Irreligion in Lithuania

Irreligion in Lithuania pertains to

While Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union, state atheism was enforced and religion was suppressed from public life. While the accomplishments of freethought were looked upon positively under Soviet rule, freethought organizations were shut down in favor of Marxist–Leninist atheism. Many religious entities were dissolved and their property was nationalized. Žinija was established by the Communist Party in 1959 as a society to promote the Marxist worldview in Lithuania, with Marxist atheism taking a prominent role in its works. Alternatives to church service were created, such as public lectures. Christian rituals were also replaced with secular Soviet equivalents, including alternatives to marriage and religious fasting. The Lithuanian Soviet Republic Museum of Atheism was established in 1961, and the Centre of Scientific Atheism Research was established in 1982.^[1]

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Lithuania adopted a new constitution that guaranteed freedom of religion. However, certain religious groups are given preferential treatment by the state.^[2]

According to the 2021 census, only 6.11% of Lithuanians are irreligious, while an additional 13.67% did not specify a religious belief.^[3] In 2005, Eurobarometer found that 12% of Lithuanians do not believe in "any sort of spirit, god, or life force."^[4]

Atheists in Lithuania are still widely distrusted, with approximately 40% of Lithuanians believing that atheists should not be allowed to work as teachers or express their opinions through the media. 51% of Lithuanians oppose the right of atheists to hold public processions or share their literature in public. This discrimination may be attributed in part to the association of atheism with the oppressive Communist rule under the Soviet Union.^[5]

• Demographics of Lithuania
• Religion in Lithuania