Mikhail Gorbachev admits he is a Christian

[regnaD kciN]

Thought you might find this interesting:

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Communist leader of the Soviet Union, has acknowledged his Christian faith for the first time, paying a surprise visit to pray at the tomb of St Francis of Assisi.

Accompanied by his daughter Irina, Mr Gorbachev spent half an hour on his knees in silent prayer at the tomb.

His arrival in Assisi was described as "spiritual perestroika" by La Stampa, the Italian newspaper.

"St Francis is, for me, the alter Christus, the other Christ," said Mr Gorbachev. "His story fascinates me and has played a fundamental role in my life," he added.

More here.

[Book Lover]

1. Dueling newspaper stories

Gorbachev Dispels 'Closet Christian' Rumors; Says He is Atheist

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080324/31660_Gorbachev_Dispels_%5C'Closet_Christian%5C'_Rumors%3B_Says_He_is_Atheist.htm

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev made clear this past weekend that he is an atheist after European news agencies last week claimed that he had confirmed his Christian faith during a visit to the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.

<snip>

"Over the last few days some media have been disseminating fantasies – I can't use any other word – about my secret Catholicism, citing my visit to the Sacro Convento friary, where the remains of St. Francis of Assisi lie," Gorbachev said, according to an Interfax article posted Friday.

"To sum up and avoid any misunderstandings, let me say that I have been and remain an atheist,” he stated.

[Matilda]

2. If he was a Christian, he'd more likely be Orthodox, not Catholic.

Anyway, in the post-glasnost era he never disavowed his Communism, and Communism generally doesn't
go hand-in-hand with Christianity.

So the Christian Post article sounds like the one to believe.

[meow2u3]

3. He probably is an Eastern Rite Catholic

He had to be a closet Christian during the Commie era--he'd have been overthrown and sent to Siberia in a coup had he admitted to being a Catholic back then.....

[knitter4democracy]

4. He's admitted that his mother had him baptized as a baby.

He was baptized Orthodox and raised that way.