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Why was religion persecuted under Stalin? - Coggle Diagram
Why was religion persecuted under Stalin?
Religious persecution
Stalin and Lenin shared the notion that religious faith had no place in a communist society
1928 - campaign to close the churches begun
Russian Orthodox church was the main target. but all religions and denominations were at risk
Clerics who refused to co-operate were arrested and exiled
Suppression of religion in urban areas was straightforward, issues arose in the countryside
Destruction of rural churches and confiscations of relics and icons in homes caused revolts
Authorities failed to understand that while it appeared as superstition to them, to peasants it was part of their traditions.
led to widespread resistance in rural provinces of the USSR
led to authorities declaring that those opposed to restrictions were against collectivization and were branded kulaks for property seizure
led to Stalin calling a halt on the seizure, however it was temporary
Great terror of the 1930s
2 more items...
post war supression
improved relations continued after the war
Stalin's death in 1951- 25,000 churches had reopened and a number of monasteries and seminaries
Improved relations did not mean freedom for the Orthodox Church
Price for being allowed to exist openly was conforming under the regime
Impact of the war on religious persecution
WW2 which began in the USSR in June 1941,, brought a temporary end to the persecution of the churches
Stalin was able to enlist religion into the war
he re-opened churches, released the clergy and people were able to celebrate uplifting Orthodox church ceremonies
During the war, Stalin played down politics and emphasized nationalism
talk of proletarian struggle gave way to appeal to defend holy Russia from godless invaders.
Worship of Stalin
Despite soviet denunciation of faith, authorities weren't against the powerful religious sense of the soviet people to promote Stalin's image
traditional worship of saints, icons, prayers were translated into the new regime
Stalin became an icon
picture was carried on giant flags in organized processions such as May day and his birthday