Sat, Nov 21 2009

More than 100 religious denominations registered in Bulgaria

Sat, Sep 26 2009 17:29 CET byPetar Kostadinov 705 Views 4 Comments
More than 100 religious denominations registered in Bulgaria

Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer

The process of legal registration of religious denominations in Bulgaria was less difficult than that for registering a political party, which was why there were 101 religious denominations registered in Bulgaria. 
 
This was said by Bozhidar Dimitrov, minister without portfolio responsible for Bulgarians abroad, in Parliament during question time on September 25 2009.
 
According to Dimitrov, current legislation made it very easy for two or three people to register a religious denomination at Sofia City Court as long as they have a well-prepared statute, Bulgarian news agency BTA quoted Dimitrov as saying.
 
This was why there were 101 religious denominations in Bulgaria today, while historically there were no more than four.
 
Dimitrov was asked by Tsveta Georgieva, an MP for ultra-nationalist party Ataka, why the Religious Denominations Directorate, which is part of the Cabinet office, did not have a list online of all religious denominations registered in Bulgaria.
 
Dimtirov said that buying the Sofia City Court data on the number of religious denominations would cost up to 300 leva and it would soon be published online.
 
According to Georgieva, the law should be amended so that the registration process could be stricter as currently among the 101 registered religious denominations there were Satanic sects, which posed a threat to Bulgarians’ mental and physical health.
 
Ataka was ready to start work on such a change, she said. 

 

Comments

Anonymous Herx Wed, Sep 30 2009 17:13 CET
Inappropriate comment?

There is no need for registration of religious groups by the govt (I am assuming they do not receive govt money).

It is outrageous to suggest that the government even have the power to recognize a religious group, much less register it. Keep religion and the state completely separate.

Anonymous Sara Mon, Sep 28 2009 19:27 CET
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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." ~Voltaire

"We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." ~John F. Kennedy

Anonymous Charlie Mon, Sep 28 2009 08:07 CET
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I'm no supporter of ATAKA, but there are many "religious" cults in the world today that are considered dangerous and there should be some control.

Anonymous Jon Mills Sun, Sep 27 2009 19:34 CET
Inappropriate comment?

I love Ataka! You could not make it up - what is next - they all have to wear some form of emblem to so we know what they believe in. I have an idea, what about a yellow star of david for jews, and a pink triangled for Gays (oops, sorry that has been used before). Ataka are so entertaining - especially Siderov when he gets really wound up.

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