Religion and Socialism
Radlett, Herts.
To the Editor of the Socialist Standard.
Dear Editor,
The article in your December number, under the title “Religion, Ethics, and Socialism,’' seems to me to involve some contradictions. You appear to throw doubt on the attitude of Secularists or Rationalists, who have claimed that the freeing of the human mind from the thraldom of religious superstition is a part of man’s necessary development. Yet, at the same time, you criticise the Church for trying to combine religion with ethics.
I hold that to destroy the religious basis of belief (still unconsciously held by many of those who have no part in the work of orthodox churches) is necessary. As it stands, religion is a valuable instrument of those whose motto is “divide and rule." For examples, see Ireland, India, and Palestine. If some people tend to concentrate on that aspect of the freeing of mankind, why criticise them? There is room in this troubled world for all who assist, in any way, towards the light.
Yours fraternally,
John Rowland.
Reply.
Surely no contradiction is involved in exposing the fallacies of both clergy and secularists, notwithstanding they are in mutual opposition. In the article our correspondent refers to, we show that in general the ethics practised in a period correspond to the social conditions prevalent; while the Church clajins them as part of the gospel and uses them to bolster up its superstitious beliefs, the secularists, on the other hand, accept the ethics, but deny the beliefs
They not only accept the ethics, they accept also the conditions that determine them. The class ownership of the means of life and the resulting poverty and enslavement of the working class.
If our correspondent reads the article more carefully he will find it difficult to substantiate his statement that we appear to throw doubt on the necessity to free the human mind from the thraldom of religion. On the contrary, we combat religion whenever it cuts across our path. The article he complains of is proof of this, and our criticism of the secularists is that they claim that Socialism can make no headway with the workers until religion has been eradicated from their minds. We deny this claim completely. The bulk of the workers are quite capable of understanding Socialism when it is clearly explained to them. Being indifferent to religion, it follows that they are not influenced by it when considering economic questions. If they have a basis of religious belief “unconsciously" held, why should they be jerked out of it only to be dragged into the futile and endless controversy on the question: God or no God?
Our correspondent's example of ruling-class policy "divide and rule’’ is typical of the secularist attitude. One section of the ruling class dominating less powerful sections of the same class is, to them, an outrage. But if the workers of those countries understood Socialism they could not be dragged into a conflict over the interests of their respective masters.
Our correspondent may chose to concentrate on freeing mankind from religion, as others concentrate on intemperance, gambling, or even Fascism, but this “troubled world” will remain troubled and confused until the workers understand Socialism. The need for this understanding becomes daily more urgent. The terrific struggle for markets that is on the way, and the threat of atomic warfare stresses the urgency.
Because it is urgent, because it is the only way, those who already ”see the light” should ignore the carrots dangled under their noses, or the red herrings drawn across their path, and get on with the Job of making Socialists.
F. Foan
"Wellwisher."
We are grateful for some useful suggestions on the leaflet, but your suggested improvements of the wording of the Declaration of Principles would seriously distort the meaning.
Ed. Comm.
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