[Angus]

Originally Posted by Niall

I understand what you are saying but I don't really think labelling it a secular religion is correct. Hardcore Communists think religion should be totally abolished.

Also, I don't think that politics is always influenced by religion. The increasingly secular attitudes of many world governments today shows that the state can remain totally secular and not use religion as a guideline for the laws they create. Some countries may choose to incorporate it though however like Islamic nations which you mentioned.

And the idea that Communism seeks to crush and oppress isn't what the theory of Communism is about at all. The ideal Communist state would have everyone on a equal levels for jobs, homes, facilities etc. People wouldn't be denied access to things just because they don't have enough money etc nor does it seek to repress diversity and difference either, the Soviet Union effectively legalised Homosexuality in the 1920s in the RSFR. Although Stalin did repress it again later on.

I'm not a Communist but I do understand the real vision of Communism and how it was meant to be.

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.