Communism and religion have been hotly debated topics for as long as anyone can remember. Some say that communism, the idea of a classless society where property is publicly owned, is the perfect way to live. Others argue that religion, faith in a higher power, is the only way to find inner peace. But what if we told you that these two ideologies shared a lot more in common than you think? Here are the top 10 ways communism is like religion, and you won't believe #7!
1. Both ideologies have a founder Every religion has its founder: Jesus for Christianity, Muhammad for Islam, and Buddha for Buddhism. Similarly, communism has Karl Marx, the German philosopher whose ideas of a society where everyone is treated equally forms the foundation of communism.
2. Belivers of both are willing to die for their ideas Religious martyrs are revered for their sacrifices, and so are communist revolutionaries who are willing to die for their political beliefs. In both cases, people are willing to die for their faith.
3. Both use persuasion to gain followers Religion spreads by sharing its message, and communism does the same. Both use persuasion and declarations of righteousness to convince people of their beliefs.
4. Both offer hope for a better future Religion promises an afterlife in heaven, while communism promises a world without inequality. Both offer a vision of hope and a better future.
5. Both require sacrifice In religion, believers sacrifice time, money, and sometimes even their desires in pursuit of their faith. Similarly, communism requires the sacrifice of personal property in the pursuit of social equality.
6. Both use symbols to represent their beliefs Religious symbols are well known to people around the world, such as the Christian cross or the Islamic crescent. Similarly, communism has its own set of symbols, such as the hammer and sickle.
7. Both require faith in an unproven ideology One of the key similarities between communism and religion is that both require their believers to have faith in an unproven ideology. While communism relies on economic theory, religion is based on faith in a higher power. Both cannot be proven.
8. Both have sacred texts Every religion has its sacred text: the Bible for Christianity, the Quran for Islam, and the Torah for Judaism. Similarly, communism has the works of Marx and Lenin, which serve as the foundation of communist theory.
9. Both have their own rituals Religion has its rituals, such as taking the Eucharist in Christianity or praying towards Mecca in Islam. Similarly, communism has its own rituals, such as waving red banners or singing “The Internationale”.
10. Both seek to create a utopian society The ultimate goal of both communism and religion is to create a perfect society. Both seek to eliminate poverty, inequality, and suffering, and build a utopia where everyone is equal.
In the end, it seems that communism and religion share more in common than we would have thought. Both require an unwavering belief in an unproven ideology, both have a founder and sacred texts, and both require sacrifice from their believers. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, it's hard to deny the similarities between these seemingly different ideologies.