State regulation of religious processes in the USSR national autonomies during “perestroika” (lessons from the Buryat Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic)

Abstract

The article delves into the impact of governmental authorities on the state of religious communities in the Buryat ASSR during the “perestroika” era from 1985 to 1991. It highlights how the broader trend of liberalization within the USSR influenced state interactions with religious groups. This shift manifested in revised approaches to monitoring religious organizations and streamlining their registration processes across various regions, including the Buryat ASSR.

Throughout this period, the Commissioners of the Council for Religious Affairs under the USSR Council of Ministers played a pivotal role in overseeing the religious landscape in Buryatia and beyond. Notably, “perestroika” witnessed a rise in the number of believers and religious communities in Buryatia and other regions, despite encountering some challenges. Efforts were underway to reclaim and restore religious structures and artifacts in the area.

The enactment of the 1990 law on “Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” marked a significant milestone, establishing new guidelines for state-religious policies at a legislative level. In Buryatia, this legislation spurred a surge in the registration of religious groups, encouraging a shift towards more transparent and lawful modes of operation. The article also showcases instances of addressing grievances and requests related to the registration of religious bodies and the transfer of religious properties to communities within the Buryat ASSR amid the social transformations of 1985-1991.