The real number of sectarians involved in various religious organizations in Armenia will come out within October 12-21 population census, according to Vardan Astsatryan, the head of Committee on National Minorities and Religious Affairs at the Government.
“This year, an experimental calculation of sects was carried out, and we will try to include this issue in the process of population census of 2011. We had a very hard work with Statistical Service and, it seems, our offer has been approved. Even now, we may gain this data,” Astsatryan told journalists Aug. 3, adding that no increase of religious organizations has been recorded recently, however they became more active in their treatment.
“We try not to use ‘sect’ term, since many religious organizations ignore it. I am inclined to name them religious units, activity of which is often illegal, i.e, it is actually, a soul hunting, constant menace to individual’s freedom, healthy atmosphere in society, morality and national security,” he said.
Answering the question, why respective authorities do not ban activity of these organizations, if the word ‘illegal’ is used when referring to them, Astsatryan said that, to his personal opinion, this sphere is not completely regulated by the law. Even in registration of religious organizations there are no strict definitions and standards. There is no control and expert commission which would be able to carry out respective conclusion.
The expert considered issue of active agitating activity of religious organizations expanded in the streets as problem requiring immediate solution. He offered to allocate special places for this purpose and to ban all-round agitation. Another problem is construction of sectarian churches in schools, kindergartens, public resorts neighborhood, according to Astsatryan.
