LEAGUE OF MILITANT ATHEISTS Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "League of Militant Atheists" refers to a historical organization that operated in the Soviet Union during the early 20th century. It was founded in 1925 and disbanded in 1947. The league was a state-sponsored group created with the aim of promoting atheism and eradicating religious influence in Soviet society.
Typically, defined as a militant atheist organization, it sought to actively combat religion and religious beliefs by utilizing aggressive propaganda campaigns, organizing public lectures, publishing anti-religious literature, and encouraging education and scientific rationality. Through these efforts, the League of Militant Atheists sought to establish atheism as the dominant worldview among the Soviet populace, which aligned with the Marxist ideology that the government endorsed.
The league's members, often referred to as militant atheists, were fervent supporters of atheism and held the belief that religion was a harmful and regressive force that hindered social progress. They actively sought to dismantle the role of religion in society by challenging religious institutions and beliefs, promoting atheistic materialism, and encouraging the state's control over religious establishments. The league's activities were characterized by a confrontational approach towards religious practices, attempting to replace religious rituals and symbols with secular alternatives.
While the League of Militant Atheists was disbanded in 1947, its establishment and activities during its existence remain notable instances of state-sponsored atheism and the ongoing debate surrounding its effectiveness and ethical implications.
