ABSTRACT
Soviet policy towards religion contains contradictory elements. The evidence about religion in the Soviet Union comes from a number of different sources which can be checked against each other. Copious evidence comes from conversations with Soviet citizens. The peasant religion was despised by atheist intelligentsia and sentimentalized by many of educated Christians, but it was more thoughtful than might be gathered from a reading of Russian literature. The Soviet experience of religious vitality within their own borders has brought Soviet foreign office to take lively interest in religious situation in other countries, including Britain. The Russian Orthodox and other churches in the Soviet Union are required to give active support to various 'peace' movements, understanding the word 'peace' as support for Soviet foreign policy. Pressure on the churches was increased at the end of Brezhnev's reign and throughout Andropov's short period.
