Organized Religion = Communism

[jeffrey]

Are you confusing totalitarianism with communism?

Nope....

 

[c0da]

Hmm.. well communism isn't meant to restrict your freedom of thought, it is meant to make all equal, whereas totalitarianism does restrict your freedom of thought if it benefits the state/government.

 

[Popeyesays]

But you're not choosing the rules. Someone else is for you.

On the contrary. When I became a Baha`i I volunteered to obey Baha`i law. If I ever decide I cannot obey Baha`i law, I can voluntarily leave.

How is that any kind of bondage?

Regards,
Scott

 

[jeffrey]

Hmm.. well communism isn't meant to restrict your freedom of thought, it is meant to make all equal, whereas totalitarianism does restrict your freedom of thought if it benefits the state/government.

Once again, please understand what I'm talking about as applied, not on paper.

 

[Aqualung]

Seems to me that some religions are very similar to communism. You must believe what you are told to believe, do what you are told to do, pay what they tell you to pay, and if you don't, you're... well you might not get thrown in jail, but they kick you out. You're not allowed to have a mind of your own. You might think you do, but you're told what to believe.

I've never known of a religion like that. Could you be a bit more specific?

 

[Aqualung]

Are you confusing totalitarianism with communism?

Yes, yes he is. But let's just run with it.

 

[Aqualung]

Once again, please understand what I'm talking about as applied, not on paper.

"Applied" communism is totalitarianism, not communism.

 

[jewscout]

"Applied" communism is totalitarianism, not communism.

so is applied Fascism and that's on the other side of the political spectrum...

yes i think there is a confusion here between Totalitarianism and Communism

Main Entry: to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism http://javascript<b></b>:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?totali04.wav=totalitarianism')
Pronunciation: (")tO-"ta-l&-'ter-E-&-"ni-z&m
Function: noun
1 : centralized control by an autocratic authority
2 : the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

Main Entry: com·mu·nism http://javascript<b></b>:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?commun24.wav=communism')
Pronunciation: 'käm-y&-"ni-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: French communisme, from commun common
1 a : a theory advocating elimination of private property b : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2 capitalized a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R. b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably d : communist systems collectively

any organizing system, whether religious or otherwise, can be used or viewed as a totalitarian system.
But it is not exclusive to organized religion.

 

[jeffrey]

Nicely stated, jewscout, frubals to you.

 

[michel]

Why is that? Communism is a great idea, but it takes away you, as a person. Everybody is supposed to be equal, but it never works out that way.

The same applies to all forms of politics. In theory they are all ideal, apply them to a nation, where the power is devolved by people who are politicians as a job (no longer a vocation), and the result is mayhem.

You could also say exactly the same thing about Religion being like a dictatorship. Do as I say, no thinking of your own allowed. Except that, of course, as far as religions are concerned, one can 'opt out' (I am an 'opter' out), but I guess what is lost by opting out is the cameraderie of like minded people.

 

[jeffrey]

Yes, yes he is. But let's just run with it.

Once again, you are only comprehending the parts of the posts you wish to. Try reading and understanding the whole concept of the post before coming across as... well... we all know.

 

[jeffrey]

I like that too, Michel, and I totally agree. Got to pass out more karma 1st.

 

[nutshell]

It seems that by your definition of communism a whole lot of organizations would be considered communist, not just religions.

 

[jeffrey]

It seems that by your definition of communism a whole lot of organizations would be considered communist, not just religions.

So what do you perceive my definition of communism to be?

 

[Squirt]

Seems to me that some religions are very similar to communism. You must believe what you are told to believe, do what you are told to do, pay what they tell you to pay, and if you don't, you're... well you might not get thrown in jail, but they kick you out. You're not allowed to have a mind of your own. You might think you do, but you're told what to believe.

Well, I guess it all gets down to whether you believe that the beliefs, rules, consequences, etc. are man's or God's. That would make all the difference in the world to me in terms of whether I would feel as if I could, or would even want to, comply.

 

[jeffrey]

Squirt, what I'm getting at is that some religions tend to tell you what to believe, and you are not allowed to have individual ideas different from the church. For instance, Harry Potter. Some churches will tell you what to believe, but if you disagree, you can be shunned or asked to leave. You're not expected to question church policy.

 

[Quiddity]

Squirt, what I'm getting at is that some religions tend to tell you what to believe, and you are not allowed to have individual ideas different from the church. For instance, Harry Potter. Some churches will tell you what to believe, but if you disagree, you can be shunned or asked to leave. You're not expected to question church policy.

That's true. Questioning is ok in as far as I can see. But the question is what happens after the questioning has been exhausted and you still disagree? Why would anyone want to stay?

 

[jeffrey]

That's true. Questioning is ok in as far as I can see. But the question is what happens after the questioning has been exhausted and you still disagree? Why would anyone want to stay?

I agree. But some religions do not want you to question. They expect you to believe what they tell you to believe.

 

[Aqualung]

Once again, you are only comprehending the parts of the posts you wish to. Try reading and understanding the whole concept of the post before coming across as... well... we all know.

No jeffrey, I don't know. What is it? What do I come across as?

 

[maya1]

Jeff, actually I agree with you I'm 37 years old and every church I have been to rejects a certain level of questioning particularly authority figures in the church. I have found it very difficult to have a reasonable open debate on any topic that goes against the primary theology of the church. I have learned that I don't go to church to have a deep understand of my faith I go there to meet with my friends and family.