a presence but not an influence

Solzhenitsyn on how the Russian authorities handle the church:

"No one stops them from ringing their bells; they can break communion bread anyway they please. They can have their processions with the cross. But they will in no way allow them to have any connection with social or civic affairs."

~ The First Circle, Alexander Solzhenitsyn

"The church was allowed to go through the motions; it could have a presence, but it dare not have an influence."

~ commentator unknown