Final answer:
The student's question refers to the atheist campaigns during Stalin's rule in the Soviet Union, with organizations such as the 'League of the Militant Godless' promoting atheism. Stalin's regime used propaganda that adapted religious symbolism and practices to inspire devotion to the state. However, during WWII, Stalin allowed some religious activities to boost morale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organization referred to in the question is associated with the widespread state-sponsored atheism during Stalin's rule in the Soviet Union. Although the question asks for an 'officially sponsored group of atheists,' the broader context is the Soviet state's use of propaganda and policy to spread atheism and counteract religious beliefs. During Stalin's time, the state carried out extensive anti-religious campaigns and used various means, including propagandistic art and education, to promote Marxism-Leninism as a form of political religion, replacing traditional religious practices with Soviet ideals.
Specifically, organizations such as the 'League of the Militant Godless' were created to promote atheism; however, this specific group isn't mentioned in the provided references. Instead, the references highlight how Stalin's regime manipulated the visual language and symbolism of the Russian Orthodox Church in propaganda materials to inspire a quasi-religious reverence for the state and its leader.
It's important to note that during the Second World War, there was a tactical shift in policy as Stalin temporarily eased the persecution of the Church in an effort to rally the populace against the German invasion. Nevertheless, the regime's long-term goal remained the establishment of a secular, atheist state that replaced religious institutions with Communist ideology.