Volgograd

The recent events in Volgograd have been heartbreaking for all concerned. For any man or woman to voluntarily take their own life in the name of a belief or cause is difficult for me to comprehend. The suicide bomber has now become the weapon of choice for many extremist organisations. As we prepare to remember the Great War in which human life was afforded little or no value, it looks as though that trend has survived.

When countries such as Russia and Qatar secure large International sporting competitions, it is a boon for their Governments but not always welcomed by their people. The fact is that most counties have sections of their populations who remain disenfranchised. The fall of communism in Russia was always going to result in a prolonged period of disintegration and the events in Volgograd appear to bear this out. Without knowing the full facts yet, the current thinking suggests the involvement of Islamic groups from the former Russian states who are fed up with being under the watchful eye of Moscow. President Putin seems intent on maintaining his vice like grip on the Russian states.

Volgograd was formerly known as Stalingrad. Stalin took power control to new levels and even now, his influence is still felt by many. Even dead dictators leave legacies. Putin appears to be seeking a similar grip on power but the people seem to have had enough. It was Voltaire who wrote that if you want to know who is in power, seek out the person or organisation who you are precluded from criticising. The group PUSSY Riot did so and paid the price. As did Mikhael Kordokovsky. Putin appears to have adopted the strategy of Don Corleone. He keeps his friends close but his enemies closer. Stalin was not dissimilar.

Winter sports of course are great fun and enormously popular so made a prime target for the extremists. I'm sure the Winter Olympics will proceed as planned but it is clear that they will not enjoy the blessing of all the Russian people. The same was probably true when the Summer Olympics recently came to London but opposition to them was rather less extreme. For a man or woman to take their own life is very hard to understand. For them to knowingly take the lives of innocent civilians in the process is despicable. It is both a reflection of the perpetrator and those who would sponsor and promote their actions. In truth, such actions are the continuation of the 9/11 atrocities and serve nobody.

Once more, faith appears to be grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Just as the UK witnessed the sad case of a Methodist Minister bringing his faith in to disrepute as the head of the Cooperative bank this year, the events in Volgograd provide yet more fuel for people like Richard Dawkins. That is a big regret because Dawkins and people like him are only interested in a Godless society governed by the avarice and greed of consumerism. Faith has enormous benefits and we must seek to co-exist more happily. I respect all faiths and those with no faith. Why do others find this so difficult? I pray for those affected in Volgograd and hope that tolerance and understanding can emerge through dialogue.