RELIGION IN RUSSIA

Flak, Volume 1, Issue 5, 14 May 1943, Page 7

RELIGION IN RUSSIA

Sir,— There appears to be a considerable misapprehension existing ' about the anti-religious campaign in Russia. It would be more correct to’ call it an anti clergy campaign. ' Czar Vladimir and -his successors through centuries “imposed” not only Christianity, but an organisation which became the greatest “power behind the throne” that ever influenced the history of Europe. One of the notable aspects of the Bolshevik revolution and the subsequent reorganisation of the vast Russian Empire, was the typical socialpsychological reaction against religion. It is not easy to re-educate a great body of people to recognise the supremacy of the State and not a Church. Hence the necessity for the anti-religious propaganda that characterised the early ’ development of the Communistic philosophy.' * However, religion formed too great a part of the social structure of the Russian people to be readily incorporated into a non-religious society. Therefore, when the Communist regime was well established, interference with the religious inclinations of the people relapsed and has now practically disappeared. From a psychological point of view it is natural that the more practical a people’s economic ,philosophy, the greater the need for a symbolic and emotional . ■ theology. '< ■•' ;■ So it is desirable in commenting upon, or observing, the reactionary history of religion in Russia, to bear in mind that the great anti-religious campaign proved a means to an end — and a very successful end.

The leading question now becomes: “Will the Russian people succeed in maintaining the right balance between their obligations to the State, and their support of the organised church in the coming years of world readjustment?

Sir,— . - In reply to the article in last issue of “FLAK,” on the above subject, the following extract written by Alexander Werth, a war correspondent in Moscow in 1941, .is of interest:— “I haven’t seen the slightest trace of anti-religious propaganda here: and God is often mentioned in conversation. I don’t think the Soviet regime will ever bother about anti-religious propaganda again; but it will remain anti-clerical. .It is, of course, probably justified in regarding the clergy as, an undesirable influence, and the obscurantist Orthodox Church as having done its best to prevent the spread of education. ’ The existence of churches and priests will, be permitted,' but limited, by the possibilities of having the priests trained and the churches financially maintained.” Atheism did not replace Orthodox Christianity. Rather should we say that non-religious bodies were allowed to flourish as well as religious. The tendency to swing against the clergy was caused by oppression and not from any anti-religious sentiment. However, according to the above article, Christianity seems to be taking its proper place in their lives. —L/BDR.