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To: Sam Cree; magslinger
Well, I really don't agree, though I can't argue that there are some common characteristics between Marxism and religion.

From the Unabomber Manifesto:

218. Various thinkers have pointed out that leftism is a kind of religion. Leftism is not a religion in the strict sense because leftist doctrine does not postulate the existence of any supernatural being. But, for the leftist, leftism plays a psychological role much like that which religion plays for some people. The leftist NEEDS to believe in leftism; it plays a vital role in his psychological economy. His beliefs are not easily modified by logic or facts. He has a deep conviction that leftism is morally Right with a capital R, and that he has not only a right but a duty to impose leftist morality on everyone. (However, many of the people we are referring to as "leftists" do not think of themselves as leftists and would not describe their system of beliefs as leftism. We use the term "leftism" because we don't know of any better words to designate the spectrum of related creeds that includes the feminist, gay rights, political correctness, etc., movements, and because these movements have a strong affinity with the old left. See paragraphs 227-230.)

16 posted on 02/07/2004 11:36:28 AM PST by MegaSilver
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To: MegaSilver
I pretty much agree with the essay, leftism, or Marxism, supplants religion, and has many similarities and parallels, but is not, strictly speaking, a religion.
17 posted on 02/07/2004 11:43:25 AM PST by Sam Cree (Democrats are herd animals)
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To: MegaSilver
You're right! Indeed, leftism is not a religion. But leftism holds a morally relativistic worldview which is consistent with the belief system of secular humanism. Now, secular humanism has been declared a religion by the U.S. Supreme Court. Really and truly, a religion is a belief system by which one can transcend onself. But how does one transcend onself if he or she doesn't subscribe to values/morals which are universal and transcendent? Secular humanism only leads to self-fulfillment, or self-satisfaction. So, how can it really be a religion? It seems to me the Supreme Court decision is somewhat short-sighted, but it will suffice for this time in history so that we can say to secularists, "Don't impose your religion onto me!"
18 posted on 02/07/2004 4:41:37 PM PST by dsat4life (The Lord Reigns!!!)
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