Is Communism a Religion?

[DeclinetoState]

From time to time, I have suggested in this forum that communism is a kind of religion. It has its god (or gods), indoctrination practices, jargon, etc. I'm not saying that it's a religion like Christianity (or Judaism or Islam, for that matter), but it has elements in common with other systems of thought and belief that are usually thought of as religions.

Would anyone else care to opine on this subject?

[Wolfcounsel]

Communism is the evaporated turd of the devil.

[ILikeIke]

From time to time, I have suggested in this forum that communism is a kind of religion. It has its god (or gods), indoctrination practices, jargon, etc. I'm not saying that it's a religion like Christianity (or Judaism or Islam, for that matter), but it has elements in common with other systems of thought and belief that are usually thought of as religions.

Would anyone else care to opine on this subject?

Perhaps the phrase you are looking for is "political cult?"
http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/faq/#3

That theory has been considered, I think. If the flow of information is controlled strictly enough through "censorship," perhaps certain models of "cultism" may apply to political organizations.

I don't know that much about communism though, so I don't have much of an opinion about whether it is a "cult."

Ann Coulter opined that it was, as I recall. Something like: "depite the fact that the most bloodthirsty cult of the last century was an atheistic political cult known as communism." That is just from memory, so, I may have misquoted her there.

Again, I don't know. I'm just pointing to some resources to which you might look if you would like to explore the question further.

[DeclinetoState]

If we were to determine it was a religious cult--or a cult of any kind--wouldn't the First Amendment, as interpreted by our good fiends--er, friends--at the ACLU require it not to be taught or discussed in schools?

Yes, I know that with the ACLU the only objectionable religion in school is Christianity. :(

[CzechPrince]

Communism is a crime, not a religion. It is what I like to call any form of socialism, "legalized theft."

[DeclinetoState]

Some religious cults are crimes. Remember Jim Jones (http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_jones.htm) (a self-proclaimed communist, IIRC)?

[Curtman]

There were allot of Christians in communist Russia though China is predominately atheist. I would say it is NOT a religion but rather a way of life. It is perceived as a idealist way of life to a childish culture. It cannot succeed without eventually enslaving those who are the most able bodied and mentally challenged. Therefore, the submissive girlymen of the workers party become slaves labor or court jesters.
No matter where it is started it always fails, the only reason it can last as long as it has in Asia is because the communication highway to the masses consisted of a string and two sardine cans, they couldn't even get that right. It will fail there also as capitalism continues to expand. We have more to worry about in South America as far as the propagation of communist culture. Oh, and of course we cannot rule out Canada and everything in between.

[someone036]

I think it depends on how someone would define religion. I don't really understand what you're saying though. Could you give examples or elaborate more on what you're talking about?

[DeclinetoState]

Curtman said: "I would say it is NOT a religion but rather a way of life."

How many times have I heard: "X is not a religion; it's a way of life"? Muslims say that about Islam, for example.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

Curtman said: "I would say it is NOT a religion but rather a way of life."

How many times have I heard: "X is not a religion; it's a way of life"? Muslims say that about Islam, for example.

:unsmile: Yeah, a lot of Christians say that, too. But communism is not a religion. Religion is the way one worships God. Both Christianity & Islam fit that definition. Communism does not.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I am not a learned scholar intellect, so I relied upon my hand-dandy, trusty dictionary program and found this:




<DIR>re•li•gion \ri-"li-j€n\ n

1 : the service and worship of God or the supernatural
2 : devotion to a religious faith
3 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious beliefs, attitudes, and practices
4 : a cause, principle, or belief held to with faith and ardor — re•li•gion•ist n

</DIR>(c)2000 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. All rights reserved.


It is my humble opinion #4 could most definitely apply to communism. But, like I said in another post, I have been wrong before ... once ... but I was suffering under the influence of anesthesia from a C-Section, so I don't count that time :D .

[DeclinetoState]

:unsmile: Yeah, a lot of Christians say that, too. But communism is not a religion. Religion is the way one worships God. Both Christianity & Islam fit that definition. Communism does not.

It is my understanding that Buddhists do not worship God (http://www.buddhistinformation.com/buddhist_attitude_to_god.htm). Is Buddhism thus not a religion?

[ConservativeYouthMovement]

Most communists support idolization and worshipping of their leader as if they were a deity. Seems to me like the answer, is yes.