Your Religion under Communism (Resources for Research)

[Laika]

I decided to start this thread in order to really face up to some uncomfortable truths. For me, it is an exercise in humility and an act of rememberence, but for others on this forum it may be an insight in to the collective recent history based on shared beliefs. I think that it is important to at least try to share some of this information so that people can see the history of Communism through the experiences of members of their own religious groups and get that "it could have been me" moment, hopefully making this more relatable. That at least underlines the fact that, whilst largely forgotten and marginalised in the West, the knowledge of this part of history still matters in terms of understanding freedom of religion and whether religion is an intrinsic aspect of human culture, identity and understanding.

I also feel the need to at least raise awareness that in the remaining communist countries (China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba and-somewhat debatably- North Korea), state atheism and persecution of religious belief continues to be a fact of everyday life. I've used wikipedia as it is the most accessible and does have suprisingly deatiled information.

If you have any requests, I will research it for you. I will keep researching and adding to this page.This thread is not intended for debate, but rather to supply resources for debates to occur else where on the forums.

Overview of Anti-Religious Campigns in the USSR:
1917-1921
1921-1928
1958-1964
1970s-1987

Freedom of Religion:
China
Cuba
Vietnam
Laos
North Korea

Baha'i Faith:
Baha'i Faith in Turkmenistan (during the Soviet Period)

Buddhism:
Persecution of Buddhists under Communism
Buddhism under the Khmur Rouge (Cambodia)
Tuvan People's Republic (A small Marxist State where Buddhism was made the State Religion 1926-1929)
[Tibetian Buddhism]

Cao Dai (Vietnam):
Cao Dai

Christians:
Persecution of Christians in the Eastern Bloc
Persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union

Confucianism:
Critcize Lin, Criticize Confucious Campign in China

Falun Gong:
Persecution of Falun Gong (China)

Hinduism:
[Afghanistan]

Hoa Hao (Vietnamese Buddhism):
Reported Persecution

Jehovah's Witnesses:
Cuba
Cuba (2)

Judaism:
Anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union
Soviet Anti-Zionism

Muslims:
Islam in the Soviet Union
Soviet Orientalist Studies in Islam

Mongolian Shamanism (occassionally referred to as "Tengerism"):
Mongolian People's Republic

Pagan:
Baltic NeoPaganism

Sikhism
[Afghanistan]

Taoism:
History of Taoism In the People's Republic of China

Zoroastrianism:
[Afghanistan]
possible repression in Armenia

 

[Corthos]

I'd love to read this more when I get home from work, but until then, I just wanted to mention that you might want to put up the recent events surrounding the communist party in China vs. Falun Gong/Falun Dafa if it isn't already there. That needs to be known more. =)

 

[Valjean]

True, there's a bleak history of totalitarian regimes masquerading as communes, but why would this mean all communal scieties must need reject diversity and freedom of conscience?

 

[Kori]

What about Pagans?

 

[Laika]

I'd love to read this more when I get home from work, but until then, I just wanted to mention that you might want to put up the recent events surrounding the communist party in China vs. Falun Gong/Falun Dafa if it isn't already there. That needs to be known more. =)

Added.

True, there's a bleak history of totalitarian regimes masquerading as communes, but why would this mean all communal scieties must need reject diversity and freedom of conscience?

That's not inteded to be the implication of the OP as I'm specifically referring to the "Marxist-Leninist" (and Maoist derivation) of Communism rather than all forms of Communism. There are examples of syncretic combination of Marxism with religions (e.g. Islamic Marxism) and attempts to turn marxism into a pseudo-religion (e.g. God-building). The thing is that as Marxism-Leninism represents a worldview rather than simply a "political" ideology, it necessarily asserts control of all aspects of social life- including religion.

 

[Aupmanyav]

India has never been wholly under communist rule (they missed a golden chance in 1977), but three states in India have been ruled by Communists. Tripura (a small North-Eastern state) which has been ruled by communists for 33 years, Kerala (not very small state, Southern most in India) off and on since Independence, and West Bengal (one of the larger states) for 34 years till 2011. Kerala and West Bengal go to polls next month. Here is what Times of India editorial says about interaction of comrades and religions:

"Just in jest! - Lal Salaam (Red Salute) To Comrade Krishna
Mar 19 2016 : The Times of India (Delhi)

In pre-poll Bengal and Kerala, vote-catching reds turn religious Karl Marx once remarked that he had found the German philosopher Hegel standing on his head and turned him the right side up in formulating his own theory of dialectical materialism. Now, Indian communists in Bengal and Kerala seem to be upending the author of Das Kapital, at least in so far as it concerns his dismissal of religion as the opiate of the masses. As the two states gear up for assembly polls, the followers of Marx are resorting to what might be termed diametrical immaterialism by turning to religion, which they seem to reinterpret not as a mass narcotic but as an invigorating Viagra of the vote bank. In both the states the comrades are trying to woo voters by giving an approving thumbs-up to religious rites and places of worship.

In Bengal, big guns from the communist arsenal have reportedly made themselves conspicuous by their presence at Hooghly's Furfura Sharif, the 14th century shrine revered by the Muslim community, which is widely seen to be a pivotal poll factor in no less than 123 of the state's 294 constituencies. Asked to explain how such devotional genuflexions can be reconciled to atheistic Marxism, the CPM state secretary is quoted as saying that while he does not practice religious worship either in private or in public, he does visit the shrine in question as, being the venue of a popular fair, “It provides a good opportunity to connect with people.“

Some might feel that the leftist doth protest too much, even as his comrades in arms or should that be comrades in alms? In distant Kerala cross over to the saffron side of the religious spectrum and seek to win over the Hindu vote in the face of a growing BJP challenge. Key functionaries of the CPM have been spotted joining in festivities associated with Hindu deities like Krishna, though such revisionist deviations have been explained away as having not religious but secular associations in that they represent the `end of Onam', the harvest festival. Some might deem such excuses to be unnecessary in that its acolytes have turned Marxism itself into a religion, replete with its holy icons like Lenin and Trotsky , apart from Karl himself, and its priestly class as represented by the Politburo."

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/index.aspx?eid=31808&dt=20160319#

 

[DawudTalut]

I decided to start this thread in order to really face up to some uncomfortable truths. ...............

Peace be on you.
Thanks for your effort.
Here is some relevant material:

"AHMADI MISSIONARY VISITS RUSSIA
Later, on December 10, 1924, a dedicated and zealous Ahmadi Missionary, charged with the spirit of service for Islam, Maulawi Zuhur Hussain, proceeded to Russia on his own to deliver the message of Ahmadiyyat to the people of Russia under the instructions of the Second Khalifah. His mission was very hazardous and challenging in nature, because in the wake of the newly established Bolshevik revolution, every British citizen was treated with great suspicion. Any such citizen who ventured to enter Russia was assumed to be a spy. No exception was made in the case of Maulawi Zuhur Hussain who was arrested. Soon after his arrival, he was put through severe interrogation and mental and physical torture. Although, later on, this Ahmadi Missionary lost his mind through unrelenting torture and extremely hard and trying conditions in Russian prisons in those days, but before that he continued delivering the message of Ahmadiyyat to the inmates of the prisons. There were also many other converts through the efforts of ‘Abdul Qadir, one of the later converts. At last this pioneer missionary, in that precarious state of mind and body was thrown out somewhere across the Turkish border with Russia. Properly taken care of by the Turkish authorities, he slowly recovered and returned to Qadian. His book is a very interesting record of extreme hardship and hazards which religious movements face during their nascent periods....."
Pages 43 + @ https://www.alislam.org/library/books/muslims/with-love-to-Muslims.pdf

====================================================================

There had been a prophecy fulfilled by founder of Ahmadiyya-Muslim Community:
"On April 15th, 1904 the Promised Messiah (AS) announced that it has been revealed to him that the world would soon be overtaken by a terrible calamity. He indicated that the Czar of Russia would be afflicted with great misery. In 1905 Czar was the most powerful monarch on earth with staggering wealth. The prophecy was fulfilled when the First World War broke out and the Czar wiped out alongwith his family by the Bolshevik revolution in 1918."
https://www.alislam.org/library/history/ahmadiyya/25.html

===================================================================

The spread of Islam in Russia was foretold by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (a.s.), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, at the beginning of this century. On 30th January, 1903, he saw a Divine dream which he has described:

The same night I saw in a dream as if the scepter of the Czar of Russia was in my hand ... (Tadhkira p.65)

On another occasion he declared:I see my community in Russia like grains of sand in number. (Ibid p.38)

https://www.alislam.org/library/links/communism.html

==================================================================

So as far as Ahmadiyya Muslims are concerned, Soviet's treatment to Islam is going to turn into eventual peaceful spread of Ahmadiyya-Islam in all that region. [Allah willingly- InshaAllah]

 

[Laika]

What about Pagans?

I've added it to the OP as it's something to look into. It is admittedly harder to find (on wikipedia at least) because there are a large number of traditions, but few specific references to repression under the Communists. It's reasonable to assume they were persecuted though.

 

[Kori]

I've added it to the OP as it's something to look into. It is admittedly harder to find (on wikipedia at least) because there are a large number of traditions, but few specific references to repression under the Communists. It's reasonable to assume they were persecuted though.

Chances are Pagans weren't good enough to oppress. We were in so small number that it may have not been worth the effort. Compared to the "Evil" Christians and Jews.

 

[Laika]

Chances are Pagans weren't good enough to oppress. We were in so small number that it may have not been worth the effort. Compared to the "Evil" Christians and Jews.

There is a single line reference to Soviet repression in the wikipedia article for Baltic Neopaganism.

 

[Laika]

added Mongolian Shamanism (Tengerism) and Zoroastrianism in Armenia.

 

[Frank Merton]

Totalitarian regimes are not alone in persecuting religions. It is the rule with few exceptions. Even when the government is neutral social majorities almost always persecute minorities.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

I decided to start this thread in order to really face up to some uncomfortable truths. For me, it is an exercise in humility and an act of rememberence, but for others on this forum it may be an insight in to the collective recent history based on shared beliefs. I think that it is important to at least try to share some of this information so that people can see the history of Communism through the experiences of members of their own religious groups and get that "it could have been me" moment, hopefully making this more relatable. That at least underlines the fact that, whilst largely forgotten and marginalised in the West, the knowledge of this part of history still matters in terms of understanding freedom of religion and whether religion is an intrinsic aspect of human culture, identity and understanding.

I also feel the need to at least raise awareness that in the remaining communist countries (China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba and-somewhat debatably- North Korea), state atheism and persecution of religious belief continues to be a fact of everyday life. I've used wikipedia as it is the most accessible and does have suprisingly deatiled information.

If you have any requests, I will research it for you. I will keep researching and adding to this page.This thread is not intended for debate, but rather to supply resources for debates to occur else where on the forums.

Overview of Anti-Religious Campigns in the USSR:
1917-1921
1921-1928
1958-1964
1970s-1987

Freedom of Religion:
China
Cuba
Vietnam
Laos
North Korea


Buddhism:
Persecution of Buddhists under Communism
Buddhism under the Khmur Rouge (Cambodia)
Tuvan People's Republic (A small Marxist State where Buddhism was made the State Religion 1926-1929)
[Tibetian Buddhism]

Cao Dai (Vietnam):
Cao Dai

Christians:
Persecution of Christians in the Eastern Bloc
Persecution of Christians in the Soviet Union

Confucianism:
Critcize Lin, Criticize Confucious Campign in China

Falun Gong:
Persecution of Falun Gong (China)

Hinduism:
[Afghanistan]

Hoa Hao (Vietnamese Buddhism):
Reported Persecution

Jehovah's Witnesses:
Cuba
Cuba (2)

Judaism:
Anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union
Soviet Anti-Zionism

Muslims:
Islam in the Soviet Union
Soviet Orientalist Studies in Islam

Mongolian Shamanism (occassionally referred to as "Tengerism"):
Mongolian People's Republic

Pagan:
Baltic NeoPaganism

Sikhism
[Afghanistan]

Taoism:
History of Taoism In the People's Republic of China

Zoroastrianism:
[Afghanistan]
possible repression in Armenia

Communism and facism go hand in hand, both of which have no place in this world imho , connecting it to religion is a abomination son without a father creation IMHO
Communism never really works when fascists are in control

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

Not all communist ideology is authoritarian or statist.

What do you mean communism doesn't work when fascists are in control? (I would say that communism is by definition stateless but will not get so pedantic because I think you're talking about transition states.)

What socialist state that has been lead by fascists are referencing when you say that?

They are opposing ideologies, what do you mean when using fascist in this context?

By human nature the strongest warriors rule the commune unless is hippy commune , then other warriors come take over anyway .

 

[Valjean]

By human nature the strongest warriors rule the commune unless is hippy commune , then other warriors come take over anyway .

An excellent argument for hippie values and administration.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

An excellent argument for hippie values and administration.

Wasn't really referring to it as a legalize weed arguement .
Without weed is pacifism like Gandhi still good arguement
World of hunters and gatherers , law and democracy .
Human have 6000 years least of written word and life experience , however everyone that tries to create does so from a biased perspective from one side or another .

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

That didn't answer any above question.

A little commune in a big world would be ultimately forced into a facsist stance against the outside world.
In a world of single government communism will work , however end of day it depends on the leaders of the commune for guidance , if he dictator going to be aweful world commune .

 

[Valjean]

A little commune in a big world would be ultimately forced into a facsist stance against the outside world.
In a world of single government communism will work , however end of day it depends on the leaders of the commune for guidance , if he dictator going to be aweful world commune .

Why would a commune be 'against' the outside world, and why would a commune have leaders?

 

[arthra]

Probably the best known case of living under a Soviet regime for Baha'is was the case of Ishqabad Turministan. Baha'is began building the first Baha'i House of Worship in 1902 and completed it in 1907.

The Russian Empire at the time recognized the new Faith and allowed construction of the Temple. Following the revolution under the Lenin regime there was still a modicum of freedom...however under Stalin the situation grew progressively worse..starting with the state seizing the property of the temple and requiring the Baha'is to sign a lease to use the Temple and later with the expulsion of Baha'is to Persia and Siberia. The Temple was used as a Gallery and a museum ..however in 1948 there was an earthquake and the Temple was unusable after that.

A general history of the Temple in Ishqabad and how the Baha'is fared under the Soviets can be found at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahá'í_Faith_in_Turkmenistan

Today the Baha'is are still not recognized in Turkminstan but in Russia today there is a recognized Baha'i community.

 

[Laika]

Probably the best known case of living under a Soviet regime for Baha'is was the case of Ishqabad Turministan. Baha'is began building the first Baha'i House of Worship in 1902 and completed it in 1907.

The Russian Empire at the time recognized the new Faith and allowed construction of the Temple. Following the revolution under the Lenin regime there was still a modicum of freedom...however under Stalin the situation grew progressively worse..starting with the state seizing the property of the temple and requiring the Baha'is to sign a lease to use the Temple and later with the expulsion of Baha'is to Persia and Siberia. The Temple was used as a Gallery and a museum ..however in 1948 there was an earthquake and the Temple was unusable after that.

A general history of the Temple in Ishqabad and how the Baha'is fared under the Soviets can be found at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahá'í_Faith_in_Turkmenistan

Today the Baha'is are still not recognized in Turkminstan but in Russia today there is a recognized Baha'i community.

I'm not familar with the Baha'i Faith so I didn't actually know there were members in Turkmenistan during the Soviet era. I've added the wikipedia link to the OP, so many thanks for that.