Why communism?

[Spiritual Minded]

Most communists seem to be willing to step over dead bodies for the cause. Which makes me think what's the point of it all? If socialism is for unity, how are you gonna slaughter people in a eventual revolution? Hm... The reason I am (well, you could say Socialist) is because I believe in the Unity of Humanity. I want equality and be able to see my sister or brother in each and one of yall. If communists/socialists are non-materialists, then they must value other thing? Like what: God? Your relationship with other people? What's the meaning of life? This is just one thing I don't get. To be socialist and communist, must you not also be a humanist?

Peace

[James]

Hello, welcome to the board.

Well i'd like to say that most people here, will agree with you. We are mostly like you, none of us are authertarians, and believe in all that military shit (well except for a "few").

[James]

oh oh oh, and another thing. I've just read an essay by Orwell, its called "Notes on nationalism". It goes into how most people are so blind in their cause, that they are willinging to "change history" just to score a point, and make their cause (whatever that may be) seem superior. I dont' know if thats what you meant...But it is a problem in the left. Alot of people do seem to be blind, like alot of youngsters will refuse to admit any pro's of the US etc etc

[Spiritual Minded]

No, that wasn't what I meant, but it was interesting.
Oh and thanks for the welcome :-)

[man in the red suit]

Quote: from Spiritual Minded on 10:20 pm on Aug. 3, 2002
If communists/socialists are non-materialists, then they must value other thing? Like what: God?


communists ARE materialists.

and I would say that a communist must be a humanist.

Did I answer your question?

[James]

Oh and thanks for the welcome :-)

Its a pleasure.

[Ian]

A different type of materialist MITRS, Dialectical Materialists. I am not great at explainging this but I will give it a shot. During the 1830's there was a debate (Marx might call it a polemic, I'm unsure) between people who thought ideas were a seperate entity from the thinkers environment, idealists, and materialists like Hegel (and later Marx) who believed that Matter and the environment played the ONLY role in shaping a persons ideas (Which we know is pretty much true because the brain is matter and electrons are running through the brain moving ideas and thoughts around in your head).

I subscribe to the theory of Materialism, not just because I'm a communist, but because I believe a 'soul' does not exist, there is no evidence pointing towards a supposed 'mind' being independant of the brain, I mean just look at head injury patients they sometimes lose their 'mind' but according to idealists such as religious people they should still be exactly the same.

The type of Materialist you were thinking of MITRS was this type, but I think Spiritual Minded was talking about people who value possesions above all other things, I bet you know the type, I have friends whose only joy comes from shooting monsters on their brand-spanking-new playstation

Anyway that was my rant, hope I didnt bore you all too much
Marx "The Social being," The Environment a person is in "Determines the persons consciousness." Determines the persons ideas.

[man in the red suit]

Ian, you didn't need the explanation of the dialectical materialism. I'm perfectly familiar with it. But thanx anyway. that was just a misunderstanding on my part. Sorry spiritual.

[Nateddi]

yes, what ian said

materialism as philosophy, not materialism as consumerism.

[Spiritual Minded]

I meant materialism as consumerism.

[Spiritual Minded]

uppin