Religion and the State in Russia and China explores the religious nature of man through the cases of forced secularization in the Soviet Union and China. The book provides an in-depth account of the failure and successes of both countries' secularization policies. Starting with the theological innovations that led to atheistic theorizing, it then looks at the policies that were implemented to speed up the suppression of religious beliefs and what ultimately led to today's resurgence of religion. Russia and China are ideal cases for a comparative study as both experimented with the idea of era.

Introduction: From forced secularization to desecularization -- The theological roots of militant atheism -- Evicting God : forced secularization in the Soviet Union -- Faith in defiance : the persistence of religion under scientific atheism -- Russia's religious renaissance -- China's third opium war : the CCP's struggle with religion -- Keeping the faith : the persistence of religious life in Communist China -- From religious anesthesia to Jesus fever -- Conclusion: Man, the state, and God.