File spoon-archives/aut-op-sy.archive/aut-op-sy_2001/aut-op-sy.0106, message 390


From: info <info-AT-j12.org>
Subject: AUT: Marxism a religion
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 08:50:34 +0100



Sharon wrote:


I think that there is an intriguing parallel between Marxism and religion
precisely at this point. The universalist claims of religion are 
conditioned
on humanity 'seeing the light' and 'accepting the truth'. Marxism is also
awaiting for humanity to 'see reality' and see the underlying causes of
history, and social relations, and come out from behind the lens of the
camera obscura. Neither accepts reality or the status quo or people's
consciousness as it is, both struggle to achieve a state of what ought to
be, both reject this world as it exists today, and often for the same 
reason
(crass materialism, alienation etc). Some religions want us to give up this
world and put all our hopes on the next world, various Marxist theories
demand that we not buy into this world, that we sacrifice our position in 
it
and possibly our lives for a better world to come, true, not up in heavan,
but here on earth. This would put Marxism closer to Judaism than
Christianity, in that Judaism also sees the Messianic Age as happening on
earth and not extraterrestrially.


The marxism you describe clearly has nothing to do with communism, but 
rather some relapse into obscurantism. Communism is not concerned with the 
realisation of some doctrine whether that of Dr Marx or any of his 
colleagues. Communism recognises that people's consciousness arises from 
their material conditions - including that of communists, who do not 
constitute some sort of intellectual elite who would be, as you correctly 
imply, merely another priesthood oppressing humanity. Communism is not 
about sacrificing our position in this world, but arises because so many 
people are aware that the pursuit of riches in a war of all against all is 
not the best way to live. As for a 'messianic age' I feel that this holds 
many dangers in its attempt to find some trancsendant moment rather than 
looking for what is immanent within ourselves and the society in which we 
live.

Fabian



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