As always I look forward to receiving the East-West Church and Ministry Reports. They are a wonderful resource for researchers and those doing missions in Eastern Europe. For the spring 2015 issue, I have a strong concern. While I firmly believe that alternative points-of-view should be provided when possible (and it’s part of our scholarly responsibility to do so), the facts regarding Russia’s occupation [of Ukrainian territory] are well established. Having someone hide behind a pseudonym [“Sergey Osokin,” “A Russian Christian Perspective on the Ukrainian Crisis,” 1-5], while continuing to state propaganda that has been widely debunked, does not meet the scholarly standard I have come to expect from this publication. The column that was published lacks appropriate sourcing, facts, and data. I’m disappointed. I understand the desire to present both sides of view on the Russian occupation of Ukraine, but I think it does not serve anyone well to have an anonymous person post the “Russian” view. There is no concern for religious persecution here for a person who is backing what Putin is doing in Ukraine.
Stephen Benham, PhD., President, Music in World Cultures, Laurence, PA