More denominations appear in Moldova

From the beginning of this year the Ministry of Justice has registered 11 new denominations, nearly four times more than over the entire last year. Other 4 religious non-profit organizations were registered, as well. PhD Ion Gumenai, professor at the State University's History and Philosophy Department, says that as a rule religious denominations increase in number in periods of crisis. “When there is stability in society, the spiritual life is rather calm”, the professor told Info-Prim Neo. Ion Gumenai says that some of these denominations have centuries-old traditions and at first sight seem unoffensive. Legally speaking they pose no threat either, as their statutes do not have anti-constitutional or anti-human provisions. “But in essence these denominations lead to division within society, and the division of society is a threat per se”. “When people are poor, they are vulnerable to enticement and promises. In my opinion, any religious sect is a source for conflict, because there are certain conflicts of interest”, said Gumenai. The professor says that nine in ten followers of these churches cannot explain the fundamentals of the belief they share. Another reason for the rising number of new religious groups is the feeble spiritual power of many clerics of the Moldovan traditional church, thinks the professor. The latest national census in 2004 showed that roughly 93% of Moldovans were Orthodox Christians.