“Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.”
- April 22, 1870 – January 21, 1924
- Born in the Russian Empire
- Revolutionary, political theorist, lawyer, state leader
- He led the Russian Revolution and is known as the founder of the Soviet Union. He put Marxist theory into practice and became a symbolic figure in the communist movement of the 20th century.
Quote
“Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.”
Explanation
In this quote, Lenin asserts that atheism is a fundamental part of the socialist program, emphasizing the need to challenge religious authority and belief systems that, in his view, serve to maintain the existing social order. Lenin believed that religion was a tool of the ruling class, used to pacify the oppressed and prevent them from recognizing their material exploitation. For Lenin, the abolition of religion was essential to the revolutionary process, as it was tied to the superstition, ignorance, and inequality of the old order. The propaganda of atheism was, therefore, part of the broader effort to create a scientific worldview based on materialism, which he believed was necessary to underpin the socialist transformation of society.
Historically, this idea reflects the Bolshevik commitment to secularism after the 1917 Revolution. Under Lenin, the Soviet state sought to reduce the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church and other religious institutions, which were seen as aligned with the Tsarist autocracy and the capitalist system. Religious institutions were persecuted, and the state promoted atheism through education, public policy, and propaganda. Lenin and other Bolshevik leaders believed that the scientific materialist worldview of Marxism was incompatible with religious faith, and they worked to promote a society based on reason, science, and collective action rather than religious belief.
In modern contexts, this quote raises questions about the role of religion in politics and whether state-sponsored atheism can coexist with individual religious freedoms. Communist regimes in the 20th century, particularly in the Soviet Union and China, often faced criticism for suppressing religious expression in favor of state-imposed atheism. Lenin’s stance also challenges the relationship between faith and social justice, with contemporary debates often focusing on whether religious beliefs can contribute to progressive social movements or if they inherently conflict with secular political systems.
