Well meeting was long and contentious, as the late Bill Shankley said - "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."
cofty do you follow the rest of Marx's programme or just the abolition of religion bit? To me it reads as though the abandonment of religion is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the emancipation of the oppressed masses. - Slimboyfat
To be honest I am no expert in matters of politics. I was interested to listen to Christopher Hitchens recently when he reminisced about his youthful devotion to radical Marxism. In retropsect he sees it not only as nonsense but as dangerous nonsense. Its easy to see the appeal of Marxist ideals but in the real world they seem to take no account of human nature and try to enforce on society how it "ought" to be rather than work pragmatically from where it is. And in the words of Forrest Gump "that's all I got to say 'bout that"
I have to agree with his general observation about religion though. Belief in an after-life and in justice to come is bound to have an effect on how hard society works to build a fairer world now. It's here that I have to take issue with your post PSacramento, I don't think this effect if reduced in any way if we are talking about personal religion or organised religion. Marx' main objection was to the analgesic effect of the false promises of religious belief rather than the control mechanisms of religious organisations.
We see this developing theme through the bible. In the OT there is a cosy assumption that the world is just and fair and that the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter etc. The books of Ecclesiastes and Job dare to challenge this and point out the harsh reality of the world where injustice prevails.
The concpet of rewards and punishments in an afterlife is a later post-exile development and combined with an apocalyptic expectation provides the perfect excuse to put up with things that we ought to rage against.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
"Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)
"rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." (1st Peter 4:12-13)
If this life is the totality of our lives, as I believe it is, then let's not make a virute out of enduring suffering - let's do everything in our power to stop it. Let's not forgive our enemies let's stop them in their tracks so we can get on with enjoying the remainder of our short lives.
Stop taking the opium, feel the pain of reality be empowered to make reality the best possible.