While the Orthodox church and most legislators back the bill, it has drawn strong opposition from Pope John Paul II and the United States, which threatened to cut aid to Russia if it became law. A spokesman for the Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Kirill, warned Yeltsin that his rejection of the measure threatened the fabric of Russian society.
Under the legislation, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and other "traditional" religions would be pledged "respect." All other religious groups would be required to register with the government to own property or conduct public worship, and could not do so until they had been operating in the country for 15 years.
Protection of the right to worship by members of unpopular religious sects is essential to true democracy. Russia's president has shown he understands that.
IN South Korea, wracked by a series of corruption scandals, the ruling party has nominated a man with a reputation for integrity as its candidate for president. He is Lee Hoi-chang, a former prime minister and chief justice of the Supreme Court. Lee's nomination could help to revive the New Korea Party, which has suffered from the political crippling of the current president, Kim Young-sam, by the scandals. Kim is limited by the constitution to a single five-year term. Korean president
TWO cases involving celebrities could be billed as evidence that it's tough to win in court against popular stars. Coincidentally, the juries reached their verdicts last Friday although on opposite coasts. Stars in the courtroom
Autumn Jackson, 22, broke down in tears when a New York jury convicted her of extortion. She was found guilty of threatening to tell supermarket tabloids that she was the out-of-wedlock child of comedian Bill Cosby unless he paid her $40 million. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, songwriter Harry Perzigian was stunned when a jury rejected his slander suit against Carroll O'Connor.
WITH all the hand-wringing about Hawaii's stagnant economy, the resurgence of the film industry here has contributed a much-needed bright spot. During the first six months of 1997 film production revenues were up nearly double last year and indicate this could be the second best year ever; the best was 1994. Isle film industry
Hawaii will never rival Hollywood, but this is an industry with real potential.
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
