Irreligion in Estonia

History

Modern irreligion in Estonia began during the Estonian national awakening in the 19th century, amid a period of anti-German sentiment. Lutheranism was the dominant religion in Estonia at the time, and Estonian intellectuals began to reject the religion due to its German associations. Anti-clericalism, freethought, socialism, Darwinism, and nationalism all contributed to atheist thought during this time. Journalists such as Juhan Lilienbach and Ado Grenzstein played a major role in spreading these ideas to the public.

As Estonia achieved independence in 1918, irreligion became relevant in the Estonian national identity. Separation of church and state was implemented, and the practice of religious education became the subject of debate. During the 1920s, marriage was secularized and placed under government control. Atheist thought was co-opted by Communist movements during the 1920s and 1930s in order to advance the cause of Marxism–Leninism. This association with Communism led to renewed distrust of irreligion as memories of the Red Terror's influence in Estonia still lingered. Following the Soviet occupation of Estonia, religion was largely eradicated from public life. State atheism was enforced, but it was of relatively low priority for the Communist government in Estonia, and religion was not a major issue during Soviet occupation. In contrast to Soviet atheism, anti-Communist atheists were also active at the time.

Since achieving independence from the Soviet Union, religion has not been prominent in Estonian life, and irreligion in Estonia has become passive in nature. However, religious education in Estonia continues to be a subject of debate. Courses on religion are currently optional in Estonian schools, and proponents of secularism oppose expanding religious education in fear that it would be dominated by Christian teachings.