,COMMUNISM & ,RELIGION 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ANTON ,PANNEKOEK 

,TEXT 3 

,PUBLI%$3 ,9T]NATIONAL ,C\NCIL ,CORRESPOND5CE1 VOL4 #b1 NO4 #f4 ,MAY #a#i#c#f4 ,ORIG9ALLY APPE>$ 9 ,DUT* AS 0,COMMUNISME 5 GODSDI5/0 9  ,P]SDI5/ VAN DE GROEP VAN ,9T]NATIONALE ,COMMUNI/5 9 ,APRIL #a#i#c#f4 ,! >TICLE WAS PUBLI%$ )\T ATTRIBUTION1 BUT ,PANNEKOEK'S P]SONAL NOTES MAKE ! AU?OR%IP CLE>4 ,= MORE 9=MATION SEE ! ,ASSOCIATION ,>*IVES ,ANTONIE ,PANNEKOEK4 
,NOTE3 ,! ORIG9AL TEXT CONTA9S 9CONSI/5T CAPITALIZATION & ]RONE\S OR UNUSUAL SPELL+S4 ,IT HAS BE5 NOT$ ?AT 0,PANNEKOEK /RONGLY OBJECT$ TO CORRECTION ( HIS SOME:AT PECULI> ,5GLI%40 
,TRANSCRIPTION_/,M>KUP3 ,MICAH ,MU]1 #b#a#g4 

,I4 

,! FI]CE /RUGGLE :I* ,BOL%EVISM HAS WAG$ & IS /ILL WAG+ AGA9/ 
RELIGION 9 ,RUSSIA IS P>TICUL>LY WELL ADAPT$ TO ?R[ LI<T ON ! ESS5CE ( 
! RUSSIAN REVOLUTION4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKS >E CONDUCT+ ?IS /RUGGLE 9 ! NAME 
( ,M>XISM1 JU/ AS ALL ! RE/ ( !IR POLICY IS PUT ?R\<4 ,!Y 9VOKE 9 
?IS CONNECTION ! M>XIAN DICTUM :I* /&S 5GRAV$ AS A MOTTO ON ! 
FACADE ( ! ,MOSC[ COMMUNITY C5T]3 ?AT RELIGION IS ! OPIUM ( ! PEOPLE4 
,AT ! TIME :5 ! Y\?FUL ,M>X WROTE ?AT1 9 HIS 0,CRITIQUE ( ,HEGEL'S 
,PHILOSOPHY ( ,LAW0 7#a#h#d#c71 HIS [N /RUGGLE HAD PO9TS ( SIMIL>ITY ) ! 
LAT] /RUGGLE ( ,BOL%EVISM 9 ,RUSSIA4 ,HE /OOD1 ?AT IS1 AS ! MO/ ADVANC$ 
AMONG ! ,Y\NG ,HEGELIANS1 =EMO/ 9 ! /RUGGLE = CIVIL LIB]TY AGA9/ 
FEUDAL ABSOLUTISM 9 ,PRUSSIA4 ,! B\RGEOISIE WAS /ILL )\T POLITICAL P[] 
BUT WAS COM+ UP2 PUBLIC LIFE WAS H>ASS$ BY >BITR>Y ACTION ( ! POLICE1 
9TELLECTUAL LIFE BY ! C5SOR%IP1 & ! BE/ M9DS W]E LIV+ ABROAD4 
,N>R[-M9D$ PR9CES W]E US+ RELIGION AS JU/IFICATION ( !IR RI<T TO 
SUPPRESS ALL LIB]TY4 ,!RE=E1 ACCORD+ TO ,M>X'S EXPRESSION AT ! TIME1 ! 
CRITICISM ( E>? HAD TO BEG9 ) ! CRITICISM ( HEAV54 

,! RISE ( B\RGEOIS SOCIETY WAS ALWAYS ACCOMPANI$ BY A /RUGGLE AGA9/ 
! ,*UR*1 AGA9/ C]TA9 =MS ( RELIGION OR AGA9/ RELIGION 9 G5]AL4 
,?IS WAS QUITE 9 ! NATURE ( ?+S1 S9CE UND] FEUDALISM ,*UR* & ,SOCIETY 
=M$ A /RICTLY 9T]RELAT$ UNITY4 ,! ,*UR* FULFILL$ POLITICAL & SOCIAL 
FUNCTION .<SIC.> :I* 9 LAT] C5TURIES W]E TAK5 
OV] MORE & MORE BY ! ,/ATE & ITS ORGANS3 LAW-GIV+1 9/RUCTION1 
ADM9I/RATION1 SAFE-GU>D+ ( COMMUNICATION1 PROMOTION ( TE*NICS4 ,9 
P>TICUL>1 EV]Y?+ 9TELLECTUAL 9 ! GUIDANCE ( SOCIETY WAS ITS TASK1 9 
! SMALLE/ VILLAGE AS WELL AS ?RU\T ! BODY POLITIC2 ! ,*UR* RUL$ LIKE 
A SUP]-MON>*Y OV] ! :OLE ( ,*RI/5DOM1 & WAS ! MO/ =MIDABLE 
EXPLOIT+ P[]4 ,IT WAS NATURAL ?AN ?AT DUR+ ! RISE ( ! B\RGEOISIE 
ANY RESI/ANCE TO ?IS EXPLOITATION %\LD ASSUME ! =M ( H]ESY 
7,ALBIG5SES1 ,HUSSITES74 ,& 9 ! FOLL[+ C5TURIES :5 ?IS RESI/ANCE 
ASSUM$ ! PROPORTIONS ( A SEIZURE ( P[] BY ! B\RGEOISIE1 IT CAME AB\T 
UND] ! BANN] ( A R5EWAL ( RELIGION1 AS ! ,RE=MATION AMONG ! 
,PROTE/ANTS1 ! ,CALV9ITES & ,PURITANS4 

,9 ! CLASS /RUGGLES ( ! #a#f? & #a#g? C5TURIES ! RELIGIONS W]E :AT 
POLITICAL P>TIES W]E 9 ! #a#i?1 ! LIV+ ORGANIZATIONS ( ?AT /RUGGLE2 
LAT] !Y FOSSILIZ$ 9TO *UR*ES ) DEAD DOGMAS4 

,:5 ! WAY WAS BE+ PAV$ = ! REVOLUTION 9 ,FRANCE 9 ! #a#h? 
C5TURY1 ! MOVEM5T WAS DIRECT$ NOT M]ELY AGA9/ ! NOBILITY & MON>*Y1 
BUT ALSO AGA9/ ! ,*UR*4 ,OB$I5CE TO ! ,*UR* WAS B\ND UP ) OB$I5CE 
TO ! ,PR9CE2 RELIGION WAS ! MO/ IMPORTANT MEANS ( HOLD+ ! MASSES 9 
SUBJECTION4 ,A P[]FUL OPPOSITION1 SOCIALLY1 TO ! RUL+ P[] DET]M9$ 
!RE=E1 SPIRITUALLY1 A BREAK AWAY FROM ! ,*UR*4 ,! PR9CIPAL =M ( ?IS 
LATT] OPPOSITION WAS ?AT ( A HAZY P]SONAL RELIGI\S S5TIM5T1 AP>T FROM 
ALL CL]ICAL DOCTR9E1 AS 9 ! CASE ( ,R\SSEAU1 ?O MAT]IALI/IC VIEWS W]E 
EV5 AT ?IS TIME TO BE MET ) 9 A NUMB] ( ?9K]S4 ,?R\< ! DISCOV]IES 
( NATURAL SCI5CE1 P>TICUL>LY ( ! LAW ( GRAVITATION BY ,NEWTON1 IT HAD 
BECOME E/ABLI%$ ?AT NATURE IS SUBJECT TO A FIX$ ORD] ( NATURAL LAWS 
PRECLUD+ ANY >BITR>Y 9T]F]5CE4 ,?IS PROVID$ ! RIS+ B\RGEOISIE ) 
WEAPONS ( FREE CRITICAL ?\<T 9 ITS /RUGGLE AGA9/ ! ,*UR*4 ,!RE WAS 
ALSO ! FACT ?AT ! PEASANTS & B\RGEOISIE LOOK$ ) 5VY UPON ! GREAT 
NEGLECT$ L&$ PROP]TY ( ! ,*UR*1 A DOMA9 :I* !Y !MSELVES HAD 
LIK$ TO POSSESS 9 ORDE .<SIC.> TO CULTIVATE & 
IMPROVE IT4 ,& 9 ! ,FR5* ,REVOLUTION ( #a<i !Y DID1 AS A MATT] ( FACT1 
ROB ! ,*UR* ( ?OSE POSSESSIONS4 ,9 VIEW ( ! 5ORM\S /ATE DEFICIT1 ?AT 
WAS ! ONLY WAY 9 :I* /ATE BANKRUPTCY C\LD BE AVOID$3 ! SEIZURE & 
SALE ( ! HOLD+S ( ! ,*UR*1 SO ?AT !Y C\LD BE PUT TO FUR!R USE = 
AGRICULTURAL & 9DU/RIAL PURPOSES4 ,S9CE ?AT TIME1 ! ,*UR* HAS BE5 ! 
SWORN FOE ( REVOLUTION4 ,& CONSEQU5TLY ! REVOLUTION>Y B\RGEOISIE WAS 
OBLIG$ TO ATTACK ! ,*UR* MORE %>PLY ?AN IT W\LD O!RWISE HAVE BE5 
9CL9$ TO DO1 BY WAY ( ! /RUGGLE AGA9/ RELIGION4 ,! FACT ?AT 9 
,FRANCE1 EV5 D[N TO ! PRES5T DAY1 RATIONALISM & HAS ?\<T >E SO 
WIDESPREAD AMONG ! MIDDLE CLASSES IS 9 GOOD P>T [+ TO ?AT HI/ORICAL 
CONFLICT4 

,9 ! #a#i? C5TURY1 ! B\RGEOISIE WAS OBLIG$ TO CONT9UE ?IS /RUGGLE1 
NOT ONLY 9 ,FRANCE BUT 9 O!R C\NTRIES 9 :I* IT WAS COM+ UP1 9 ORD] TO 
GA9 ! COMPLETE MA/]Y4 ,& 9 ?IS CONNECTION ! /RUGGLE AGA9/ ! 
PREVAIL+ RELIGION HAD TO BE C>RI$ ON = A D\BLE REASON3 

,9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 ! TRADITIONAL =MS ( RELIGION HAD !IR ORIG9 9 AN 
\TMOD$ & BACKW>D MODE ( PRODUCTION1 TO :I* !Y W]E WELL ADAPT$1 
-- A WORLD ( H&ICRAFT & SMALL PEASANTRY1 FROM :I* SOCIETY WAS N[ 
LIFT+ ITSELF4 ,?IS RELIGION RE/$ UPON \TW>D =MS ( DEVOTION & WAS A 
N>R[1 /UPID SUP]/ITION ( PETTY B\RGEOIS & PEASANTS1 AMONG :OM ! 
PA/OR OR PRIE/ WAS ! ONE & ONLY LIT]ATE 9TELLECTUAL4 ,9 ! DEVELOP$ 
B\RGEOISIE ITSELF1 A DIFF]5T RELIGION WAS GR[+ UP1 ONE :I* CON=M$ TO 
! NE$S ( A COMMODITY-PRODUC+ SOCIETY3 ! P]SONAL FAI? ( AN 9DEP5D5T 
B\RGEOIS ?R[N UPON HIS [N RES\RCES4 ,9 HIM1 ! TRADITIONAL DOCTR9ES W]E 
LOS+ !IR =CE4 ,TO ?IS MAY BE ADD$ ! RAPID DEVELOPM5T ( NATURAL 
SCI5CE1 :I*1 AS ! BASIS ( ! RAPID DEVELOPM5T ( TE*NICS & ( ! 
FL[]+ ( CAPITALISM1 RECEIV$ AT ! H&S ( ! B\RGEOISIE A SPECIAL 
C>E4 ,?IS SCI5CE TAU<T ! EXT5SION ( ! UNIV]SE1 ! LAWS ( NATURE1 ! 
MILLIONS ( YE>S ( ! HI/ORY ( LIFE ON E>?1 ! EVOLUTION ( ! ANIMAL 
K+DOM TO MAN2 9 ALL FIELDS ( KN[L$GE IT CONTRADICT$ ! BIBLE /ORIES AS 
PRIMITIVE IGNORANCE4 ,& H]E WE HAVE ! ADV5T ( ! KE5E/ AMONG ! NEW 
VIEWS1 NAMELY1 B\RGEOIS MAT]IALISM1 :I* IS (T5 ALSO GIV5 ! NAME ( 
NATURAL-SCI5CE MAT]IALISM4 ,IT TAU<T ?AT ! 5TIRE WORLD1 9CLUSIVE ( LIFE 
& ! DEVELOPM5T ( HUMANITY1 IS GOV]N$ ONLY ?R\< NATURAL LAWS1 ?AT !SE 
NATURAL LAWS >E CAPABLE ( EXPLA9+ ALL RIDDLES ( LIFE & FATE1 & ?AT A 
HI<] MY/]I\S P[] IS NOT NE$$ TO ?AT 5D1 & DOES NOT EXI/4 ,BECAUSE 
!SE ?9K]S ( ! B\RGEOISIE BELIEV$ ?AT ! CAPITALI/ DEVELOPM5T W\LD 
BR+ AB\T G5]AL WELL-BE+ & REMOVE ALL MIS]Y1 ALL POV]TY & ALL 
/UPIDITY1 !Y SAW ALL PROBLEMS AS SOLV$ OR SOLUBLE1 & NO LONG] HAD NE$ ( 
ANY HI<] P[]4 

,! B\RGEOISIE C\LD NOT BE CONT5T1 H[EV]1 ) ITS [N AB&ONM5T ( 
! OLD RELIGION1 BUT WAS OBLIG$ ALSO TO ATTACK & COMBAT IT4 ,= ! 
B\RGEOISIE WANT$ TO W9 ! P[] 9 SOCIETY \T ( ! H&S ( PR9CES1 
NOBILITY & L&$ PROPRIETORS4 ,! P[] ( ALL !SE REACTION>Y CLASSES1 :O 
WI%$ TO MA9TA9 :AT WAS OLD & \TWORN1 RE/$ UPON ! SUBMISSIV5ESS ( 
! UN5LI<T5$ MASSES1 ! PEASANTS & PETTY B\RGEOIS2 & ?IS 
SUBMISSIV5ESS WAS AN*OR$ 9 !IR RELIGION4 ,BECAUSE RELIGION WAS ! 
F\NDATION & ! ,*UR* ! ALLY ( ! TRADITIONAL P[]1 !RE=E ! 
B\RGEOISIE WAS OBLIG$ TO CONDUCT ! SPIRITUAL /RUGGLE AGA9/ RELIGION & 
*UR*4 ,IT HAD TO BREAK ?IS MASS AWAY FROM ITS SPIRITUAL LEAD]S1 & CONV]T 
IT 9TO ITS [N FOLL[+4 ,& ?IS WAS DONE BY SPREAD+ 5LI<T5M5T & 
$UCATION AMONG ?IS MASS & FILL+ IT ) NEW IDEAS4 ,9NUM]ABLE >E ! 
LIT]>Y WORKS ( A POPUL> SCI5TIFIC CA/ :I* CAME 9TO BE+ >\ND ! 
MIDDLE ( ! #a#i? C5TURY1 = ! PURPOSE ( 05LI<T5+ ! PEOPLE01 ?AT 
IS1 9 ORD] TO W9 ! MASSES = ! B\RGEOISIE1 TO 9OCULATE !M ) ! 
POLITICAL & RELIGI\S VIEWS ( ! B\RGEOISIE & SO TO TAKE ! F\NDATION 
\T FROM UND] ! OLD RUL+ ELEM5TS4 ,& :]E ! /RUGGLE BECAME H>D & 
FURI\S1 ! MO/ RADICAL VIEWS W]E DISSEM9AT$ & MAT]IALISM ATTA9$ AN 
ADD$ SIGNIFICANCE4 

,! REASON :Y ?IS /RUGGLE SOON CAME TO NO?+ & WAS DISCONT9U$ :5 
! B\RGEOISIE WAS MA/] ( ! /ATE P[]1 & FREQU5TLY EV5 BE=E ?AT 
TIME1 WILL BE SE5 F>!R ON4 

,I,I4 

,9 ,RUSSIA ! /RUGGLE HAD TO BE WAG$ AGA9/ ! SAME P[]S AGA9/ :I* 
! B\RGEOIS REVOLUTIONS W]E DIRECT$ 9 WE/]N ,EUROPE3 ! PR9CELY 
ABSOLUTISM :I* BY MEANS ( A HORRIBLE POLICE REGIME HELD D[N ALL /IRR+S ( 
A LIB]T>IAN DEVELOPM5T1 & AGA9/ BIG L&$ PROP]TY :I* HELD ! 
PEASANTS 9 ?RALL4 ,! /RUGGLE HAD TO BE WAG$ 9 ! MID/ ( A POPULATION 
:I* 9 9TELLECTUAL RESPECTS RESEMBL$ MO/ ! PEASANT MASSES ( M$IEVAL 
,EUROPE1 LONG BE=E ! B\RGEOIS REVOLUTION4 ,! RUSSIAN MUZHIKS W]E1 9 FACT1 
MU* MORE IGNORANT & BACKW>D ?AN !SE LATT]4 ,9 ,RUSSIA ALSO ! ,*UR* WAS 
A F\NDATION-PILL> ( ! PR9CELY P[]1 & EV5 )\T RES]VE A 
SUBORD9ATE ORGAN ( ,CZ>ISM4 ,!RE ALSO RELIGION1 9 H>MONY ) ! 
PRIMITIVELY B>B>\S ECONOMY1 WAS A B>B>\S BL9D BELIEF 9 ! MIRACUL\S 
P[] ( SA9TLY BONES & ( C&LES1 & ! SIMPLE S\LS W]E *>M$ & 
9TOXICAT$ BY MEANS ( SUMPTU\S LI<T & GLITT]+ GOLD VE/M5TS4 

,! MEANS BY :I* ! ,BOL%EVI/ ,P>TY WAS ABLE TO W9 ! POLITICAL P[] 
& DEMOLI% ,CZ>ISM & ! B\RGEOISIE WAS ?IS3 IT *AMPION$ ! ECONOMIC 
9T]E/S ( ! PEASANTS1 !IR /RIV+ TO GET POSSESSION ( ! L&1 AGA9/ 
! L&$ PROPRIETORS1 SET ?IS UP AS ! GOAL ( ! REVOLUTION & ?US WON 
! PEASANTS = ITS PROGRAM4 ,BUT NEXT IT HAD TO TAKE C>E ?AT ! PEASANTS 
%\LD NOT1 SUBSEQU5TLY1 AFT] !Y HAD ATTA9$ !IR GOAL1 TURN AGA9/ ! 
,P>TY1 TAKE UP ) A B\RGEOIS POLICY ( !IR [N & TO ?AT 5D MAKE USE ( 
!IR OLD SPIRITUAL P[]1 ! ,*UR*1 AS A RALLY+ PO9T4 ,= ?IS REASON ! 
REACTION>Y P[] BY :I* ! PEASANTS HAD HI!RTO BE5 DOM9AT$ HAD TO BE 
DE/ROY$1 SO ?AT ! PEASANTS %\LD BECOME SUPPORT]S ( ,BOL%EVISM 
SPIRITUALLY AS WELL AS MAT]IALLY4 ,?AT WAS POSSIBLE ONLY BY WAY ( A /RUGGLE 
AGA9/ ! ,*UR*1 9 ! MO/ RADICAL =M BY WAY ( AN 9T5SIVE PROPAG&A 
AGA9/ RELIGION 9 G5]AL4 

,?IS /RUGGLE1 :I* WAS WAG$ DIRECTLY ?R\< ! 0,LEAGUE ( ! ,GODLESS0 BUT 
) ! SUPPORT ( ! ,/ATE1 WAS SC>CELY DI/+UI%ABLE 9 *>ACT] & 
CONT5T FROM ! ONE :I* WAS WAG$ E>LI] 9 WE/]N ,EUROPE BY ! B\RGEOIS 
MAT]IALI/S & FREE ?9K]S4 ,IT HAD NO?+ :ATEV] TO DO ) ,M>XISM4 ,& 
! PHILOSOPHICAL POLEMICS ( ,L59 DAT+ FROM ! TIME PRIOR TO ! ,REVOLUTION 
79 ! COMPLETE $ITION ( HIS WORKS1 COLLECT$ UND] ! TITLE 0,MAT]IALISM 
& ,EMPIRIOCRITICISM07 >E QUITE ON ! LEVEL ( B\RGEOIS MAT]IALISM2 :I*1 
( C\RSE1 IS QUITE NATURAL S9CE HIS /RUGGLE 9 ,RUSSIA WAS DIRECT$ AGA9/ 
! SAME SORT ( OPPON5TS4 ,! PROPAG&A 9 ,RUSSIA WAS DI/+UI%$ FROM ?AT 
( WE/]N ,EUROPE ONLY 9 ! CIRCUM/ANCE ?AT IT WAS WAG$ ) /ILL MORE 
PRIMITIVE >GUM5TS & CRUD] 9/RUM5TS1 BECAUSE IT WAS DIRECT$ AGA9/ A 
/ILL MORE B>B>\S SUP]/ITION4 ,! PROC$URE HAS1 ( C\RSE1 BE5 DESCRIB$ 
BE=E3 ! MUZHIK'S UND]/&+ ( ! >GUM5TS BAS$ ON NATURAL SCI5CE IS 
RA!R LIMIT$2 BUT HE SEES & HE>S !SE GODLESS ONES DIRECT ! FI]CE/ 
SORT ( ATTACKS AGA9/ ,GOD1 GIVE UTT]ANCE TO ! MO/ T]RIBLE BLASPHEMIES1 
-- & NO FLA% ( LI<TN+ FROM HEAV5 /RIKES ! EVIL-DO]S4 ,?AT 
PROVES TO HIM ?AT ,GOD DOESN'T EXI/1 OR AT ANY RATE DOESN'T C>E AB\T :AT 
PEOPLE DO H]E BEL[4 ,& SO HE DRAWS HIS CONCLUSIONS3 HE LETS ! PRIE/ GO 
HUNGRY1 CONV]TS ! CROSS 9TO K9DL+ WOOD & ! *UR* 9TO A /ABLE1 
HANGS PICTURES ( ,M>X & ,L59 9 HIS ROOM & P]HAPS BURNS C&LES TO !M4 
,! Y\NG] G5]ATION1 H[EV]1 TAKES UP ) ! Y\? GR\PS :I* $UCATE 
!MSELVES 9 NATIONAL ECONOMY & NATURAL SCI5CE1 & IT TAKES OV] 
,MAT]IALISM AS A RECOGNIZ$ & MATT]-(-C\RSE DOCTR9E4 ,9 ,RUSSIA A NEW 
G5]ATION IS GR[+ UP1 & HAS BE5 GR[+ UP A SUFFICI5T NUMB] ( YE>S 
TO =M A NEW /RATUM ( ADULTS TO :OM RELIGION IS ONLY AN HI/ORICAL 
PH5OM5ON1 A SUP]/ITION ( ELD]LY PEOPLE BELONG+ TO ! PA/4 ,! RUSSIAN 
,*UR* HAS GONE UND] ) ,CZ>ISM4 

,?IS IS NOT TO SAY ?AT RELIGION G5]ALLY1 9 ,RUSSIA1 HAS DISAPPE>$ OR IS 
SURELY DISAPPE>+4 ,FIR/ BECAUSE WE HAVE 9 FACT ! OCCURR5CE1 9 LIMIT$ 
MEASURE1 ( :AT WAS POSIT$ ABOVE3 :]E ! PEASANTS COME 9TO CONFLICT ) 
! GOV]NM5T1 !IR REVOLT ASSUMES ! =M ( A *UR*LY RESI/ANCE4 ,:5 
!IR ALLEGIANCE TO ! OLD SMALL-PEASANT MODE ( ECONOMY COMES 9TO CONFLICT 
) ! SEMI-VIOL5T 9TRODUCTION ( MOD]N AGRICULTURE & L>GE-SCALE 
OP]ATION 9 ! KOLHOZES1 ! PEASANTS SEEK /R5G? BY COM+ TOGE!R 9 ! 
,*UR*1 9 ! OLD RELIGION1 ! SYMBOL ( :AT IS OLD & :I* LIKEWISE IS 
BE+ SUPPRESS$ BY ! /ATE4 ,! ECONOMIC /RUGGLE IS WAG$ 9 ! IDEAL =M 
( A RELIGI\S CONFLICT2 & ! WE/]N-EUROPEAN PRESS PR9TS /ORIES AB\T 
HORRIBLE RELIGI\S P]SECUTIONS 9 ,RUSSIA )\T A SUSPICION ?AT !SE 
SO-CALL$ P]SECUTIONS SIGNIFY MA9LY AN ECONOMICO-POLITICAL CONFLICT REG>D+ 
! BUILD+ UP ( RUSSIAN AGRICULTURE4 ,AS A FOCUS ( ALL ECONOMIC REACTION1 
RELIGION REMA9S 9 EXI/5CE4 

,BESIDES1 AS IS WELL KN[N1 ON ! ,VOLGA ! PEASANT VILLAGES ( ! ,G]MANS 
MA9TA9 !IR EVANGELICAL FAI?1 REMA9+ UNPHAS$ BY ! A!I/ICAL 
PROPAG&A4 ,RELIGION IS H]E A MU* MORE DEEPLY ROOT$ P]SONAL CONVICTION1 
BR\<T ALONG FROM ! PETTY-B\RGEOIS COMMODITY PRODUCTION ( WE/]N 
C\NTRIES1 & !RE=E PRACTICALLY IMMUNE TO ! PRIMITIVE >GUM5TS ( ! 
0GODLESS04 ,!SE PEASANTS BECOME 9VOLV$ 9 CONFLICTS ) ! BASES ( ! 
/ATE-SOCIALI/ ECONOMIC SY/EM4 ,& SO IT IS QUITE NATURAL ?AT ! PREVAIL+ 
SY/EM COMES 9TO CONFLICT ALSO ) !SE G]MAN PEASANTS2 & BECAUSE ! 
OPPOS$ SOCIAL IDEAS EXPRESS !MSELVES 9 ! =M ( OPPOS$ RELIGI\S IDEAS1 
-- ,A!ISM ON ! ONE H&1 & ,PROTE/ANTISM ON ! O!R -- H]E 
ALSO ! /RUGGLE ASSUMES ! =M ( A RELIGI\S P]SECUTION4 

,RELIGION IS NOT SIMPLY A SUP]/ITION 9V5T$ BY PRIE/S & RUL]S & 
:I* CAN BE COMBAT$ BY A!I/ICAL PROPAG&A4 ,NOR IS IT A M]E \TCROPP+ 
( IGNORANCE :I* CAN BE DE/ROY$ ?R\< 9DOCTR9ATION ) NATURAL SCI5CE4 ,IT 
>ISES FROM ! 9CAPACITY ( HUMAN BE+S TO CONTROL !IR [N DE/9Y4 ,IT IS 
AN EXPRESSION ( ! FEEL+ ?AT UNKN[N & OV]P[]FUL =CES1 ( EI!R 
NATURAL OR SOCIAL ORIG91 >E MA/]S OV] LIFE & DE/9Y4 ,:E!R & 9 :AT 
=M RELIGION WILL CONT9UE TO EXI/ 9 ,RUSSIA DEP5DS !RE=E ON ! 
C\NTRY'S FUR!R ECONOMIC DEVELOPM5T4 ,! A!ISM ( ! Y\?FUL ,RUSSIA IS 9 
H>MONY ) ?IS FIR/ P]IOD ( ! RISE ( /ATE CAPITALISM3 ! ,RUSSIANS SEE 
BE=E !M AN UNRE/RICT$ & B\NDLESS DEVELOPM5T T[>D WELL-BE+ & 
SUP]FLUITY2 !Y SEE ! PROBLEMS ( LIFE AS SOLV$ & NO HI<] P[] IS 
NE$FUL4 ,BUT ,RUSSIA IS ALREADY BECOM+ 9VOLV$ 9 WORLD POLICY1 :I* AT ! 
PRES5T TIME IS ISSU+ 9 ! D]AILM5T ( CAPITALISM T[>D WORLD W>1 
DECL9E1 REVOLUTION2 ! DANG]S :I* M5ACE ! RE/ ( ! CAPITALI/ WORLD 
CANNOT BE EVAD$ BY ,RUSSIA1 %E IS NOT ! MA/] ( H] DE/9Y4 ,REC5T PRESS 
REPORTS >E SIGNIFICANT 9 ?IS RESPECT2 !Y /ATE ?AT ! RUSSIAN GOV]NM5T1 
AFT] ! TREATIES ) ! WE/-EUROPEAN GOV]NM5TS1 HAS N[ NEGOTIAT$ ) 
! ,ROMAN ,CA?OLIC ,*UR* REG>D+ P]MISSION ( CA?OLIC PROPAG&A4 ,IF BY ! 
SIDE ( ! PREVAIL+ /ATE CAPITALISM !RE %\LD /ILL REMA9 OR >ISE 9 
,RUSSIA1 PRIVATE PROP]TY & COMMODITY PRODUCTION 9 CONSID]ABLE MEASURE1 ! 
ACQUIR$ ,MAT]IALISM1 AS AGA9/ ! SPIRITUAL EFFECTS ( ?IS MAT]IAL REALITY1 
W\LD BECOME A M]E \TW>D =M4 

,I,I,I4 

,JU/ AS ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY C>RI$ OV] ! BOL%EVI/ ME?ODS 9TO ! 
POLITICAL CLASS /RUGGLE ( WE/]N ,EUROPE & ,AM]ICA1 SO IT HAS ALSO COPI$ 
H]E ! RUSSIAN ME?OD ( COMBAT+ RELIGION4 ,& SO 9 ?IS QUE/ION ALSO WE 
>E PRES5T$ ) AN 9/RUCTIVE EXAMPLE ( ! GREAT OPPOSITION BETWE5 
,BOL%EVISM & ,COMMUNISM1 AS AN \TCOME ( ! OPPOSITION BETWE5 ! PRIMITIVE 
RUSSIAN SOCIETY ( CZ>I/ TIMES & ! DEVELOP$ CAPITALISM ( ! ,WE/4 

,COMMUNISM1 ! EMANCIPATION ( ! WORK+ CLASS1 SIGNIFIES ! 5D ( 
RELIGION4 ,) ! VANI%+ ( E>?LY MIS]Y1 !RE VANI%ES ALSO ! HEAV5LY 
REFLEX ( ?IS MIS]Y4 ,:5 HUMANITY DIRECTS ! LABOR PROCESS ) CONSCI\S 
DESIGN & ITS [N EXI/5CE IS !REBY ASSUR$1 :5 MAN IS ! MA/] ( HIS 
DE/9Y & IS NOT MA/]$ BY ANY 5IGMATIC SUP]IOR =CES1 HE !N SEES ! 
:OLE WORLD BE=E HIM ) OP5 CL>ITY1 & NO PHANTASMAGORIA ( AN ANGUI%$ 
M9D CAN ANY LONG] CL\D HIS 9SI<T4 ,BUT EV5 :5 ?IS GOAL IS NOT YET 
ATTA9$1 ! REALIZATION ?AT IT WILL BE ATTA9$ HAS A 
LIB]AT+ EFFECT UPON ! M9D4 ,HI/ORICAL ,MAT]IALISM1 ! M>XIAN DOCTR9E1 
TEA*ES US TO UND]/& ! SOCIAL =CES4 ,! WORK]S SEE ?AT !RE >E NO 
MY/]I\S SUP]NATURAL P[]S :I* BR+ !M POV]TY1 MIS]Y1 W>1 
DE/RUCTION1 BUT ?AT ALL !SE ?+S >E \TCOMES ( CAPITALISM2 ?+S :I* 
!Y1 ?R\< !IR /RUGGLE1 CAN CONQU] & SET ASIDE4 ,!RE=E !SE =CES1 
AL?\< /ILL V]Y P[]FUL1 >E NO LONG] MY/]I\S2 & H5CE RELIGION VANI%ES 
AMONG ! WORK+ MASSES :O1 ?R\< ,SOCIALISM OR ,COMMUNISM1 HAVE ACQUIR$ A BASIS 
( M>XI/ 9SI<T4 ,?IS DOES NOT COME AB\T ?R\< ! =CE ( A!I/ICAL 
>GUM5TS AGA9/ RELIGION1 BY :I* ! WORK]S >E CONV9C$ & WON OV]4 
,RA!R1 BY REASON ( ! NEW SOCIAL 9SI<T1 ! FEEL+ ( TIMID UNC]TA9TY IS 
DISSIPAT$ & VANI%ES FROM !IR CONSCI\SNESS1 SO ?AT !IR M9DS BECOME 
ACCESSIBLE TO >GUM5TS :I* 9 REALITY !Y SC>CELY NE$ ANY MORE1 & !IR 
RELIGION GOES BY ! BO>D4 

,A PR(\ND DIFF]5CE EXI/S BETWE5 ! M>XI/ HI/ORICAL ,MAT]IALISM & 
! B\RGEOIS ,MAT]IALISM DAT+ FROM ! MIDDLE ( ! LA/ C5TURY4 ,! LATT] 
?\<T TO BE ABLE TO EXPLA9 HUMAN SOCIETY BY MEANS ( NATURAL LAWS & WAS 
QUITE UNAW>E ( ! FACT ?AT SOCIETY HAS ITS [N LAWS4 ,M>XISM PO9TS \T 
!SE LAWS ( SOCIETY BY :I* ! DEVELOPM5T ( HUMANITY IS CONDITION$4 
,B\RGEOIS MAT]IALISM BELIEV$ ?AT ?R\< KN[L$GE ( ! NATURAL LAWS & ?R\< 
!IR APPLICATION 9 TE*NICS1 MAN C\LD MA/] HIS DE/9Y & !REBY ALSO 
BECOME SPIRITUALLY FREE4 ,BUT ?IS APPLICATION1 ! DEVELOPM5T ( ,CAPITALISM1 
GAVE RISE TO /ILL GREAT] MIS]Y & TO UNKN[N P[]S :I* W]E /ILL MORE 
=MIDABLE4 ,M>XISM EXPLA9S !SE P[]S & 5LI<T5S ! WORK]S REG>D+ 
! MANN] 9 :I* ! WORK]S !MSELVES1 ) ! AID ( ?IS SCI5CE1 CAN 
CONQU] !M4 ,! OPPOSITION ( ! TWO K9DS ( MAT]IALISM COMES =? MO/ 
CLE>LY 9 !IR RESPECTIVE CONCEPTIONS ( RELIGION1 ! ONE REG>D+ IT AS A 
SIMPLE EFFECT ( IGNORANCE REG>D+ NATURE1 ! O!R AS AN EFFECT ( SOCIAL 
FACTORS4 ,& ON ?IS BASIS WE SEE ?AT ! MANN] 9 :I* RELIGION IS COMBAT$ 
BY ,BOL%EVISM IS QUITE ON ! PLANE ( B\RGEOIS MAT]IALISM4 

,IF RELIGION W]E NO?+ MORE ?AN A PRODUCT ( IGNORANCE1 IT W\LD HAVE HAD 
TO VANI% MORE & MORE AMONG ! $UCAT$ CLASS1 ! B\RGEOISIE1 9 ! LA/ 
HALF-C5TURY ( 9CREAS+ SCI5TIFIC KN[L$GE & CON/ANTLY BETT] 
9/RUCTION4 ,BUT :AT DO WE SEE8 ,?AT DUR+ ?IS TIME ?IS CLASS1 EV5 ITS 
9TELLECTUAL P>T1 HAS GR[N MORE & MORE RELIGI\S4 ,( C\RSE IT IS (T5 SAID 
?AT ?IS IS M]ELY [+ TO ! FACT ?AT ! B\RGEOISIE HAS AN 9T]E/ 9 
MA9TA9+ RELIGION AMONG ! PEOPLE & !RE=E SUPPORTS RELIGION BY ITS [N 
EXAMPLE4 ,NO D\BT ?IS COMES 9TO PLAY AMONG O!R ?+S1 BUT IT IS NOT ! 
MA9 MATT]4 ,) SU* SUP]FICIAL VIEWS REG>D+ ITS OPPON5TS1 ! 
PROLET>IAT CAN ONLY WEAK5 ITSELF4 ,! B\RGEOISIE IS NOT MADE UP1 
9TELLECTUALLY1 ( HYPOCRITES ANY MORE ?AN IT IS COMPOS$1 ECONOMICALLY1 ( 
EVIL-DO]S & POLITICALLY ( BLOCKHEADS1 -- REG>DLESS ( :AT ! 
PROPAG&A ( P>TY POLITICIANS ?IR/+ = P[] W\LD HAVE US BELIEVE4 ,! 
RELIGI\S S5TIM5TS 9 ?IS CLASS >E = ! MO/ P>T G5U9E1 & WE %ALL 
5DEAVOR TO %[ ?AT SU* IS QUITE 9 ! NATURE ( ?+S4 

,RELIGION IS ! FANTA/IC =M 9 :I* PEOPLE GIVE EXPRESSION TO !IR 
UNCONSCI\S S5TIM5T ( !IR CONNECTION ) ! UNIV]SE1 SO LONG AS !Y DO 
NOT KN[ ! REAL CONNECTION4 ,MAN HAS ALWAYS BE5 DEP5D5T ON ! WORLD = HIS 
EXI/5CE & ?IS DEP5D5CE WILL CONT9UE TO EXI/ BECAUSE MAN ALWAYS REMA9S 
A P>T ( ! WORLD & HIS LIFE IS A P>T ( ! TOTAL PROCESS ( UNIV]SAL 
HI/ORY4 ,BUT 9 ! P]IODS ( HI/ORY :I* LIE BEH9D US HE FAIL$ TO REALIZE 
CLE>LY ?IS DEP5D5CE & TO MA/] IT4 ,9 ! E>LY TIMES ( PRIMITIVE 
CULTURAL CONDITIONS1 ! MEANS ( LIV+ W]E (F]$ HIM BY WAY ( NATURAL 
PH5OM5A 9DEP5D5T ( HIS WILL1 7SUN%9E1 RA91 F]TILE SOIL72 BUT AT ! 
SAME TIME1 P[]FUL =CES W]E CAPABLE ( DE/ROY+ HIM4 ,MORE REC5TLY1 BY 
MEANS ( TE*NICAL DEVICES1 LAT] SUPPORT$ BY NATURAL SCI5CE1 HE LE>N$ TO 
DIRECT !SE NATURAL =CES1 TO USE !M & DRAW !M 9TO HIS S]VICE4 ,HIS 
LIFE BECAME RI*] & MORE SECURE4 ,?IS WAS FOLL[$1 H[EV]1 BY ! ADV5T ( 
SOCIAL =CES1 >IS+ \T ( ! =MS ( PRODUCTION 9 :I*1 
) ADVANC+ TE*NOLOGY1 PEOPLE WORK$ TOGE!R 9 EV] GREAT] UNITS3 TRIBES 
&1 LAT] ON1 CITIES & NATIONS1 LEAD+ TO /ATES & CLASSES4 ,/RUGGLE ( 
! TRIBES = L&1 /RUGGLE ( ! CITIES & /ATES = TRADE & PR(IT1 
/RUGGLE ( ALL AGA9/ ALL 9 %>P COMPETITION1 /RUGGLE ( ! CLASSES = 
!IR %>E ( ! PRODUCT & = P[]1 W> & CRISIS 9 MOD]N TIMES -- 
ALL !SE ?+S1 AS MI<TY =CES1 DROVE PEOPLE =W>D & BR\<T !M 
SUCCESS OR DECL9E4 ,! 9DIVIDUAL FELT P[]LESS1 & WAS SO 9 FACT2 HAPP9ESS 
& DISA/] W]E NOT DEP5D5T ON HIMSELF4 ,:ILE HE LIV$ 9 ! MID/ ( A 
WORLD ( CON/ANTLY RI*] POSSIBILITIES1 BR\<T AB\T BY WAY ( COLLECTIVE 
HUMAN EF=T1 BUT )\T CONSCI\S DESIGN & PLAN1 HE WAS VISIT$ BY 
CATA/ROPHES & ?REAT5$ ) EXT9CTION BY =CES :I* HE DID NOT 
UND]/& & FAIL$ TO MA/]1 =CES :I* LIKEWISE W]E BR\<T AB\T BY WAY 
( COLLECTIVE HUMAN EF=T1 BUT ALSO )\T CONSCI\S DESIGN & PLAN4 ,?IS 
DEP5D5CE ON A WORLD TOTALITY /&+ HI< & MI<TY ABOVE HIM & BEYOND HIS 
UND]/&+ EXPRESS$ ITSELF 9 A FEEL+ ( FE> & DEJECTION1 OCCASIONALLY 
( CONFID5CE & CALMNESS1 BUT ALWAYS ( SUBJECTION TO ! SUBLIMAT$ 
P]SONIFICATIONS ( !SE =CES1 H5CE 9 RELIGI\S FEEL+S4 

,9 ! MOD]N CAPITALI/ CLASS1 TWO T5D5CIES >E WORK+ C\NT] TO EA* 
O!R4 ,ON ! ONE H&1 ITS TE*NICAL P[] HAS NEV] REVEAL$ ITSELF SO MI<TY 
AS 9 ! PRES5T P]IOD1 ! P]IOD ( ! RISE & P]FECTION ( A]IAL 
NAVIGATION1 ! 5ORM\S ACCEL]ATION ( 9T]NATIONAL COMMUNICATION1 SPIRITUAL 
& MAT]IAL1 ( ! REF9EM5T ( MA*9E TE*NIQUE & ( ! MORE SUB/ANTIAL 
9T]WEAV+ ( LABOR & SCI5CE4 ,?AT :I* PREVI\SLY HAD BE5 NOT$ AS AN 
A/ONI%+ COMP5DIUM ( UNCONSCI\S GR[? -- MAN'S MA/]Y OV] NATURE 
& ! NATURAL =CES -- WAS N[ PR\DLY PROCLAIM$ AS ! PROGRAM ( A 
CONSCI\SLY DIRECT$ TE*NICO-SCI5TIFIC ADVANCE4 ,?US !RE >OSE 9 ! 
B\RGEOISIE ! CONSCI\SNESS ( UNLIMIT$ POSSIBILITIES1 ! FEEL+ ( BEE+ 
.<SIC.> CAPABLE ( EV]Y?+4 ,?IS WAS ESPECIALLY TRUE 
( ! MA/]S ( PRODUCTION1 ! WORLD'S ECONOMIC LEAD]S1 :O SAW !MSELVES 
AS ! DIRECTORS ( HUMAN DE/9Y4 ,! SPIRITUAL REFLEX ( ?IS T5D5CY WAS NOT 
SO MU* MAT]IALISM1 9SI<T 9TO ! NATURAL =CES ( ! WORLD1 AS CYNICISM1 
CONTEMPT 9 :AT O!RS REV]E4 

,9 ! MID/ ( ?IS FEEL+ ( CONFID5CE1 H[EV]1 ANO!R S5TIM5T WAS AT 
WORK EV5 LONG BE=E ! ADV5T ( ! PRES5T WORLD CRISIS 9 :I* ! 
AN>*Y ( CAPITALI/ PRODUCTION HAS DRIV5 ITS MA/]S TO DESP]ATE EX]TIONS 
& FE>FUL D\BT REG>D+ ! FUTURE4 ,= ! M5ACE ( ! PROLET>IAN 
,REVOLUTION HAS HUNG LIKE A SWORD OV] ! B\RGEOISIE FROM ! V]Y TIME ( ITS 
RISE TO P[]4 ,AS SOON AS ! WORK+ CLASS A HALF-C5TURY AGO1 BEGAN TO 
ORGANIZE1 TOOK UP ! /RUGGLE & PROCLAIM$ ITS SOCIALI/ GOALS1 IT WAS ALL UP 
) ! SELF-CONFID5CE ( ! B\RGEOISIE4 ,& !REUPON ! B\RGEOIS 
,MAT]IALISM MELT$ AWAY1 & ONLY FEEBLE REMNANTS ( IT HAVE BE5 AT WORK S9CE 
?AT TIME 9 A P>T ( ! PETTY B\RGEOISIE & ( ! WORK]S4 ,= IT WAS N[ 
REVEAL$ ?AT NATURAL SCI5CE C\LD NOT LIB]ATE HUMANITY & ?AT TE*NICS 
UND] CAPITALISM C\LD BR+ NO G5]AL HAPP9ESS1 NO PEACE1 NO FRE$OM4 ,! 
FUTURE GREW D>K & UNC]TA92 ! B\RGEOISIE SAW ITS WORLD FULL ( 
9COMPREH5SIBLE & M5AC+ =CES4 ,& SO !RE >OSE 9 ! CLASS ALL SORTS 
( MY/ICISM & SUP]/ITION4 

,! B\RGEOISIE HAS BE5 %AK5 9 ITS SELF-CONFID5CE BY TWO CATA/ROPHES3 
FIR/ ! ,WORLD ,W>1 !N ! WORLD CRISIS4 ,& N[ !RE HANGS OV] IT LIKE A 
TORM5T+ /ORM CL\D ! M5ACE ( A /ILL MORE DEVA/AT+ WORLD W>4 ,! 
B\RGEOISIE DOES NOT HAVE ITS WORLD 9 H&4 ,P[]LESS & )\T AN IDEA AS TO 
:AT IS TO BE DONE1 IT /&S CONFRONT+ ! IRRESI/IBLE P[] ( !SE SOCIAL 
=CES4 ,& :5 !Y HAVE AGA9 BE5 UNLEA%$1 IT SEES ! RISE ( ! WORK+ 
CLASS1 :I* IS /ILL = ! TIME BE+ CALM$ BY MEANS ( UNEMPLOYM5T RELIEF 
TO EXORCIZE HUNG] REVOLTS1 & /ILL HELD 9 *ECK ?R\< ! POSSIBILITY ( 
P>LIAM5T>Y PROTE/S OR ?R\< HOPE ( A BETT] ECONOMIC ORD] PROMIS$ FROM 
ABOVE4 ,BUT AFT] ALL IT HE>S ! RUMBL+ 9 ! DEP?S1 IT SEES H]E & !RE 
! FLA%+ UP ( ! NEW IDEAS :I* L5D =CE TO A COM+ REVOLUTION1 IT IS 
?9K+ MORE AB\T ! REVOLUTION ?AN ! WORK]S !MSELVES DO1 & IT IS 
MAK+ READY TO PROCE$ AGA9/ IT ) ! %>PE/ MEANS AT COMM&4 ,= ! 
B\RGEOISIE CAN SEE 9 REVOLUTION & ,COMMUNISM NO?+ O!R ?AN *AOS1 
EXT9CTION ( ALL CULTURE & ! 5D ( HUMANITY4 ,& YET IT FEELS 
9/9CTIVELY ?AT IT IS P[]LESS TO EVADE ?IS CATA/ROPHE4 ,?US !RE >ISES 
9 ?IS CLASS MORE & MORE /RONGLY ! BELIEF 9 A SUP]HUMAN1 SUP]NATURAL 
P[] BY :I* ! WORLD IS GOV]N$4 ,& IT CL+S /ILL MORE /RONGLY TO ?IS 
BELIEF BECAUSE ( ! FEEBLE HOPE ?AT 9 ?IS WAY P]HAPS ! WORK]S MAY BE 
HELD BACK FROM !IR GOAL & ! /R5G? :I* LIES 9 !IR UNITY MAY BE 
BROK54 

,I,V4 

,! RISE ( ! SOCIALI/ LABOR MOVEM5T 9 ! LA/ HALF-C5TURY IS ! 
FIR/ CASE 9 ! HI/ORY ( HUMANITY 9 :I* IRRELIGION HAS BECOME A MASS 
PH5OM5ON4 ,!SE MASSES HAD BR\<T RELIGION ) !M AS A TRADITION \T ( 
!IR E>LI] PETTY-B\RGEOIS OR PEASANT MODE ( PRODUCTION4 ,BUT1 ?R[N 
TOGE!R AS WORK]S 9TO CAPITALI/ 9DU/RY1 !Y LE>N$ TO CONDUCT ! CLASS 
/RUGGLE1 !Y LE>N$ A FEW ?+S REG>D+ ! DEVELOPM5T ( SOCIETY TO 
SOCIALISM1 !Y RECOGNIZ$ ?AT !IR DEPLORABLE SITUATION WAS [+ TO NATURAL 
& UND]/&ABLE CAUSES1 & !Y SAW ! POSSIBILITY ( PUTT+ AN 5D TO 
?AT SITUATION ?R\< !IR [N /R5G?4 ,9 ! MO/ IMPORTANT PRACTICE ( LIFE1 
!IR M9DS HAD OCCASION TO CONC]N !MSELVES ONLY ) REALITIES1 ) ! 
UND]/&+ ( REAL ?+S1 & SO ! TRADITIONAL FANTA/IC ?9K+ WAS 
B\ND TO HE DISPELL$ & GRADUALLY VANI%4 ,?IS PROCESS IS /ILL GO+ ON4 

,! CONNECTION BETWE5 SOCIETY & IDEAS IS NOT TO BE CONCEIV$ ME*ANICALLY 
AS A =MULA1 PRESCRIB+ NECESS>ILY TO EA* DEF9ITE CLASS A DEF9ITE MODE ( 
LOOK+ AT ?+S4 ,SOCIETY WORKS UPON US CONT9UALLY ?R\< ALL ! 9FLU5CES & 
=CES ( \R SURR\ND+S1 H5CE UPON EA* ( US DIFF]5TLY 9 V>I\S 
P>TICUL>S2 & SO ! DOCTR9ES IMPRESS$ UPON US 9 Y\? & ! TRADITIONS 
( E>LI] /ATES ( EXI/5CE >E GRADUALLY OV]COME1 9 ONE CASE MORE RAPIDLY 
& 9 ANO!R MORE SL[LY4 ,DIFF]5CES MAY ALSO OCCUR 9 ACCORDANCE ) 
OCCUPATION3 :]EV] WORK]S >E EXPOS$ TO UN=SE5 .<SIC.> CATA/ROPHES -- AS 9 ! CASE ( M9]S & 
FI%]M5 -- EV5 ?O !Y MAY KN[ ?AT 9ADEQUATE SAFETY MEASURES PLAY A 
P>T UND] CAPITALISM1 !RE REMA9S 9 !IR M9DS A DEEPLY ROOT$ 
RELIGIOSITY4 

,ANO!R FACTOR TO BE CONSID]$ IS ! DEVELOPM5T ( ! LABOR MOVEM5T 
ITSELF4 ,9 ! E>LY DAYS ( ITS RISE1 :5 CLE> 9DOCTR9ATION ) PR9CIPLES 
PREVAIL$1 ! 5LI<T5M5T WAS ! MO/ ?OR\<-GO+4 ,:51 LAT]1 ! GREAT 
DROVES ( FELL[-TRAVEL]S >RIV$1 -- ?OSE :O CAME TO SOCIALISM ONLY BY 
REASON ( ELECTORAL SUCCESSES & DIRECT 9T]E/S1 NOT BY REASON ( A PR(\ND 
TRANS=MATION ( !IR BASIC VIEWS1 -- ! TRADITIONAL RELIGION :I* !Y 
HAD BR\<T ALONG \T ( !IR PETTY-B\RGEOIS SURR\ND+S REMA9$ PRACTICALLY 
UNAFFECT$4 ,:5 ! ,SOCIAL ,DEMOCRACY BECAME A P>TY LIKE ANY O!R1 9 
COMPETITION ) ! O!RS1 & ! *UR*ES LE>N$ TO COMPETE ) IT BY WAY 
( SOCIAL SLOGANS1 SOCIAL MEASURES & LABOR ORGANIZATIONS ( !IR [N1 ! 
DISSEM9ATION ( MAT]IALI/IC ?9K+ AMONG PREVI\SLY RELIGI\S WORK]S CAME 
TO AN 5D4 ,!RE IS ALSO ! FACT ?AT ! !ORETICAL 9DOCTR9ATION AS WELL AS 
! 9N] ASSURANCE REG>D+ ! FUTURE >E WEAK5$ AS A RESULT ( ! 
RE=MI/IC DEG5]ATION ( ! MOVEM5T4 ,! B\RGEOISIE PROVES TO HE MORE 
P[]FUL1 ! GOAL F>!R AWAY & DUSKI] ?AN WAS =M]LY ?\<T4 ,& ! 
DEVA/AT+ =CES ( SOCIETY REVEAL !MSELVES1 9 W>1 9 G5]AL DISORD]1 9 
WORLD CRISIS1 MI<TI] & MORE UNCONTROLLABLE4 ,ALL ?AT C\LD BE OPPOS$ TO 
!M WAS M]ELY A C]TA9 VAGUE BELIEF ?AT F9ALLY AFT] ALL ! WORK]S W\LD 
W94 ,BUT ?IS BELIEF EXPRESS$ ITSELF MORE AS AN E?ICAL LOVE ( PEACE & 
DECL>ATIONS ( ! FRAT]NITY ( ! PEOPLES ?AN 9 /RONG & MILITANT 
PREP>$NESS = ! REVOLUTION4 ,IT IS OBVI\S ?AT 9 SU* A LABOR MOVEM5T 
T5D5CIES ( A RELIGI\S COLOR+ COME =? MORE & MORE /RONGLY & A SORT 
( *RI/IAN SOCIALISM GA9S 9 9FLU5CE4 ,& SO WE F9D1 TOGE!R ) ! 
POLITICAL1 ALSO AN 9T5SIFI$ SPIRITUAL RAPPRO*EM5T ) ! B\RGEOISIE4 

,9 APP>5TLY COMPLETE OPPOSITION !RETO1 WE HAVE ! ANTI-RELIGI\S 
PROPAG&A ( ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY1 :I*1 FOLL[+ ! RUSSIAN EXAMPLE1 
9CLUDES 9 ITS ACTIVITIES ?AT ( COMBAT+ RELIGION DIRECTLY4 ,SU* A ?+ 
MAY APPE> QUITE RADICAL1 ESPECIALLY TO ?OSE WORK]S :O !MSELVES W]E 
OBLIG$ TO OV]COME ! RELIGI\S TRADITIONS & HAVE CONT9UALLY MET ) 
RELIGION AS A GREAT IMP$IM5T AMONG !IR COMRADES4 ,BUT 9 REALITY IT IS V]Y 
SUP]FICIAL1 REMA9+ ATTA*$ TO ! SURFACE & ! \T] LAY]S4 ,TO BE 
RADICAL IS TO GET AT ! ROOTS ( ?+S4 ,! ROOT ( RELIGION IS ! SOCIAL 
ESS5CE1 9 ?IS CASE ! DEP5D5CE & P[]LESSNESS4 ,TO ATTACK ?IS ROOT 
REQUIRES -- SO LONG AS SOCIETY IS NOT ITSELF TRANS=M$ -- ! 
BR++ ( SU* 9SI<T 9TO ! SOCIAL DEVELOPM5T AS TO GIVE RISE TO ! 
C]TA9TY ?AT LIB]ATION CAN BE ATTA9$ ?R\< HUMAN EF=T4 ,IT IS ONLY ?AT 
:I* CAN SET ASIDE ! P[] ( RELIGI\S ?9K+4 ,IT DOES NOT COME AB\T ?R\< 
!ORETICAL DISCUSSIONS DIRECT$ TO DEMON/RAT+ ! FALSITY ( RELIGI\S 
DOGMAS2 ?AT IS NO?+ MORE ?AN AN ATTACK UPON ! \T] =M1 UPON ! 
EFFECT1 :ILE ! CAUSE1 ! 9N] ESS5CE1 IS LEFT UNCL>IFI$4 ,ONLY A CLE> 
UND]/&+ ( ! =CES BY :I* SOCIETY IS DRIV5 & ( H[ ! ?9K+ 
& ACT+ ( HUMAN BE+S >E DET]M9$ BY VITAL NE$S ( AN ECONOMIC NATURE1 
-- IT IS ONLY ?IS ?AT MAKES ! BELIEF 9 SUP]NATURAL EXPLANATIONS 
SUP]FLU\S & S5SELESS4 ,)\T ?IS UND]/&+1 H[EV]1 UNBELIEF OR 
A!ISM IS JU/ AS MU* A DOGMATIC BELIEF & JU/ AS LACK+ 9 SOLID 
F\NDATIONS AS IS RELIGION4 

,! A!ISM :I* IS BE+ PROPAGAT$ BY ! ,C4,P4 & ! VAGUE RELIGIOSITY 
( MANY SOCIALI/ CIRCLES >E1 ONE AS MU* AS ! O!R1 B\RGEOIS MADES .<SIC.> ( ?\<T4 ,A!ISM & RELIGION HAVE ?IS 9 COMMON1 
?AT !Y >E UNCONSCI\S EXPRESSIONS ( A S5TIM5T PRODUC$ 9 HUMAN BE+S BY 
SOCIETY4 ,!Y >E ACCORD+LY BO? DOGMATIC2 ?AT IS1 !Y REG>D !MSELVES AS 
ABSOLUTE TRU? & COMBAT & P]SECUTE EA* O!R BECAUSE !Y HOLD ! OPPOS$ 
IDEAS TO BE DET]M9+ AS REG>DS ! PRACTICAL /RUGGLE4 ,9 MAK+ USE ( ! 
NAME ,MAT]IALISM AS ! DOCTR9E ( REALITY -- ! DOCTR9E :I* 
9VE/IGATES1 ) A VIEW TO UND]/&+1 ONLY REALITY1 ! REAL =CES ( ! 
WORLD -- WE AT ! SAME TIME D5EY .<SIC.> ?AT 
A!ISM HAS ANY RI<T :ATEV] TO BE> ?IS NAME4 ,AS A DESC5DANT ( B\RGEOIS 
MAT]IALISM1 A!ISM SEES1 TO BE SURE1 ! REALITY ( NATURE1 BUT NOT ! 
REALITY ( SOCIETY1 H5CE ONLY ?AT ( ! LESS SIGNIFICANT HALF ( ! 
UNIV]SE4 ,ITS VALUE IS ?AT ( AN EMPTY HULL1 ( A NEGATIVE SOLUTION1 BECAUSE IT 
M]ELY ASS]TS ?AT ! RELIGI\S EXPLANATION ( ! WORLD1 ! ONE BY MEANS ( 
SUP]NATURAL BE+S1 IS \T ( ORD]4 ,! ?+ ?AT MI<T GIVE IT A POSITIVE 
CONT5T1 -- ! REAL EXPLANATION ( ! WORLD'S DEVELOPM5T1 A CLE> 
KN[L$GE ( ! =CES & !IR EFFECTS BY :I* \R LIFE IS GOV]N$1 -- 
?AT IS LACK+4 ,?IS CONT5T CAN BE GIV5 ONLY BY ,M>X'S HI/ORICAL 
MAT]IALISM4 

,IT WAS SAID ABOVE ?AT ! ,C4,P4 HAS PROPAGAT$ A!ISM & COMBAT$ 
RELIGION1 BUT ! /ATEM5T IS 9 REALITY TOO FAVORABLE4 ,IT IS ! FREE ?9K]S 
:O COMBAT RELIGION ) FAIRLY CONSID]$ >GUM5TS4 ,:AT HAS BE5 DONE BY ! 
ORGANS ( ! ,C4,P4 WAS NOT MU* MORE ?AN JE]+ & (F5SIVE \TBUR/S 
AGA9/ RELIGION4 ,IT IS P]HAPS ! CLE>E/ 9DICATION ( ! 9TELLECTUAL 
POV]TY ( ! COMMUNI/ P>TIES ?AT1 9 !IR 9TELLECTUAL DEP5D5CE ON 
,BOL%EVISM1 !Y CAME \T 9 WE/]N ,EUROPE AGA9/ RELIGION ) ! SAME 
SIMPLE MEANS ) :I* ! MUZHIKS W]E IMPRESS$ 9 ,RUSSIA4 ,& ( C\RSE IT 
WAS NOT 9T5D$ AS S]I\S COMBAT1 -- 9 SU* MATT]S1 ?AT IS BEYOND ! 
CAPACITIES ( ! ,RUSSIAN ,BOL%EWIKS .<SIC.>1 -- 
BUT WAS DESIGN$ M]ELY TO H>ASS ! B\RGEOISIE & TO IMPRESS ! WORK]S 
) A BIT ( !ATRICAL BOLDNESS4 ,IT IS ! OLD ME?OD ( EXT]NAL APPE>ANCE 
9 ! PLACE ( 9N] /R5G?1 -- A ME?OD :I* IS AT WORK ALSO 9 !IR 
POLICY ( EMPLOY+ HI<-S\ND+ WORDS1 BEH9D :I* !RE IS ONLY A 
RE=MI/IC /RIV+ = \TW>D SUCCESSES ) A VIEW TO P[]4 ,& AS PRO( BY 
EXAMPLE TO %[ H[ FA9TLY COMMUNI/ & H[ COMPLETELY B\RGEOIS ?IS ALLEG$ 
MAT]IALISM IS1 !RE COMES AS ! LA/ SOM]SAULT ! SLOGAN ( TOL]ANCE3 N[ 
?AT ,RUSSIA IS MAK+ ITS PEACE ) ! WE/]N P[]S1 ! ,COMMUNI/ 
,9T]NATIONAL SEEKS TO GET ON ! GOOD SIDE ( ! B\RGEOISIE &1 TO ?AT 5D1 
PROCLAIMS RELIGI\S TOL]ANCE1 ! OLD B\RGEOIS PR9CIPLE4 

,TO ! B\RGEOISIE1 IT IS A PR9CIPLE4 ,! B\RGEOISIE HAS 
RECEIV$ -- AS A TR\BLESOME LEGACY FROM ! E>LI] C5TURIES :5 CLASS 
/RUGGLES W]E REFLECT$ 9 RELIGI\S DIFF]5CES -- ! V>I\S RELIGIONS 
& *UR*ES1 N[ CONTRACT$ TO RIGID >TICLES ( FAI?4 ,9 SPITE ( ! FACT 
?AT EA* MU/ ASSUME1 ACCORD+ TO HIS [N DOCTR9E1 ?AT ! O!R FELL[ IS 
=EV] LO/1 ONE MU/ RESPECT ! O!R'S BELIEF1 AS O!RWISE NO BUS9ESS 
C\LD BE CONDUCT$ AMONG ! DIFF]5T SECTS4 ,BUS9ESS DOES NOT ADMIT ( ANY 
DISPUTE AB\T RELIGI\S BELIEFS1 & BUS9ESS IS ! MA9 MATT]4 ,& SO 9 ! 
CAPITALI/ WORLD ONE MU/ TOL]ATE4 ,ALSO 9 ! CASE ( POLITICAL AFFAIRS4 

,! REAL COMMUNISM IS NOT TOL]ANT4 ,A COMMUNI/ WORK] :OSE DEEPE/ DESIRE 
IS TO BR+ HIS CLASS TO A /RONG UNITY ( ACTION DOES NOT TOL]ATE HAV+ HIS 
COMRADES REMA9 )\T UND]/&+ ( ! SOCIAL DEVELOPM5T4 ,HE KN[S ?AT 
SO LONG AS CL>ITY IS LACK+ REG>D+ SOCIETY1 ! M9D IS FILL$ ) SOME 
BELIEF OR UNBELIEF4 ,! CONV]SION ( A BELIEF TO AN EMPTY UNBELIEF DOES NOT 
BR+ HIS CLASS ANY /R5G?4 ,HE WILL SET AB\T ) ALL HIS P[] TO PROVIDE 
9SI<T1 CL>ITY1 UND]/&+ ( SOCIETY1 9SI<T 9TO ! GOAL & ! 
/RUGGLE ( ! WORK+ CLASS1 9 ORD] ?AT ! WORK]S MAY SEE ) CLE> EYES 
! REALITY OR ! WORLD BY :I* !IR DE/9Y IS DET]M9$4 ,IT IS !N ?AT 
! SUP]NATURAL TRADITIONS LOSE !IR =CE4 ,9 ?IS WAY ! UNITY ( ACTION ( 
ALL WORK]S AS A /RICTLY COH]5T & CONSCI\S CLASS IS PREP>$ & 
SECUR$4 

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,M>* #a1 #bba 3 ,COMMUNISM & ,RELIGION -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #h1 #bbb 3 ,COMMUNISM & ,RELIGION -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/