It was a situation not without comic possibilities. While World Vision's Christian Resource Center was holding a conference in Moscow in early July on the theme of "Moral Values in a Changing Society," the Russian parliament was busy trying to make such activity illegal. On July 14 it amended the Religious Freedom Act of 1990 to forbid "foreign religious organizations" from "engaging in religious/missionary, publishing or advertising/propaganda activity." It also cancelled article 10 of the 1990 act, which states: "All religions and religious organizations shall be equal before the laws of the state."

Interpretations of the parliament's action vary. Yeltsin neither requested the legislation nor has he signed it. His energies have been spent on getting a new constitution and a new parliament based on free elections. Few Russians believe a new parliament would sustain this illiberal legislation.

Few also would deny that foreign religious organizations have never acted in ways that alienate or offend Russians. But for that problem, this is not the right response. As Orthodox priest Gleb Yakunin has stated, "This attempt to restore the Iron Curtain in religious life could be followed by similar attempts in civic life."

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