Is a communist state necessarily an atheist society?

Question

Is a communist state necessarily an atheist society?

Answer 1

Just my weird personal opinion but I would say NO.

Why?  Well reading Marx - the original Karl Marx there seems to be a strong correllation to certain Christian values... (for example - I can't speak on behalf of the other religions.)

Sit down everyone!!! Hear me out please!!!

When Jesus tells us "give up everything and follow me" and points out that it is easier to "thread a needle with a camel than for a rich man to enter heaven" he decries the accumulation and dependence on wealth.  What we "earn" or accumulate - the material possesions we collect do not define us, rather the way in which we live our lives and the "work" we perform - our contribution is what matters.

Christ had an obvious dislike for merchant activity involved in the church and saw what the church of his time had become: corrupted by the pursuit of wealth.

Marxism tells us much the same.  Many modern "capitalist" corporations hoard wealth and subjugate the work force - they treat human beings like numbers - chattel, commodoties and this is really a violation of Christian principles and common decency - and yet it is prevalent even today is it not?

No, the experiments failed in the USSR, perhaps BECAUSE the foundation was secular - but we have to consider that then and even today - how religion was used to make a few people powerful and the rest of the folks "opiated" and no more than cattle.

Perhaps one day a community that holds true respect for each other and embodies truly religious precepts will attempt a "proletatarian revolution" again... but this time founded on a guiding principle of respect, love and peace.

Who knows?

Answer 2

Yes, because Marx and other communist/socialist thinkers see religion as the "opiate of the masses" or the ultimate form of oppression over the people.  They see religion as the classic example of those in power forcing their views on others and using their power to manipulate society and law.