Russian Orthodox activists have implored Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to cancel the upcoming concert of controversial musician Marilyn Manson, saying the singer violates Russia's anti-blasphemy law.
Dmitry Tsorionov, the head of "God's Will," a Russian Orthodox social movement, said believers condemned the "blasphemy and profanity of his [Manson's] song lyrics but mostly by his behavior during performances," RIA Novosti reported Thursday.
"The burning and destruction of the Bible is an integral part of his show," Tsorionov told RIA Novosti on Friday. "For example, the culmination of his concert in St. Petersburg was the destruction of a Bible in front of an enthusiastic crowd that he had brought to an absolutely inadequate state."
The organization also said Manson's performances were "full of elements insulting to the feelings of believers" and promoted "religious hatred, cruelty, murder, suicide, sexual perversion and Satanism among young people, including minors."
In July 2013, Russia passed a new anti-blasphemy law introducing fines and possible prison sentences for offending the "feelings of religious believers."
Manson, who is scheduled to perform in Moscow on June 27, has also been declared persona non grata in other Russian cities.
Local authorities in Novosibirsk announced on Wednesday that Manson's concert set to take place on June 29 was being canceled for "fear of the safety" of its residents, RIA Novosti reported.
On June 11, 400 residents of Novosibirsk demonstrated against Manson's planned visit to the city. The participants in the protest handed out St. George ribbons, held icons and carried posters with the inscription "Say no to Uncle Manson," Lenta.ru reported.
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