That reactionary ideas thrive in times of reactionary hegemony is obvious. Historical materialism requires that we look first to material conditions to explain the root causes of historical change. If Christianity existed in Russia before, during, and after the Soviet Union, it doesn’t follow that the current social conditions in Russia can be explained by Christianity becoming a more powerful idea at an arbitrary time, forcing an otherwise progressive society to reaction.

[–] PolandIsAStateOfMind@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 year ago

If Christianity existed in Russia before, during, and after the Soviet Union, it doesn’t follow that the current social conditions in Russia can be explained by Christianity becoming a more powerful idea at an arbitrary time, forcing an otherwise progressive society to reaction.

Definitely not entirely, but don't reduce it to just consequence, it's undialectical.