What Czar Vladimir Putin's "Conversion" Most Likely Means
With Putin leaving the G-20 meeting early this weekend, after being subjected to criticism over his aggression towards Ukraine, it's a good time to take a look at this modern Czar's claim to be a devoted Orthodox Christian.
Apparently there are some people who believe that Vladimir Putin experienced some sort of "conversion" of heart in his ascent to power. He's supposedly now a devoted Christian who rejects the degenerate West in favor of an "Orthodox" Russia, where true Christian "values" trump the culture of death so brilliantly described by the late pope (and recently canonized saint) John Paul II. Indeed, I just read a brief commentary by - of all people - a Catholic priest, who opined that Putin has indeed experienced a conversion from atheistic Communism to acceptance of Christianity. This individual believes that Putin's words and actions demonstrate a devotion to Christian principles. And so the modern Russian Czar Vladimir Putin represents a "Holy Russia" opposing the degraded - and now formerly Christian culture - of the West.
We could characterize this "vision" of a Putin doing God's work as either the longing of a real man of God for the now-defunct Christian culture of the West, or simply the deluded ravings of a simpleton duped by the propaganda machine of Russia's government-dominated media. Either way, there's a more reasonable way to see and understand this Vladimir Putin: as a politician. And as such, we can use our reason and common sense first and foremost and arrive at the following view of Czar Putin.
As with any politician, it's not unreasonable to assume that Putin's goal in life is to aggrandize himself by appearing strong and by espousing Christianity. A man of his demonstrated political acumen would know that in this day and time, the Russian people desire a strong man to lead them out of the economic disaster of the post-Soviet years. He would also know that the mantel of Christianity might buy him sympathy with not only his own people, but with those around the world who rightly see Western culture as degraded.
We could also go a step further and reasonably conclude that the intent of this posturing has been and will continue to be more power for Putin himself. The fact that he leads a large country with a history of empire means that his way to build his own power revolves around re-building the power of the state, of which he is head and will remain head for the next 20 years or so - maybe even longer.
Is there any reason to think otherwise? Don't most politicians spend their every waking moment concocting ways to build and retain power? Sure, you may find the exception from time to time, but on balance, what has your experience been with politicians? Doesn't the politician's typical path lead him or her from petty politician to - in the case of Putin - Czar?
Look at our own country. How many lifelong politicians do you know? We have plenty here in New York. And Washington is filled with them. Do you think politics is their life because they're intellectually stimulated by the complexities of politics? Do you believe that such individuals desire most of all to "serve the public interest," and that this motivates them to work their way up the political totem pole, striving to sit at the top just so they can do the most good for the most people?
Circling back to Putin, we see a man who clawed his way to the top of the KGB totem pole, only to have it chopped down when the Soviet system - a system built on the foundation laid by Lenin and, most of all, Stalin - collapsed. Having experienced such a fall, his determination has been to make that fall a mere interlude, an unfortunate interruption in his determined ascendancy to the ultimate prize: what used to be called "Czar" in Russia, now given the more "modern" title of "President."
In short, reason and common sense dictate that we see Putin, and most politicians, for what they are. They are people motivated by the drive for power that characterizes most of the rulers of this world who reap the rewards that power provides. Such rewards - especially when you get to the top - include the thrill of imposing your will on and ever-widening circle of people, wealth (sometimes fabulous wealth), sexual conquests, etc. Along the way, some others may benefit. Certainly the "inner circle" that always accompanies the powerful directly benefit. And sometimes certain segments of society obtain special privileges, money, entitlements, etc. But all are subsumed under the drive for ever-more power by the Czar, Hetman, President, or whatever title the strong man takes.
It's simply the way of the world. Our Founding Fathers understood this and attempted to create a system of government that would spread the power inherent in government such that no one man or group of men could satisfy their desire for absolute power. Whether they succeeded of not, and whether that system remains intact we can discuss another time. For now, just remember that very few places in this world have attempted to address this drive for personal power as diligently and reasonable as we have in the United States. (Their attempt was glorious, making its possible failure all the more heart-breaking.)
As for Putin's Christian beliefs, he may continue to espouse such beliefs. For all we know, he may have undergone a conversion of heart - or convinced himself he has - which caused him to reject degraded Western culture, leading him to promote the building of Christian culture in Russia. If so, some good may come from the reign of Czar Putin. But even if we were to concede this, that doesn't change the fact that we can reasonably conclude that Putin's top priority is Putin, just as the top priority of most politicians will always remain seeking, building, and retaining ever more power for themselves.
Apparently there are some people who believe that Vladimir Putin experienced some sort of "conversion" of heart in his ascent to power. He's supposedly now a devoted Christian who rejects the degenerate West in favor of an "Orthodox" Russia, where true Christian "values" trump the culture of death so brilliantly described by the late pope (and recently canonized saint) John Paul II. Indeed, I just read a brief commentary by - of all people - a Catholic priest, who opined that Putin has indeed experienced a conversion from atheistic Communism to acceptance of Christianity. This individual believes that Putin's words and actions demonstrate a devotion to Christian principles. And so the modern Russian Czar Vladimir Putin represents a "Holy Russia" opposing the degraded - and now formerly Christian culture - of the West.
We could characterize this "vision" of a Putin doing God's work as either the longing of a real man of God for the now-defunct Christian culture of the West, or simply the deluded ravings of a simpleton duped by the propaganda machine of Russia's government-dominated media. Either way, there's a more reasonable way to see and understand this Vladimir Putin: as a politician. And as such, we can use our reason and common sense first and foremost and arrive at the following view of Czar Putin.
As with any politician, it's not unreasonable to assume that Putin's goal in life is to aggrandize himself by appearing strong and by espousing Christianity. A man of his demonstrated political acumen would know that in this day and time, the Russian people desire a strong man to lead them out of the economic disaster of the post-Soviet years. He would also know that the mantel of Christianity might buy him sympathy with not only his own people, but with those around the world who rightly see Western culture as degraded.
We could also go a step further and reasonably conclude that the intent of this posturing has been and will continue to be more power for Putin himself. The fact that he leads a large country with a history of empire means that his way to build his own power revolves around re-building the power of the state, of which he is head and will remain head for the next 20 years or so - maybe even longer.
Is there any reason to think otherwise? Don't most politicians spend their every waking moment concocting ways to build and retain power? Sure, you may find the exception from time to time, but on balance, what has your experience been with politicians? Doesn't the politician's typical path lead him or her from petty politician to - in the case of Putin - Czar?
Look at our own country. How many lifelong politicians do you know? We have plenty here in New York. And Washington is filled with them. Do you think politics is their life because they're intellectually stimulated by the complexities of politics? Do you believe that such individuals desire most of all to "serve the public interest," and that this motivates them to work their way up the political totem pole, striving to sit at the top just so they can do the most good for the most people?
Circling back to Putin, we see a man who clawed his way to the top of the KGB totem pole, only to have it chopped down when the Soviet system - a system built on the foundation laid by Lenin and, most of all, Stalin - collapsed. Having experienced such a fall, his determination has been to make that fall a mere interlude, an unfortunate interruption in his determined ascendancy to the ultimate prize: what used to be called "Czar" in Russia, now given the more "modern" title of "President."
In short, reason and common sense dictate that we see Putin, and most politicians, for what they are. They are people motivated by the drive for power that characterizes most of the rulers of this world who reap the rewards that power provides. Such rewards - especially when you get to the top - include the thrill of imposing your will on and ever-widening circle of people, wealth (sometimes fabulous wealth), sexual conquests, etc. Along the way, some others may benefit. Certainly the "inner circle" that always accompanies the powerful directly benefit. And sometimes certain segments of society obtain special privileges, money, entitlements, etc. But all are subsumed under the drive for ever-more power by the Czar, Hetman, President, or whatever title the strong man takes.
It's simply the way of the world. Our Founding Fathers understood this and attempted to create a system of government that would spread the power inherent in government such that no one man or group of men could satisfy their desire for absolute power. Whether they succeeded of not, and whether that system remains intact we can discuss another time. For now, just remember that very few places in this world have attempted to address this drive for personal power as diligently and reasonable as we have in the United States. (Their attempt was glorious, making its possible failure all the more heart-breaking.)
As for Putin's Christian beliefs, he may continue to espouse such beliefs. For all we know, he may have undergone a conversion of heart - or convinced himself he has - which caused him to reject degraded Western culture, leading him to promote the building of Christian culture in Russia. If so, some good may come from the reign of Czar Putin. But even if we were to concede this, that doesn't change the fact that we can reasonably conclude that Putin's top priority is Putin, just as the top priority of most politicians will always remain seeking, building, and retaining ever more power for themselves.
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