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  • Time to bang my old drum again.

    Marxism-Leninism is specifically based on dialectic materialism. A philosophy that very clearly postulates the material basis of the mind and everything to do with it. People often harp on USSR's anti-church policies, but frankly they didn't go far enough. You either believe in fairies, or you utilise the scientific method and recognise the materialist basis of reality, history, culture and human "spirit"

    • Although I agree with you about eschewing religious faith on a personal level, the reality is that a large part of the global population clings strongly to some type of theology. Going so far as to outlaw religious practice or dismantle religious institutions has historically led to the alienation of people who value religious beliefs. Plenty of people have managed to live with faith and act as positive members of our communities. The problems arise when power incentives exist for their leaders.

      How religious institutions and their leaders act within and influence our systems is the main source of the problems with religion, not religious faith. Rather than trying to suppress religious practice, a better approach would be to effectively strip these institutions of their power while giving them the means to continue operating solely for religious practice and as community hubs, which is one of their main practical benefits to society.

      Should they be collecting tithes, enriching religious leaders, or participating at any level as political institutions outside of combatting real persecution? No. I definitely agree with banning this. But if you give them the means to maintain their places of worship and otherwise eliminate any profit incentives, I expect these institutions as we know them would "wither away" and naturally continue acting as smaller corners of the community that will become more focused on making a positive impact and providing mutual aid.

      I'm curious about your thoughts on this? I used to hold similar beliefs to what you wrote here, but I have shifted away from my anti-religious views as I've learned more ML theory. It's not that I've gained faith or anything, but moreso that I think the problems I see with religion mainly stem from the influences of the institutions operating within feudalism and capitalism.

      • I think stricter requirements should be placed on party members than on the general population. Party members must have a dialectical materialist world outlook, so they should not openly associate with any religion. I also think the socialist state should promote a scientific education that helps the next generation not become mired in the same superstitions as the previous. But in general only those forms of religious activity which are socially harmful or a hindrance to socialist construction should be actively suppressed by the state. Everything else can be left alone. Religious institutions should of course be subordinated to the dictatorship of the proletariat so that they cannot establish themselves in certain communities as alternative governments with their own laws, taxation, etc.

      • It seems that we operate from the same basis, however we have arrived at different conclusions. I'll try to be constructive.

        the reality is that a large part of the global population clings strongly to some type of theology.

        That is a deprecation imposed on the people by the current class system. Not necessarily consciously, but certainly in order to maintain power of the bourgeoisie. Realistically, what is the difference between religion and, say, liberalism? Especially the more esoteric branches, like libertarianism or "objectivism". They are ideologies, based on idealist philosophy, that serve to explain why the exploitation and social stratification are either good or inescapable. Why bother struggling to overcome the capitalist domination when there's a kingdom of heaven waiting beyond the mortal coil? Why bother analysing class contradictions, when the Lord says be kind and have faith, for His ways are unknowable? I'm using vaguely Christian terminology here on purpose. It is our duty as communists to shed away the blinds, be they pseudo-atheist liberalism or religion.

        Rather than trying to suppress religious practice, a better approach would be to effectively strip these institutions of their power while giving them the means to continue operating solely for religious practice and as community hubs, which is one of their main practical benefits to society.

        Funnily enough, that's what USSR did. I'm sure you've heard the endless whining about "godless Bolsheviks slaughtering poor innocent monks boo hoo". However: it was the Soviets that have reinstated the position of patriarch of the Russian orthodox church. That's right, godless commies have returned the position of the head of the biggest religion in former empire. You see, before that, church was controlled by the Synod - which was a government body. Soviet leadership has introduced the separation of church and state, so the church received its own leadership. In fact, the patriarch has endorsed the Revolution and deposing of Nicholas 2, proclaiming it to be the will of the people.

        But. Where did it lead? Oh that's right, the moment the church smelled a weakness in the socialist state, it pounced and began shitting up people's minds. Not only did it not wither away, it was one of the core vectors of anti-communism after USSR collapsed. 1996, the corpse of the Union was still warm, and the church was already installing "memorials to victims of repression" near Ekaterinburg. I'm sure you've seen the photos, looks like a weeping mask.

        And now? Now the church is a big proponent of reaction. Shitting up school programs. Opening memorials in honour of monarchy, that go out of their way to paint USSR with as black of a paint as possible, with emotional manipulation galore. "Documentaries" on ebil commies in Solovki? Church endorsed. Petitioning police to launch an investigation into the "murder" of the royal family, to check if it was a "Jewish ritual"? Church endorsed. Generally professing to the masses a plethora of anti-scientific, anti-materialist crap? That's basically their main job.

        Now, I don't disagree that these issues stem from the political and economic basis of society (feudalism and capitalism), but that's the thing - religion is perpetuated by these systems because it serves to strengthen and justify them. You can't "cleanse religion from capitalist influence", because it is inherent in the core philosophy. Jan Hus tried. See how that went.

        Now you might say that everything I've said applies mostly to the big, established, organised religions, not faith on a personal level. But why won't it? Why would "neopaganism" be somehow different from Protestantism, from Islam? If you believe in magic, even on a personal level, then these beliefs will inevitably clash with the materialism required from developed ML theory. And if you see religious groups as a pathway to belonging, to being part of a community - then keep in mind, that such communities will be thr vectors from which reaction spreads - because they will be more important to their members than class organisation, than socialist organisation.

        Call me a class reductionist, call me a positivist, I don't care. We've been too lenient on anti-scientific rubbish for too long

    • I don't like being explicitly antitheist because many people haven't dealt with their internal contradictions and being obnoxious about it can push them away from marxism, but yes you are right.

      Dialectical materialism and religion are mutually exclusive, the laws of the world are knowable and whatever we don't know we eventually will, filling the gaps with religion is simply un-materialistic.

  • Most left-wing people who find themselves incompatible with whatever religion they were raised as just become atheists. To become a pagan, you would need that incompatibility but also have a need for spirituality, and you would need to find a pagan tradition you could take more seriously than some other established religious tradition, and you would need to feel that you weren't appropriating that tradition.

  • I'm native. Not Christian. That makes me pagan by default (I'm actually atheist, but respect my ancestors and what's left of my culture). My dad had a proper Indian funeral. I'm here. I'm honestly not sure what the right gets out of appropriating it. They don't respect nature. They seem intent on killing the world. That is the antithesis of our primary beliefs.

    • Paganism is used to describe Pre-Christian European religions. Many of which were destroyed by the various crusades in Europe.

      • I had to look it up. Looks like you're right. I've always thought that pagan referred to most of the non abrahamic religions. But I guess it's just for the white ones.

    • I am fairly certain when they say Paganism they were talking specifically about European paganism, such as in old Norse and German culture.

      • I was thinking of the moron in the buffalo skin in the capitol riots. I've also met some charming individuals in real life who do similar things.

  • a lot of westerners love their vikings, cuz warrior culture, raiding and pillaging etc. etc. nonsense.

    doesnt help that nazis loved the symbols.

    fun fact though, there are no nazis in valhalla

    Might I suggest our Lady and Protector Inanna? Sumerians had the right idea.

  • They don't.

    My first experience of paganism was from a youth director who practiced Wicca in addition to Christianity, and also taught us about the Gnostic Gospels. My second experience of paganism was from a black girl who was a cosplayer, a hardcore Whovian, and had major ADHD. The local pagan group is remarkably progressive.

    Most pagans in the West are left-leaning, I'd say. It's just an insufferable small minority that are reactionary.

  • I think what OP means is that right wingers have infiltrated the “trad” spaces of people who wish to frolic in wheat fields, pray to druids, bake bread for their family, wear sundresses, and be a stay at home parent to care for many children.

    All of those things are perfectly fine, but the aesthetics have been infiltrated and corrupted by Nazis and right wingers.

  • There will be no progress until the last temple will be converted to a library or lecture hall.

  • I've had this thought it my head to get into neo roman paganism and put a shrine to Minerva in my living room, but idk if I would actually follow through with it or just pile pizza boxes on top of it.

    edit: on second thought maybe I'll skip the shrine and just put in an impluvium

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