An eloquent and scholarly analysis of the common ground that both Christianity and Communism stand on. The existence of numerous parallels suggests that there may be a common organizing principle underlying both ideologies. Is this altruism? The near-universal acceptance of altruism as a fundamental moral principle remains a puzzle to me.
Context on the "opium of the masses" line: many people took opium for medicinal purposes in the 1840s, including Marx (it was also known as Laudenaum). Marx chided anarchists like Bakunin for making atheism a cornerstone of their politics.
Yes. Saying that religion was the opium of the masses was a clever comment. Because opium provided short term, but not long term, relief. As, according to Marx, did religion. But, as we may infer from this essay, Marx's approach was, in fact, itself rather more akin to religion than he might have cared to admit.
Once again, an excellent essay, Brad! I look forward to the colorful comments that will follow!
Keep it coming!👍 👍
An eloquent and scholarly analysis of the common ground that both Christianity and Communism stand on. The existence of numerous parallels suggests that there may be a common organizing principle underlying both ideologies. Is this altruism? The near-universal acceptance of altruism as a fundamental moral principle remains a puzzle to me.
Context on the "opium of the masses" line: many people took opium for medicinal purposes in the 1840s, including Marx (it was also known as Laudenaum). Marx chided anarchists like Bakunin for making atheism a cornerstone of their politics.
Yes. Saying that religion was the opium of the masses was a clever comment. Because opium provided short term, but not long term, relief. As, according to Marx, did religion. But, as we may infer from this essay, Marx's approach was, in fact, itself rather more akin to religion than he might have cared to admit.