YAKOV KROTOV

Does evil need tradition?

I was asked: "Concerning the bit about Putin's church, this question: are neo-Stalinists confirming the view of some historians that among Russians the cults of Lenin and Stalin (and now evidently soon of Putin) simply continue a tradition of sovereign-worship under the Tzars? Is this related to letting the air out of the tires--i. e. glorifying a ruler who really doesn't deserve it in order to get on with some other problem he might otherwise worsen?"

I don't think that servilism needs any tradition. This vice -- as all vices, as paganism, as nationalism etc. -- appears every day and every minute without any reason exept human will. Western historians and journalists (alas, and Berdyaev also -- but he represented Westernized tradition) enjoy idea about deep roots of Russian totalitarianism. May be this make them feel in safety? No Tzars in United States -- no danger to democracy?

May be more truth is in those alarmist movies and novels which describe (fantastic) attempts of some politicians to become American Hitler? This danger of political downfall is always in the air in any country.

Tradition belongs to light, light consists of particles connected together. Darkness has no tradition, no chain of particles --sin is just breaking off the tradition of light. That is why I think it has sense to live in Russia creating the tradition of light, love and liberty.

P.S. Sorry for sermoning.

February 20, 2001, 23.00 PM, Moscow