Religion

Question 1

Why would they attack orthodox church

Answer 1

• Emphasis on rights on individual didn’t go well with socialist emphasis on collective
• Alternative idealogy
• Opium for masses (create an artificial happiness by distracting from real sufferings)
• Was closely connected with tsarist regime. Tsar was its head, all the appointments had to be approved by tsar

Question 2

Lenin

Answer 2

• 1918 Decree on Freedom of Conscience; Church’s land taken away without compensation and religion banned to be taught outside home
• Many churches destroyed
• Priests denied vote and food rationing
• During Red terror 1921-22 1000 priests killed
• In the end Metropolitan Sergei of Moscow gave support to the government so it was more lean

Question 3

Stalin

Answer 3

• During collectivisation priests labelled as kulags and sent to gulags (specially during Great Purge 1936-9)
• After German invasion when church gave its full support things changed. Seminaries and churches re-opned and there was a general acceptance that in critical situation church can be a good thing to uphold morales

Question 4

Khrushchev

Answer 4

• Pretty severe again
• During his times 10,000 churches closed
• Priests were limited only to give spiritual advice

Question 5

Brezhnev

Answer 5

• He was aware that the repression didn’t look good outside Russia so to save his international relations he was more lean
• He was happy with churches to exist as long as they supported the government and were helping the poor

Question 6

Islam

Answer 6

• Sharia courts were banned

- Ramadan and Polygamy too (women rights and working conditions)

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

• 1980s survey found that only 25% believed in God while much less were practicing religion
• On the other hand those who believed anyway had their faith much strengthen