Separation of Church from State in the USSR

Abstract

The present period in the development of society is characterized by a further weakening of the influence of religious ideology upon the public mind and an acceleration of the process of secularization of governmental and societal relationships. At the same time, in many capitalist countries as well as countries liberated from colonial dependence, religion and religious organizations continue to retain very firm positions and exercise a considerable influence upon the shaping of social relations and the content of legal systems. In a number of countries, religion, its canons, and dogmas are the principal source of law. The clerical movement also exercises a serious influence on the character of norms of public law in capitalist countries.