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Do you support the actions of Father Basili?

Tuesday, July 29
“No! His activities were not normal. I think he is a bit crazy.”
Tatia, student, 23

“Well, I’ve never supported his actions, but it’s obvious he is a Christian and always tried to defend our religion. But I think his activities were not socially acceptable.”
Maia, housewife, 44

“No, I don’t support them. The Patriarchy expelled him, which means his activities were not Christian.”
Beka, basketball player, 21

“I think he is just crazy. I believe in our church and our Patriarch, not these crazy violent people that follow Basili.”
Nino, housewife, 39

“No, I don’t support him. He was doing violent things to innocent people—though I do think sects like the Jehovah’s Witnesses should leave Georgia. This is an Orthodox country.”
Nika, student, 21

“I think some things he was doing were really good for our country: he built churches, and tried to destroy the Jehovah’s Witnesses who were paying people to join their church. I support him, but he was a little bit too radical for me, as a female.”
Eka, nurse, 46

“I saw him on TV beating Jehovah’s Witnesses with a cross. I don’t think that a man who calls himself a Christian should do such things.”
Karina, phone operator, 52

“Generally speaking, I support banning religious sects in Georgia. We’re a country with a great Orthodox history, and we shouldn’t allow sects in our country. But a priest shouldn’t be involved in acts of violence.”
Guliko, teacher, 60

“There are not many patriots left in Georgia under this regime. Father Basili is one of them.”
Koba, unemployed, 29