Thomas Müntzer - Is he considered socialist?

[Maaja]

Recently I read little bit about this German reformator from the 16th century. His ideas seemed to be somewhat leftist. I wonder is he considered a pre-socialist or something like that. I have to admit that I don't know much about his, just some basic stuff and probably I am totally wrong but I still would love to know does anyone know something about that?

[peaccenicked]

It is the first I have heard of him, I ran a google search.
and found this fascinating little paragraph.
"This spiritual-political idea, latent in Marx, of a community of integral individuals who could lead society out of the crisis was increasing rationalize by the subsequent development of Marxist theory. (Incidentally, in the 16th century communism—during the period of Thomas Muntzer, for instance--was still spiritual.) It is part of our present dilemma that many intellectuals still think that reason alone can stop the apocalypse. IIA returns to the idea of an Invisible Church or an Invisible Community, rescuing the living aspect of spirit from its narrowing-down to a collection of disembodied, spiritually repressed, mental-egos or abstract talking heads. It is not a question of thinking less, but of holistic communication and holistic politics."
This holistic politics is very much the artistic direction I am taking. I believe it is already nascent in society as it has moved from religion to science as culture is the passing on of the wisdoms of old and its techniques.
We do it largely unconsciously, yet Shakespeare, and many of others, including Brecht, even Marx shape their works in this wider context.

[Maaja]

Thanks for the information!

[TheDerminator]

Not sure I go for the invisible community. The community seems invisible enough!

Still maybe I am not grasping the nuances or subtext or something like that. It wouldn't be the first time!

Still the holistic approach is correct, it is the Gramsci-Leninist approach, wherein U do not underestimate the role of culture in changing forms of consciousness.

Not sure this is what Muntzer had in mind.

May the Force be with U!

derminated