[Niall]

Originally Posted by angus58

Nowhere did I say that Politics is always influenced by Religion - what I said was that when Political ideology and Religion combine, it is a force to be reckoned with, as with Islam. I also labelled Communism as a secular "religion" to make the point that it is just another belief system albeit without a theistic dimension. As I said before hardcore communists have no chance in hell of ever abolishing religion - the most they could ever do is abolish the overt worship and practice of religion. Short of totally brainwashing people into a zombie like state, no-one has the power to abolish individual thoughts and beliefs.

Communism as a theoretical concept is seductive and beguiling, and I would love to think it could ever work in practice, but unfortunately it has been proven NOT to work because it doesn't factor in the human element of greed, corruption, and selfishness. The Communist leaders in the Soviet grew ever more corrupt, ensuring they had luxurious homes and champagne lifestyles, whilst the bulk of the population were in a permanent state of bare existence, with no prospect of being able to aspire to a better lifestyle because it was not allowed.

The only way that communism could ever work is if every single human being bought into it to the concept to the same degree - but there will always be those that want to exploit, bully, and cheat others and grab more for themselves.

*Agrees*