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A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism

Name: A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism
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4.8 of 5 Stars: Atheism - A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism

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Book Synopsis: When the Bolsheviks set out to build a new world in the wake of the Russian Revolution, they expected religion to die off. Soviet power used a variety of tools--from education to propaganda to terror—to turn its vision of a Communist world without religion into reality. Yet even with its monopoly on ideology and power, the Soviet Communist Party never succeeded in overcoming religion and creating an atheist society. A Sacred Space Is Never Empty presents the first history of Soviet atheism from the 1917 revolution to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Drawing on a wealth of archival material and in-depth interviews with those who were on the front lines of Communist ideological campaigns, Victoria Smolkin argues that to understand the Soviet experiment, we must make sense of Soviet atheism. Smolkin shows how atheism was reimagined as an alternative cosmology with its own set of positive beliefs, practices, and spiritual commitments. Through its engagements with religion, the Soviet leadership realized that removing religion from the "sacred spaces" of Soviet life was not enough. Then, in the final years of the Soviet experiment, Mikhail Gorbachev—in a stunning and unexpected reversal—abandoned atheism and reintroduced religion into Soviet public life. A Sacred Space Is Never Empty explores the meaning of atheism for religious life, for Communist ideology, and for Soviet politics.

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Discover the fascinating history of Soviet atheism with A Sacred Space Is Never Empty: A History of Soviet Atheism. From the Bolsheviks' attempts to eliminate religion to the unexpected reintroduction of religion in the final years of the Soviet experiment, this groundbreaking book offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationship between religion and the Communist party. Through extensive research and interviews, Victoria Smolkin unveils the true story behind the Soviet Union's struggle to create an atheist society.

Uncover the untold narrative of Soviet atheism as Smolkin delves into the archival material and firsthand accounts of those involved in Communist ideological campaigns. Gain a deeper understanding of how atheism was reimagined as its own cosmology, complete with its own beliefs, practices, and spiritual commitments. Explore the ongoing battle between religion and Communist ideology, as the Soviet leadership realizes that removing religion from the "sacred spaces" of Soviet life was not enough.

But that's not all! A Sacred Space Is Never Empty also delves into the unexpected twist that took place in the final years of the Soviet experiment. Witness the stunning reversal as Mikhail Gorbachev abandons atheism and reintroduces religion into Soviet public life. Uncover the significance of this profound shift and its impact on religious life, Communist ideology, and Soviet politics.

Don't miss out on this captivating journey through Soviet atheism. Order your copy of A Sacred Space Is Never Empty today and delve into the intriguing world of religion and politics in the Soviet Union. Click here to get your hands on this must-read book now!

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