3.1.3 Attacks on Religious Beliefs & Practices 2

Attacks on Religion Under Khrushchev

Khrushchev made a much more direct attack on religion than Stalin had dared to during the Great Patriotic War.

Russian Orthodox Church

• Khrushchev led a campaign against religion.

• He victimised the church and its congregations.

  • The state closed Russian Orthodox Churches and monasteries.

Priests

• The state tried to limit the power of priests.

• Any who protested were imprisoned.

Other faiths

• Khrushchev targeted other strands of Christianity, as well as Islam, in a similar way.

• Atheism was now a subject in the school curriculum.

• People with strong religious beliefs experienced discrimination in their university and job applications.

Religion, 1964-85

Brezhnev's approach to religion represents a change in focus from Khrushchev's and Stalin's previous approach.

Scientific education

• Instead of oppressing religious groups, Brezhnev preferred to use scientific education to make sure that young people turned away from religion.

Support for Muslim groups

• Brezhnev started supporting Islamic groups in the Middle East.

  • This was because they were anti-American.

• The Board of Muslims of Central Area and Kazakhstan was created.

• Communists now saw Islam as a progressive and even revolutionary religion.