Not really. Socialism is a broad term with a lot of meanings. People often assume socialism requires antitheism because specific Communists venerated the state above all, and pointed to religion as a competing priority. Marxism was born in a context where the Church was seen as the ultimate authority. Monarchs and oligarchs claimed divinity as their reason to rule above all. Casting off classism meant defying thousands of years of faith-based indoctrination.
Today, most capitalist nations are ostensibly secular, or at least exist in cooperation with faith in a way that permits pluralism. Boundaries are strictly geographical, and cultural and ideological exchanges can occur between almost anyone almost anywhere. Governmental authority in most countries is no longer linked to religious faith, so socialist ideals do not necessarily need to contradict any particular religion. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.
Not really. Socialism is a broad term with a lot of meanings. People often assume socialism requires antitheism because specific Communists venerated the state above all, and pointed to religion as a competing priority. Marxism was born in a context where the Church was seen as the ultimate authority. Monarchs and oligarchs claimed divinity as their reason to rule above all. Casting off classism meant defying thousands of years of faith-based indoctrination.
Today, most capitalist nations are ostensibly secular, or at least exist in cooperation with faith in a way that permits pluralism. Boundaries are strictly geographical, and cultural and ideological exchanges can occur between almost anyone almost anywhere. Governmental authority in most countries is no longer linked to religious faith, so socialist ideals do not necessarily need to contradict any particular religion. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.
Great post!