In Russia; legislation on the separation of church and state in early 1918 marginalized religious faith and raised pressing questions about what was to be done with church buildings. While associated with suspect beliefs; they were also regarded as structures with potential practical uses; and some were considered works of art. This engaging study draws on religious anthropology; sociology; cultural studies; and history to explore the fate of these “socialist churches;†showing how attitudes and practices related to them were shaped both by laws on the preservation of monuments and anti-religious measures. Advocates of preservation; while sincere in their desire to save the buildings; were indifferent; if not hostile; to their religious purpose. Believers; on the other hand; regarded preservation laws as irritants; except when they provided leverage for use of the buildings by church communities. The situation was eased by the growing rapprochement of the Orthodox Church and Soviet state organizations after 1943; but not fully resolved until the Soviet Union fell apart. Based on abundant archival documentation; Catriona Kelly’s powerful narrative portrays the human tragedies and compromises; but also the remarkable achievements; of those who fought to preserve these important buildings over the course of seven decades of state atheism. Socialist Churches will appeal to specialists; students; and general readers interested in church history; the history of architecture; and Russian art; history; and cultural studies.
#1741665 in Books University of Utah Press 2000-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .58 x 8.13 x 10.06l; #File Name: 0874806674200 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Excellent overview of modern kachina scholarshipBy S. J. SnyderPolly Schaafsma; an expert on Ancestral Puebloan rock art; edits 16 chapters that look at various aspects of the kachinas of the Puebloan world.This includes:1. Just what are kachinas?2. Whence did the kachina phenomenon come from/arise?3. What led to it landing on fertile soil in the late Ancestral Puebloan world?4. What was the relation in kachina development between western pueblos and Rio Grande pueblos?5. How did kachina worship/cult survive the Spanish missionary effort to wipe it out? Related to that; how much survived; and can we trace what changes happened?The intellectual level on some pieces may be fairly high; but I have to disagree with another person; you do not need to be an anthropology or archaeology grad student to get a welter of information out of this book.One should have a basic knowledge of Ancestral Puebloan history; but any reaonably informed "Southwest buff" probably is OK as a starting point.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An excellent resource for teachers and hobbyists alikeBy CustomerAs an avid student of Native American Folklore; as well as an amature anthropologist this book is often my "goto" resource for a quick check of details when helping friends and colegues identify various Kachinas they have either been given or haf found and purchesed during travels through the South Western United States. My only regret is that this volumn is not published in a hard back format; as I have worn out 2 copies already.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. For serious study only!By The WizardI gave it 5 stars for its' academic contentment. Very few photographs and most of those leave something to be desired. If you're aserious collector or student; researcher; or anthropologist; you'll love this book.
