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An anti-clerical policy of Socialism
Luxemburg, Rosa
http://www.connexions.org/CxArchive/MIA/luxemburg/1903/01/01.htmhttp://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1903/01/01.htm Publisher: Le Mouvement socialiste Year Published: 1903 Resource Type: Article Cx Number: CX7959 According to Luxemburg, "the incessant guerrilla warfare waged for the last ten years against the priests is for French middle-class Republicans one of the best ways of turning away the attention of the working-class from social questions, and of weakening the class struggle." Abstract: - Luxemburg writes: "When one speaks of an anti-clerical policy of Socialism, it is evident that it is not intended to attack religious convictions from a Socialistic point of view.... That 'religion is a private affair' only compels us to be neutral and not to take part in religious questions, when these only refer to intimate convictions and to the conscience. But this rule has another meaning, it not only constitutes a directing principle which should determine the proper conduct of Socialists, but it is an appeal addressed to the actual State. In the name of liberty of conscience, we demand the abolition of all public privileges which believers enjoy to the disadvantage of unbelievers, and we will assail all efforts attempted by the Church to become a dominating power in the State. It is not here a matter of conviction but of politics, and in this point the Socialist Parties of different countries can, according to circumstances, adopt very different tactics." Subject Headings |