Final answer:
During the early Cold War, the Soviet Union targeted religion trying to suppress it, while Orthodox Christianity maintained a resilient presence among its populace. Marxism-Leninism itself functioned like a political religion. In the West, religion was more openly practiced, with faith traditions shaping attitudes toward communism, notably during events like Iran's Islamic Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Religious Commitment During the Early Cold War Years
During the early Cold War years, religion played a complex role in the ideological confrontation between the capitalist West and the communist East. In the Soviet Union, the government aimed to suppress religious activities and spread atheism as part of the state ideology. Despite this, religious traditions, particularly Orthodox Christianity, remained deeply rooted among the people. Fear of persecution led to the external suppression of religious expression in the USSR, yet internally, a nuanced interplay of belief and unbelief persisted, as explored by scholars like Stephen Kotkin.
In contrast, the United States and other Western countries were more open in their religiosity, often positioning their faith traditions against communist 'godlessness.' Yet, doubts remained on both sides about the actual threat that each ideology posed to the other. This atmosphere also influenced international developments, with religious dynamics contributing to political shifts, such as the rise of an Islamic government in Iran and the contentious relationship with the US-backed shah, shaking the geopolitical order.
Marxism-Leninism, though secular, took on many characteristics of a political religion. In times of severe national crisis, even the Soviet government, which generally promoted atheism, reverted to using religious symbolism, as evidenced during World War II when Stalin sought the support of the Church against the Nazi invasion.