Russia makes it illegal to insult the “feelings of religious believers”

And new legislative revisions aim to protect the views of atheists and adherents of "non-traditional" religion

"It may also dovetail with rising Russian homophobia and legal persecution of the LGBTQ community, a frightening development.

Personally, I appreciate and enjoy the radically liberal American approach to free speech, including the right to blaspheme—which is of course not to say that to do so is always wise or tasteful. But, as retired history professor Anthony Edmonds of Ball State University used to quip in the classroom, a historian’s favorite hand is “the other hand.” For better or for worse, I am professionally trained as a historian. Thus, despite my respect for American-style free speech, I recognize that some states have crafted social contracts that accept greater limitations on speech than we do in the US, in order to protect other democratic values."

http://www.salon.com/2013/07/20/in_russia_its_illegal_to_insult_the_feelings_of_religious_believers%E2%80%9D_partner/

Russia - "the first to stand against human rights violations." Edward Snowden