communism as religion.

[Pierson's]

this is merely a thought experiement, and is not intended to be a serious suggestion. i fully understand that religion and materialism can't mix.

looking at the success of religions such as the bahai, buddhism in non-traditionally buddhist areas (i.e. the "west"), and other fringe religions, what do you think about the idea of 'creating' a 'relgiion' that promotes communism?

a prophit that promoted the ideas of living freely, and sharing goods, and opposing capitalism. throw in some ideas of science and heaven on earth.

and, ta da, a fresh new religion that can attarct people to revolutionary (apocalyptic) politiics.

of course, i guess it would only work for certain kinds of people (who would likely be religious anyway), but still.

(again, totaly not serious)

[Jimmie Higgins]

this is merely a thought experiement, and is not intended to be a serious suggestion. i fully understand that religion and materialism can't mix.

looking at the success of religions such as the bahai, buddhism in non-traditionally buddhist areas (i.e. the "west"), and other fringe religions, what do you think about the idea of 'creating' a 'relgiion' that promotes communism?

a prophit that promoted the ideas of living freely, and sharing goods, and opposing capitalism. throw in some ideas of science and heaven on earth.

and, ta da, a fresh new religion that can attarct people to revolutionary (apocalyptic) politiics.

of course, i guess it would only work for certain kinds of people (who would likely be religious anyway), but still.

(again, totaly not serious)

This plan would work if you want a bunch of followers dumb enough to follow a belief you yourself don't even believe. It would not be a good plan for promoting working class and revolutionary consciousness or organizing for the self-emancipation of the working class.

As far as left-politics being promoted through religion: this actually does exist from the Catholic Worker's organization to revolutionary theologies to the horrors of Jim Jones.

[Klaatu]

The Catholics and Buddhists are centuries ahead of you. Monks in a monestery are the best example of Communism there is.
Think of Communism as "community," the concept from which the term came from in the first place.

[RGacky3]

Your batshit insane plain and simple, this is probably the third thread you started where I thought this, but now I gotta say it, your a clown.

[BurnTheOliveTree]

Religion entails some kind of infallibility, usually. We aren't infallible. Also, I think Marx was right:


The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is, therefore, in embryo, the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo.

So to indulge in false religious consolation, even if it is pseudo-progressive, isn't productive because it obscures the material reality; we're being exploited and we need to do something about it.

-Alex