A Capitulation, Explanation, and Exhortation to my “critics”:
Ed, Jeff, and an anonymous commenter all took exception in my Post 4.5 “quick response” to Alan. I made the assertion that while we have seen “orthodox” Christianity commit sanctioned crimes against humanity (inquisition, genocide, murder, rape, child abuse, etc.) that we have not seen this from secular humanists, the scientific community, or Atheists.
They all pointed out the ghastly atrocities perpetrated by Stalin, Mao-Tse Tung, and Pol Pot....with an additional nod to the Dear Leader of North Korea. All of whom were/are Communists. One of the more reviled aspects of Communism (notably from it’s detractors, of which I am) is it’s embrace of Atheism.
Therefore, in their opinion, I am technically incorrect and possibly disingenuous to suggest that Atheism has not spawned an equivalent, if not greater degree of inhumanity to man than Christendom. That is fair. The manner in which I wrote that came of as flippant and snide. Though I fully embrace the role of Devils advocate here, I should be more careful in my assumptions of the reader. What I mean to say is far less important than what I do say. Please accept my apology for being oblique. More significantly, please allow my clarification.
I will humbly bear the criticism that Communism espouses Atheism as a tenet. Therefore, the acts of Communists can be construed as the acts of Atheists. And they indeed have slaughtered tens of millions, enslaved entire generations, and impeded the liberation of man with vicious efficiency. Communism is an enemy of mankind.
However, I find it to be self-evident that Communism is more of a religion than a political point of view. Why did Lenin see fit to take a few words from Marx’ “Communist Manifesto” (the oft misquoted “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.”-Please read this slowly and aloud. It can be interpreted in several ways, as was no doubt the intent of the author) and turn them into a mandate for the decimation of religion and the embrace of Atheism? Simple. So that he could become God.
Marxism, in and of itself without it’s still born offspring Communism, is a very complex and militant form of a great deal of the more humanistic teachings attributed to Christ. The division of labor and property, the communal aspect of living as “one body”, the lack of material ambition. All things exhibited in the synoptic Gospel accounts of how Jesus and the 12 actually lived. I mean no sacrilege here, but I challenge anyone to read Marx and not find at least some parallels. (And please do actually read it. Not regurgitate what others say about it).
Communism, a perversion of Marxism (which was with it’s own intrinsic fallacies far from perfect) became something more. Or less. No longer a collection of ideas, but a schism of beliefs. Just as Marx himself said, “I’m no Marxist”, decrying any efforts to install himself as a Prophet in the Cult of Personality, Lenin says this, “To rely upon conviction, devotion, and other excellent spiritual qualities; that is not to be taken seriously in politics.” Sorry Vlad, in intellectual pursuits, conviction and devotion are paramount.
In other words, Lenin and his acolytes (Mao, Pol Pot, Kim Jong, Castro, etc.) had no moral compass. Only the end goal. Whatever that might be from moment to moment.
It might, especially from a Christian perspective, be easy to derive from that thought that their lack of a moral compass was routed in their Atheism. I would offer caution here. Communism is a Faith. Complete with all the trappings of every other religion; Saints, Prophets, Holy Lands, Utopian futures, and the like. The “opium of the people” was quite well grasped by these Commie thugs. They knew that in removing one God from the public square that another must take his place. I mean to say their “Atheism” was rooted in their Communism. Not the other way around. ( One is tempted to explore the true genesis of the American Revolution, but one must not over reach....)
Therefore, when I call Atheists innocent of religious bloodshed, I stand by it. Communists are no more Atheists than Americans are Christian. Certainly the language and posture is invoked, but only for political reasons.
Finally, if an American evangelical Christians main point of contention with what I said is that, “Communists did it too!”... Well, I guess there’s not much else to say. Perhaps a better defense should be employed for the sins of our fathers?
I know this is long. But this stuff is obviously important to me and I deeply desire, as my brother Alan so often says, to be in “right relationship”. With my fellow man, with my own intellectual pursuits, and eventually, with the truth. I am not an Atheist for this very reason. I find it rather noxious when someone asserts that they KNOW there is no God.
I would be a fool to say such a thing. I’m fool enough already.
Jace
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