Decree on Freedom of Conscience, Church and Religious Societies -1918

January 20 (February 2), 1918. 

Decrees of the Soviet Power. T.I.M., State publishing house of political literature, 1957.

1. The church is separated from the state.

2. Within the limits of the Republic, it is forbidden to issue any local laws or regulations that would restrict or restrict the freedom of conscience or establish any advantages or privileges on the basis of the religious affiliation of citizens.

3. Every citizen may profess any religion or none. Any right deprivation associated with the confession of any faith or non-profession of any faith is canceled.

Note. Of all official acts, any indication of religious affiliation and non-affiliation of citizens is eliminated.

4. Actions of the state and other public law public institutions are not accompanied by any religious rites or ceremonies.

5. The free performance of religious rites is ensured insofar as they do not violate public order and are not accompanied by an infringement on the rights of citizens and the Soviet Republic.

Local authorities have the right to take all necessary measures to ensure public order and security in these cases.

6. No one may, referring to their religious views, evade the performance of their civic duties.

Exceptions to this provision, subject to the replacement of one civic duty is different, in each individual case are allowed by the decision of the people's court.

7. Religious wov or oath is cancelled. In necessary cases, only a solemn promise is given.

8. Civil status acts are conducted exclusively by the civil authority: the departments of registration of marriages and births.

9. The school is separated from the church.

The teaching of religious beliefs in all state and public as well as private educational institutions, where general education subjects are taught, is not allowed.

Citizens can teach and learn religion privately.

10. All ecclesiastical and religious societies are subject to the general provisions on private societies and associations and do not enjoy any advantages or subsidies either from the state or from its local autonomous and self-governing institutions.

11. Enforced collection of fees and taxes in favor of ecclesiastical or religious societies, as well as measures of coercion or punishment by these societies against their members are not allowed.

12. No ecclesiastical and religious societies have the right to own property. They do not have legal identity-personality.

13. All property of the church and religious societies is declared public property.

Buildings and objects designed specifically for liturgical purposes are given, by special decrees of the local or central state authorities, for the free use of the respective religious societies.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars

     V. Ulyanov (Lenin).

People's Commissars:

     N. Podvoisky. V. Algasov. V. Trutovsky. A. Schlichter. P. Proshyan. V. Menzhinsky. A. Shlyapnikov. G. Petrovsky.

    Business manager Vl. Bonch-Bruevich.

     Secretary N. Gorbunov.