An unparalleled administrative measure was effected by the authorities in Soviet Russia in connection with their determination to exterminate religious belief in Russia, according to information received here today.
A census was taken with particular emphasis on the question whether the individual was a believer or a non-believer. The data obtained by the census are being used as a basis for persecution of those who stated that they were religious. Heavy taxes are imposed on the believers, while those who registered as non-believers are exempt.
Particular victims of the new anti-religious campaign are the clergy and those connected with the church. Many rabbis who left their towns to avoid the payment of the religious tax were compelled to return and effect payment.
The Jewish Communists have gone further in their anti-religious campaign and have effected the compulsory closing of Jewish houses of worship. Synagogues were closed in the towns of Snowsk, district of Tschernigow, and in Reschitza, district of Homel.
The children of those who registered as believers are being excluded from the schools.
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