Religion under Brezhnev Flashcards
What did Brezhnev end regarding religion?
Khrushchev’s overt campaign against religion
How did Brezhnev initially end Khrushchev’s overt campaign against religion?
Church closures stopped and so did the poster campaigns
What did Brezhnev advocate for regarding religion?
Brezhnev advocated spreading the philosophy of atheism rather than attacking religious organisations or practices
When did Brezhnev open the Institute of Scientific Atheism?
1968
What did the Institute of Scientific Atheism do?
The Institute for Scientific Atheism published articles in newspapers and advised teachers on how to spread atheism in the classroom
What did Brezhnev’s foreign policy of seeking allies in the Middle East lead to a change in?
A change in policy towards Islam
How did previous leaders describe Islam?
A backwards and barbarian religion
What did the Government start supporting under Brezhnev?
Anti-American Islamic groups
From the late 1960s, what did the Soviet Government describe Islam as ?
A “progressive, anti-colonial and revolutionary creed” that was compatible with socialism
What did Brezhnev’s attempt to promote atheism not lead to?
- A reduction in the numbers of people professing religious faith
- No more churches or mosques closed
- The promotion of people professing a religious faith remained stable at 20 per cent from 1960 through to 1985
Was there increased access to religious literature under Andropov?
Yes. Restrictions on the distribution of religious literature were eased - allowing greater access to religious texts and materials
Were there more relaxed restrictions on religious practices under Andropov?
Yes. His policies allowed for more relaxed restrictions on religious practices - including the construction of new places of worship and the holding of religious services
Did the policies introduced by Andropov represent true religious freedom?
No. They fell far short of true religious freedom. The Soviet Union remained an officially atheist state and religious organisations were still subject to strict controls and regulations
(Although the policies introduced by Andropov did represent a significant shift from those of his predecessors)
Was there evidence of increased religious persecution under Chernenko?
Yes. For example: The Russian Orthodox Church accused the government of conducting a campaign of harassment against the Church - this included the removal of icons and crosses from churches and the confiscation of Church property (1985)
