The First Atheist Constitution: A Country Without God

Albania was the first country to adopt a constitution declaring it an atheist state. Article 37 of the 1976 Albanian Constitution stated: The state recognizes no religion, and supports atheistic propaganda in order to implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people. Albania's communist regime outlawed religion and waged a long campaign of repression against religious believers, jailing and executing clerics and persecuting their families. Despite the state's commitment to the destruction of religious institutions, some Albanian families continued to practice their faith in secret, risking their lives as so-called 'enemies of the people'.

Explore related products

A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution

$15.99 $22.99

The Oxford History of the French Revolution

$35.49 $43.99

Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution

$13.33 $38

The French Revolution: A History

$0.99

French Revolution & What Went Wrong

$15.5

Revolutionary Ideas: An Intellectual History of the French Revolution from The Rights of Man to Robespierre

$26.49 $35

Atheism in the US Constitution

Article VI of the Constitution states that "no religious Test shall ever be required" for federal officeholders. This provision was included to address the concerns of two groups of Americans: those who wanted the government to give a more prominent role to faith, and those who feared that the Constitution would establish a state-supported religion. By including this clause, the delegates aimed to avoid the controversial issue of religion and prevent religious discrimination in public office.

The First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1789, is particularly relevant to the topic of atheism. It prohibits the government from establishing a state religion or favouring one religion over another. This amendment ensures that citizens cannot be forced to participate in a government-sponsored religion and protects the free exercise of religion. The Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment to mean that the government cannot express a preference for "religion over irreligion," thus providing protection for atheists as well.

The inclusion of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause in the First Amendment has been crucial in protecting the rights of atheists. These clauses prohibit the government from establishing a government-sponsored religion or showing preference to any religion over non-religion. This safeguards atheists from being compelled to participate in religious activities and protects them from government reprisal if they choose not to participate.

While the exact number of atheists in the United States is difficult to determine, it is clear that atheism is a significant viewpoint within the country. The protection of atheists' rights under the First Amendment has been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in various cases, including McCreary County v. ACLU in 2005. In this case, Justice O'Connor explicitly stated that the Religion Clauses protect "adherents of all religions, as well as those who believe in no religion at all."

In conclusion, while the US Constitution does not explicitly mention atheism, its provisions, particularly the First Amendment, have been instrumental in safeguarding the rights of atheists and ensuring their freedom from religious coercion. The interpretation and application of these constitutional protections continue to shape the legal landscape regarding the separation of church and state in the United States.

Atheist countries

Atheism has a long and complex history, with roots stretching back to ancient Greece and India. In the 5th century BCE, the ancient Greek adjective "átheos" meant "godless". The word "atheist" first appeared in English books around 1566, although it was used exclusively as an insult at the time. The concept of atheism re-emerged during the Age of Enlightenment as a reaction to the intellectual and religious turmoil of the time.

In terms of officially atheist states, the Soviet Union under Lenin was a de facto atheist state, and countries in Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia, experienced strong state atheism policies. The Soviet Union attempted to suppress public religious expression in many areas of its influence, including Central Asia. During the Stalinist era, those seeking social success generally had to profess atheism and avoid places of worship.

Albania, under Enver Hoxha, declared itself the "first atheist state in the world" in 1967, despite the strong influence of the Soviet Union on the country. Article 37 of the Albanian Constitution of 1976 stated:

> "The state recognizes no religion, and supports atheistic propaganda in order to implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people."

However, in 1990, the policy of state atheism was repealed, and the 1998 Constitution of Albania established personal and political rights and freedoms, including protection against coercion in matters of religious belief.

Currently, China, North Korea, and Vietnam are officially atheist states. China's constitution guarantees freedom of religion but only allows members of state-sanctioned organizations to practice religions. The Chinese government has promoted atheism and has said that religious beliefs and membership in the Communist Party are incompatible.

Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge was also an officially atheist regime, and Pol Pot's regime massacred 25,000 Buddhist monks and banned all religious practices, as he believed that Buddhism was a "decadent affectation".

Albania: the first atheist country

In 1967, Enver Hoxha, the head of state of Albania, declared it to be the "first atheist state in the world". Article 37 of the Albanian Constitution of 1976 stated: "The state recognizes no religion, and supports atheistic propaganda in order to implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people."

Albania's declaration as an atheist state was not without precedent. The Soviet Union under Lenin had already been a de facto atheist state, and the country had a long history of state atheism, with those seeking social success generally needing to profess atheism and stay away from places of worship. This trend became especially militant during the middle of the Stalinist era, from 1929 to 1953. Other countries in Eastern Europe, such as Bulgaria, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia, also experienced strong state atheism policies.

Albania's constitution went further than most, however, in actively promoting atheism and seeking to eradicate religious belief. Under Article 37, the country supported "atheistic propaganda" and sought to "implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people". This led to the persecution of religious people and the destruction of religious sites and artefacts. For example, a Catholic priest, Shtjefen Kurti, was executed for secretly baptizing a child in 1972.

In 1990, the policy of state atheism was repealed, and the 1998 Constitution of Albania established personal and political rights and freedoms, including protection against coercion in matters of religious belief. Despite this, Albania is a member state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the 2011 census found that 58.79% of Albanians adhere to Islam, making it the largest religion in the country. The majority of Albanian Muslims are secular Sunnis, with a significant Bektashi Shia minority. Christianity is practiced by 16.99% of the population, making it the second-largest religion in the country.

Explore related products

The Old Regime and the French Revolution

$16.74 $19

The French Revolution: A Political History

$38

The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

$12.99

The Coming of the French Revolution (Princeton Classics)

$11.89 $22.95

The French Revolution and Human Rights: A Brief History with Documents (Bedford Cultural Editions)

$15.99 $27.99

The French Revolution: An Enthralling Guide to a Major Event in World History (Europe)

$13.69

The Soviet Union and state atheism

The Soviet Union, which lasted from 1922 to 1991, had a long history of state atheism. The communist government aimed to break the power of all religious institutions and replace religious belief with atheism. This was done through a government-sponsored program of conversion to atheism, which was conducted by communists. The state's efforts to eradicate religion in the Soviet Union varied over the years and were affected by higher state interests. For instance, in 1923, a New York Times correspondent witnessed Christians peacefully observing Easter in Moscow, despite violent anti-religious actions in previous years.

The Soviet Union's anti-religious stance was driven by Marxist-Leninist ideology, which considered religious beliefs to be "unscientific" and "superstitious". The state's campaign against religion included the systematic destruction of churches and other places of worship. The government also confiscated religious property, harassed believers, and propagated atheism in schools and the media. The League of Militant Godless was one such organization that actively promoted anti-religious propaganda during this time.

The Soviet Union's anti-religious policies had a significant impact on the religious landscape within its borders. By 1939, only 200 churches remained open out of about 46,000 before the Russian Revolution. Many clergy and laymen were executed, imprisoned, or sent to labor camps. The Orthodox Church, in particular, was severely affected, with only four bishops remaining at liberty.

During the Stalinist era, which lasted from 1929 to 1953, the campaign against religion became especially militant. Joseph Stalin, the second leader of the Soviet Union, sought to enforce atheism on the republic. He argued that the "new socialist man" was an atheist, free from the chains of religion that bound people to class oppression. Stalin's measures included the closure of churches, synagogues, and mosques, as well as the killing and imprisonment of thousands of religious leaders. The introduction of a new five-day workweek calendar in 1929, which eliminated traditional days of worship, further hindered religious observance.

Despite the Soviet Union's efforts to promote atheism and suppress religion, it never officially made religion illegal. However, believers faced discrimination and were attacked for their perceived political opposition to the state and its policies. These attacks served the ultimate goal of eliminating religion within the Soviet Union.

Atheism in ancient societies

During the Renaissance and the Reformation, criticism of religious establishments became more common in predominantly Christian countries, although this did not necessarily equate to atheism. The French Revolution of 1789 propelled atheistic thought into the political sphere in some Western countries, paving the way for 19th-century movements such as rationalism, freethought, and liberalism. The Enlightenment also played a pivotal role in fostering skepticism and secularism in Europe.

The first published declaration of atheism in Britain is believed to be the pamphlet "Answer to Dr. Priestley's Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever" (1782), attributed to the Liverpool physician Matthew Turner. However, the concept of atheism was often associated with immorality and a lack of restraint during this time.

In the 20th century, several countries adopted state atheism, notably Albania, which in 1976 became the first constitutionally atheist state. Article 37 of its constitution stated, "The state recognizes no religion, and supports atheistic propaganda in order to implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people." Albania's communist regime outlawed religion and persecuted religious believers and clerics, although some continued to practice their faith in secret.

Other countries that have implemented state atheism include the Soviet Union, China, North Korea, Vietnam, and formerly, Cuba. These countries have promoted atheism and suppressed public religious expression to varying degrees, with policies that have often been militant and repressive.

Frequently asked questions