Re-write "Communist Manifesto"?

[marxengels2012]

As primarily a socialist of the anti-theist type, I believe that "the criticism of religion is the prerequisite for all criticism." Should a new, simple form of the "Communist Manifesto" be written to see that scientific socialism is presented to the workers of the world emphasizing the critique of religion(s), and distributed widely? I am not advocating that the original document by the Founders is obsolete, only that we need a new atheistic front in the war on religion(s).

[Jack]

Have fun alienating people.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Have fun alienating people.

Telling people that they're not free can be pretty alienating. It doesn't detract from the truthfulness of the statement however.

Nevertheless, I don't think a rewrite of the Communist Manifesto is necessary. I think producing original material based on tried and true arguments would be a better idea.

[Radical]

Telling people that they're not free can be pretty alienating. It doesn't detract from the truthfulness of the statement however.

Nevertheless, I don't think a rewrite of the Communist Manifesto is necessary. I think producing original material based on tried and true arguments would be a better idea.

Yeah I agree.

[marxengels2012]

Actually, I, too, agree! We don't need to re-write the Founders' works. We need to develop new material to show the workers the useless nature of religion.

[Blackscare]

Dissolving religion will be a much longer struggle than dissolving capitalism, IMO. At this point, positioning ourselves as first and foremost an anti-theist force will scare off a ton of people who would otherwise support us. We simply aren't in the position of credibility that we'd need to make much headway in that regard, and while we were attempting to we'd be alienating tons of workers.

If we waste time taking people to task over religion now, while we're not even a major force, we can be sure revolution will be set back a great many years.

[LeninBalls]

Capitalism is a much bigger threat than religion, anyways.

[Jimmie Higgins]

Capitalism is a much bigger threat than religion, anyways.

Moreover, people turn to religion because of the conditions of capitalism, so trying to convince people to turn away from religion in capitalism is like trying to drain a sinking boat before the hole has been repaired.

You can reason with a religious person all you want, but they will still believe in Jesus or ghosts or all-seeing gold rabbits if this belief helps them get through the day and make sense of a craaaaaaaaazy world where evil people get rich and good hard working people suffer.

If, on the other hand, people feel like they have power over their own lives, why get on your knees and pray to an invisible man to make things better if you can go out and make the change yourself.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Moreover, people turn to religion because of the conditions of capitalism, so trying to convince people to turn away from religion in capitalism is like trying to drain a sinking boat before the hole has been repaired.

Somehow I don't think so. People were more religious before capitalism.


You can reason with a religious person all you want, but they will still believe in Jesus or ghosts or all-seeing gold rabbits if this belief helps them get through the day and make sense of a craaaaaaaaazy world where evil people get rich and good hard working people suffer. If that was true, then there would be no atheists. Yet strangely, people do abandon their religion and become atheists. The number of atheists grows by the decade.


If, on the other hand, people feel like they have power over their own lives, why get on your knees and pray to an invisible man to make things better if you can go out and make the change yourself.But isn't exactly the opposite of what religion encourages? "God has a Divine Plan" and all that.

[Lynx]

If you believe advocating atheism is more productive than advocating direct democracy or communism, go for it!

[Random Precision]

Somehow I don't think so. People were more religious before capitalism.

Before capitalism there was another a class society. Humans proposed and God disposed, as Engels put it.


If that was true, then there would be no atheists. Yet strangely, people do abandon their religion and become atheists. The number of atheists grows by the decade.

Applying a class analysis mechanically just makes you and Marx look incompetent.


But isn't exactly the opposite of what religion encourages? "God has a Divine Plan" and all that.

Maybe you need to read Gravedigger's post again. He was saying that the actual fight against a class-based society will make people feel empowered themselves, so they begin not to need a God to guide them through life and give them a joyful afterlife in exchange for their life on Earth.

[Nulono]

If, on the other hand, people feel like they have power over their own lives, why get on your knees and pray to an invisible man to make things better if you can go out and make the change yourself.

Because talking to yourself is easier.


If that was true, then there would be no atheists. Yet strangely, people do abandon their religion and become atheists. The number of atheists grows by the decade.

Yes, but that happens through internal change, not external pressure.

[Vincent P.]

As primarily a socialist of the anti-theist type, I believe that "the criticism of religion is the prerequisite for all criticism." Should a new, simple form of the "Communist Manifesto" be written to see that scientific socialism is presented to the workers of the world emphasizing the critique of religion(s), and distributed widely? I am not advocating that the original document by the Founders is obsolete, only that we need a new atheistic front in the war on religion(s).
Re-writing the communist manifesto? Jeez yes. A new context and new capitalism needs a new enemy.

Putting an anti-theistic tone in it? Really, really shitty bad idea. By doing so in a country such as in America, you'll put 8/10 of the potential communists off after the first chapter. They won't see it as a legitimate "socialism vs communism" fight, but as a satanic "communism vs faith" thing.
Look at the evolution thing: as soon as religious people feel their faith is oppressed, they are blind and deaf to everything and will find some bible quote to "prove" how communism is the antichrist. Don't act like Germany and stick to one enemy at the time.

And let's go even further: promote christian communism. With 45% of the american believing in young earth creationism, it would be damnfuckingeasy to have them swallow the few very clear and straight-foreward Bible verset who sounds like communism. Once communism is achieved, either Marx is right and religion will vanish, or else do what you want to eradicate it.

But in any case don't declare them holy war, because cappies will be happy to back them.