Religious Conflict in Russia
RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN RUSSIA
One of the great ironies of history is that Marxism, an atheistic theory, was first implemented in Russiaa land inhabited by millions of believers practicing most of the world's great religions. In fact, religion is so integral to the culture and history of Russia, it would be impossible to gain a full understanding for the unique character of the country and its people without a careful examination of the religious factors at play throughout its history.
BACKGROUND
Basic Demographics Any discussion of Russia must begin with its single most striking featureits sheer vastness. During World War II, a German general noted how his troops "were depressed by the monotony of the landscape and the immensity of the stretches of forest, marsh, and plain." Russia is, in fact, a land of vast spaces and colossal distances. This fact alone has had a singularly dramatic effect upon the history of the Russian people and the development of their culture and religion. It is the world's largest country in area, covering over 6.5 million square miles of territory, extending over a large part of both Europe and Asia. It has coastlines on the Artic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, and Pacific Ocean. It also borders eight European countries and three Asian countries. However, it lacks any significant physical barriers from its neighborsa reality which has opened the Russian heartland to invasion numerous times. Moscow is the largest city (population 10.1 million) and is the capital of the Federation. The city has been a key center of government, commerce, culture, and religion since its founding in the 12th century. Its urban area constitutes nearly one-tenth of the total Russian population, thus making it the most populous city in Europe. Moscow continues to be the center of Russian Government and is increasingly important as an economic and business hub. It is also of great importance as a religious center, with its hundreds of
One of the great ironies of history is that Marxism, an atheistic theory, was first implemented in Russiaa land inhabited by millions of believers practicing most of the world's great religions. In fact, religion is so integral to the culture and history of Russia, it would be impossible to gain a full understanding for the unique character of the country and its people without a careful examination of the religious factors at play throughout its history.
BACKGROUND
Basic Demographics Any discussion of Russia must begin with its single most striking featureits sheer vastness. During World War II, a German general noted how his troops "were depressed by the monotony of the landscape and the immensity of the stretches of forest, marsh, and plain." Russia is, in fact, a land of vast spaces and colossal distances. This fact alone has had a singularly dramatic effect upon the history of the Russian people and the development of their culture and religion. It is the world's largest country in area, covering over 6.5 million square miles of territory, extending over a large part of both Europe and Asia. It has coastlines on the Artic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, and Pacific Ocean. It also borders eight European countries and three Asian countries. However, it lacks any significant physical barriers from its neighborsa reality which has opened the Russian heartland to invasion numerous times. Moscow is the largest city (population 10.1 million) and is the capital of the Federation. The city has been a key center of government, commerce, culture, and religion since its founding in the 12th century. Its urban area constitutes nearly one-tenth of the total Russian population, thus making it the most populous city in Europe. Moscow continues to be the center of Russian Government and is increasingly important as an economic and business hub. It is also of great importance as a religious center, with its hundreds of