Religion and the State in Russia and China Suppression, Survival, and Revival

Religion and the State in Russia and China explores the religious nature of man through the cases of forced secularization in the Soviet Union and China. The book provides an in-depth account of the failure and successes of both countries' secularization policies. Starting with the theological innovations that led to atheistic theorizing, it then looks at the policies that were implemented to speed up the suppression of religious beliefs and what ultimately led to today's resurgence of religion. Russia and China are ideal cases for a comparative study as both experimented with the idea of eradication of religion under Marxist-Leninist parties and regimes. However, they differ in their relationship with their states, religious denominations, and societies. The research for this project includes extensive fieldwork in both Russia and China, including participant-observation at rallies and demonstrations as well as interviews with scholars, religious believers/non-believers, and religious leading figures. Religion and the State in Russia and China offers original research for an in-depth survey that will interest anyone studying politics and religion, policies, as well as theories of desecularization.

Introduction: From Forced Secularization to Desecularization1. The Theological Roots of Militant Atheism2. Evicting God: Forced Secularization in the Soviet Union3. Faith in Defiance: The Persistence of Religion under Scientific Atheism4. Russia's Religious Renaissance5. China's Third Opium War: The CCP's Struggle With Religion6. Keeping the Faith: The Persistence of Religious Life in Communist China7. From Religious Anesthesia to Jesus FeverConclusion: Man, The State, and God