Khandro, it's not me being dim. I'll try to take you through it step by step, as a paragraph of English seems to be confusing for you.
1. Communism was imposed upon the populace of Russia. They had no choice in this, therefore it cannot be said to be a substitute for anything. Do you seriously believe that Communism completely quashed religious belief in Russia?
2. Because of the above, your OP (which made limited sense in the first instance), when applied to a communist state, becomes meaningless. Do you think that Russians are allowed to openly voice their opinions on Diversity, LGB rights, Black lives Matter, Global Warming, Veganism etc?
3. I think you have it completely the wrong way round about religion (hence my first post). Without it's doctrines and false morality, people are free to express their feelings about other aspects of life (however much you disagree with them!).
I hope that's a little clearer.