Tom Hanks to Promote Christianity in Russia

Tom Hanks is to appear on posters promoting Orthodox Christianity in Russia and neighboring states alongside prominent local cultural and sports figures.

The Russian Orthodox youth movement Soboryane said it is launching a massive poster campaign during a missionary event entitled “My Pravoslavnye” (“We Are Orthodox Christians”) on October 13 and 14 in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Posters depicting high-profile personalities, including Hanks, and featuring quotes from them in support of Christianity have already been circulating on Russian social networking websites and in the local media.

Among local celebrities featured on posters are director Nikita Mikhalkov, actors Dmitry Dyuzhev and Yegor Beroyev, rock musicians Konstantin Kinchev and Yuri Shevchuk, actor and musician Pyotr Mamonov, singer Sofia Rotaru and boxer Nikolai Valuyev, as well as Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Yuri Gagarin.

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004047180339 John Adams

Orthodox "christianity" is not Biblical Christianity.
- daves
  
  The word orthodox, from Greek orthos ("right", "true", "straight") + doxa ("opinion" or "belief", related to dokein, "to think"),[1] is generally used to mean the adherence to accepted norms, more specifically to creeds, especially in religion.[2] In the narrow sense the term means "conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early Church".[1]
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004047180339 John Adams
    
    The Greek Orthodox church, Russian Orthodox church, etc. are NOT Biblical faiths. They are only nationalize roman catholic churches. They may not be as corrupt in their administration but their doctrine IS corrupt.
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      John, it is fortunate for the citizens of this great country that you have no input into what constitutes sound public policy.
- dionesius3
  
  And what oh wise and learned one does constitute "Biblical Christianity" and where exactly does it differ from "Orthodox Christianity"???
  Are you so obtuse that you are confusing the Orthodox Faith with orthodox Christianity?
  If so please go back and study your Sunday School Literature a little more closely.
  It appears as if your intellect is as sound as your pretended scholarship.
  - tenndoug911
    
    No matter how you cloak your words in eloquence, insults instantly lose your argument in my estimation.
    - Roger
      
      Exactly! Thank you very much. If you don't like the message, shoot the messenger. Whether or not John Adams is correct is not as important as how you respond to what he said. Anyone who has to resort to insults, mockery, slander, name-calling, etc., is only exposing the fact that they have nothing of any positive value to add to the discussion. Furthermore, they are showing their own lack of self-control. My advice to those who fall into this category–"Get a grip!"
      Sometime ago I wrote a short piece about this and posted it on my blog. You can see it here. http://poorrogersalmanac.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/losing-debates-ungracefully/
  - philote
    
    @dionesius3
    
    Study your Bible and you will have the answers you seek. And you will see that the Sunday School Literature is often, and especially in the Roman and Orthodox "christian" churches, very far from the Bible and makes one ignorant of the Gospel that the Bible teaches.
    - dionesius3
      
      I am not seeking any answers. I made a comment about the moron above who confuses Othodox Christianity and the Orthodox faith. He uses the two as if they are synonyms. And you are equally as obtuse.
- Preobrazensky
  
  The Eastern Church is just as Christian as the historic Church of the west! Protestantism cannot go back any farther than 1517! Just what Christian church do you think was in existence before that year? The Catholic and Orthodox churches can trace their existence to the time of Christ and were united until the Great Schism of 1054. Incidentally, if it were not for the monks of the Middle Ages going blind in their scriptorums, the Bible would not have survived the so-called dark age! They also preserved the Greek and Roman classics. Try to delve more deeply into history before you make absurd comments!
John J Flanagan

Tom Hanks may be promoting Christianity in Russia, but he sure is not much of a spokesman for the gospel here in America.
- fliteking
  
  Yes, the The Da Vinci Code was was a clear statement of how Hanks really feels about Christianity.
Washington22

Are they serious? Tom Hanks the flaming liberal is to support Christianity? I suppose it's possible, but I've gotta hear more…………….
- philote
  
  Like a RINO is republican in name only, so the orthodox church is "christian" in name only. He's supporting their religion (for a fee) but not Christianity – as evidenced by the fruit he regularly bears.
bigbadude

Tom thats an awesome thing you are doing please do that here in America also!
Dennis

How can Tom Hanks, of all people, be taken seriously in his promotion of christianity in any country, when he financially supports a liberal president, who is anti-christian? What a joke and insult to the Christian faith.
jimbo999

During the tenure of the Soviet Union in Russia, the only Christian Church that was allowed to function openly in that country was the Russian Orthodox Church. There were several reasons for this, the first being that they were forbidden to seek converts, so their congregations consisted of elderly people. The second and probably the most insidious was that they were considered "The Russian Christian Church". Their hierarchy was full of Russian spies so that when they were invited to gatherings in the West, they had free rein to do their nefarious deeds without question. They could also keep track of the congregants in their churches so that the government had control of whatever happened and could prevent any "anti-government" actions.
Small groups of Baptists and others would meet secretly in home churches and were the true Church. They were constantly attacked by the Russian Orthodox Church. I have several friends who lived through that time in Russia and her satellites, until they were able to escape to the West or later emigrate to the West after the Fall of the government.
John Munro

Tom Hanks hey could you help us out here in America too?
Alo112611

He votes for abortion. He votes for gay marriage, he votes for everything opposite of the Bible. Please take your acting back to Hollywood!
DockyWocky

Hanks ought to give a thought to promoting Christianity right in his home town.
- intheleupp
  
  Uh, how about in his life?
philote

Knowing that Hanks is not a believer in the Bible (promotes homosexuality as a "right", behind most of the rest of the liberal agenda including abortion and wealth redistribution, DaVinci code, has a spiritual philosophy that goes like this: When I go to church I meditate on the 'why?' of 'Why people are as they are' and 'Why bad things happen to good people,' and 'Why good things happen to bad people'… The mystery is, what I think it is, almost, the grand unifying theory of mankind.", etc. etc.) this might seem odd to many that he is promoting "orthodox christianity".

Until one understands that "orthodox chrisitianity" is the Greek/Russian Orthodox Church – which is the eastern remnant of the schism in the Catholic Church when they disagreed on who should be "pope". The orthodox "church" is not, as an organization, Christian to any degree – preaching another gospel, which is not actually another (since there's only one) and another Jesus (since they have to sacrifice theirs daily in the mass while the true Jesus died once for all, i.e. as many as would put their faith and trust in His atoning sacrifice).

It's just another piece of the propagandizing of religion as a replacement for a relationship with God. God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit; forgiveness of sins; inclusion into the family of God; eternal life – are not exciting enough to bring people to "church", so we need celebrities to get the people to come.

Pray that the eyes of the blind will be opened, and that they will seek Jesus not celebrities, before death overtakes them. Tom Hanks is talented – but doomed by his rejection of the One True God and the only way to be redeemed. Pray that Tom will put his faith in God and Jesus as the only way to God. THEN his fame will produce glory for God instead of only for himself.
RightofWayne

Why doesn't he try living it too? His past show of support for all things non-Christian would lead anyone who knows of him to conclude he is a fake Christian. Lots of those running around these days twisting the word of GOD into their very own feel-good message. Go away Tom Hanks, I do not need your form of Christianity. There is only one true message and obviously you do not knwo it because your works do not show it.
victorbarney

Again, I'm not saying that I disagree with the Church's decision, but I do know that what makes MARXISM SO APPEALING IS THAT IT PROMOTES LIES, LIES, LIES, AND THEN MORE LIES! Also, you must consider that when LIES are told in an authorative presentation, PEOPLE NATURUALLY WANT TO BELIEVE THEM! This is especially true with religious figures! In FACT, LYING IS ONE of the biggest reasons WHY social-paths are so successful, most especially the good-looking ones, in getting others, mostly WOMEN to do mostly whatever they(MOSTLY MEN) want TIME AND TIME AGAIN! Tragic but true, it certanly seems that WOMEN ARE A SOCIOPATH'S BEST FRIEND AND TO WOMEN'S OWN DESTRUCTION! It's in the News EVERY SINGLE DAY, OVER & OVER AGAIN! Again, it is what it is, afterall, REMEMBER: It still IS SATAN'S WORLD until our HEBREW-INSPIRED SAVIOR RETURNS!
http://www.facebook.com/sandy.kelley.796 Sandy Kelley

Tom Hanks is promoting himself. Have him go preach to our muslim president.
Roger

Tom Hanks may very well not be a Christian, I will make no judgment on that matter. That's not my business.

Actually, the Bible has something to say about this whole issue. John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. (Mark (9:38, 39)

Whether or not Hanks is a Christian is not the real issue here, what does matter is that the name of Jesus Christ is being promoted and spread. What does matter is that many, many people who have never had any knowledge of Jesus will have a spark of light ignited in their dark world. What does matter is that through this venture, the Holy Spirit, Who is well able to defend the name of Jesus, will begin to shine the light of truth wherever it is received. God (still) works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

The debate raging here really is nothing more than a rehash of the same old, same old. My religion is true and yours is not. Mine is better than yours. Mine is the only one which should be allowed. Mine, mine, mine! Etc, etc. Et al. Ad infinitum! Ad nauseum!!

This is not to say that Hank's version of Christianity is true or that every religion is equal. Far from it! Christianity which preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ and His rule over us is head and shoulders above anything else which has ever been devised by man. Let's be careful, however, not to fall into the trap of bickering, squabbling, and infighting about peripheral issues and lose sight of the BIG picture. God has this situation well under control and if He wants to use Tom Hanks to spread His Word, I am all for it.

One final thought. Keep in mind the words of Jesus Himself, straight out of the horse's mouth.
"…(N)o one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me." If I read this correctly, it will not be long before Tom Hanks is brought to his knees in one way or another and comes to an understanding of the real truth of Jesus Christ. At this point, he (Hanks) will no longer be able to promote a false gospel, but must speak the truth. Or maybe he will suffer a stroke and not be able to speak at all. Who can say? This is something to pray and hope for. Even so come, Lord Jesus!!
Sharr

Oh, remember, that was a movie???
Thanks, Tom. I know that God appreciates your kind words!!
Sharr

Larry Sinclair for first Lady??
What happened to Donald Young?
Who lied and four men died?
What happened to Bill Gwaltney?
And on and on and on.
cyndlou

The DaVinci Code was a movie – now, not knowing Mr Hanks personally any more than anyone else on this blog, but let's face it – Alec Baldwin played a preacher in Great Balls of Fire – Are you saying that he was portraying his own personal beliefs in his role? Hope not. No one on this post knows the personal beliefs of Tom Hanks – who knows, maybe he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ yesterday and you all are going to judge him? who are any of you to determine who should be the poster child of any form of Christianity – certainly not any self portraits that's for sure. I hope to God Tom is now a child of the King – wouldn't that be great?!!!!!!!
Kevin

If they preach that there is salvation in the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ then hurray for them. Concerning Tom hanks, if he's forwarding the cause of Jesus Christ then God Bless him for it.