jmbejdl
OC.Net Guru
I think this is probably the best place to put this, but please move it if it belongs somewhere else.
I just stumbled across this (slightly anti) article in the BBC news website about a rising star in Romanian politics. I know very little about the man except that he once offered to build a church if Steaua won some game. I wondered what others, particularly the Romanians here thought. Here's the article for those who are as clueless as I was:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6457237.stm
Now, I can't say that I particularly care for the picture of him as St. John (and it does smack a little of the sort of Latin influenced folk faith you sometimes find amongst less theologically aware Romanian villagers) but I am impressed that someone is willing to stand up for the Church, and that he's so clearly determined to bring his faith into not just Romanian but EU politics. If only we had more people willing to do that. Unfortunately, what would otherwise be enthusiasm for the man is somewhat tempered by my wariness of those who earnt great fortunes after the fall of Ceausescu's regime. With one notable exception, all those I know who grew rich at that time are less than honest.
Anyway, I'd be interested to see what others think, especially anyone who knows more about him, or has sources (in either English or Romanian) that I can read to get a better idea of the man. Clearly the Romanians are more likely to have some idea about the specifics of Becali, but I'm also interested if people see these sorts of religious politicians, who seem to be cropping up with increasing frequently in ex-eastern bloc countries, are a good or a bad thing in general.
James
I just stumbled across this (slightly anti) article in the BBC news website about a rising star in Romanian politics. I know very little about the man except that he once offered to build a church if Steaua won some game. I wondered what others, particularly the Romanians here thought. Here's the article for those who are as clueless as I was:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6457237.stm
Now, I can't say that I particularly care for the picture of him as St. John (and it does smack a little of the sort of Latin influenced folk faith you sometimes find amongst less theologically aware Romanian villagers) but I am impressed that someone is willing to stand up for the Church, and that he's so clearly determined to bring his faith into not just Romanian but EU politics. If only we had more people willing to do that. Unfortunately, what would otherwise be enthusiasm for the man is somewhat tempered by my wariness of those who earnt great fortunes after the fall of Ceausescu's regime. With one notable exception, all those I know who grew rich at that time are less than honest.
Anyway, I'd be interested to see what others think, especially anyone who knows more about him, or has sources (in either English or Romanian) that I can read to get a better idea of the man. Clearly the Romanians are more likely to have some idea about the specifics of Becali, but I'm also interested if people see these sorts of religious politicians, who seem to be cropping up with increasing frequently in ex-eastern bloc countries, are a good or a bad thing in general.
James