When King Charles I was executed in 1649 CE – the ‘Commonwealth of England’ was formed as a ‘Republic’ free of absolute monarchy and State Religion. Britain is still free of absolute monarchy – but once again possesses a State Religion (the ‘Church of England’). When the British terrorists (and their allies) overthrew the sovereignty of the British government in 1776 CE – one of the first acts of the so-called ‘Founding Fathers’ of the ‘United States’ was to abolish State Religion and like Cromwell – declare a ‘Secular’ tolerance toward all religious providing these religions abided by the strictures of secular law. During the French Revolution of 1789 CE – absolute monarchy and State Religion were abolished throughout France! During the short-lived ‘Paris Commune’ of 1871 CE – a separation between Church and State was maintained – together with a profound reject of monarchy.
When Marx and Engels compiled their text entitled ‘Manifesto of the Communist Party‘ during late 1847 and early 1848 – they maintained the Revolutionary tradition of separating ‘Church from State” (and ‘Classroom from Church’) – partly because they had seen this system work so wll in the US! Religion was NOT ‘banned’ per se during the Bourgeis Revolutions of the world – but rather individuals representing the religious establishment were prevented from holding secular, political office. This prevented the Religious Authorities from influencing the development of the (secular) political process to their own benefit. If the serfs and peasants were starving – then this ‘starvation’ would be permitted and vindicated by the Church as being a manifestation of ‘God’s Will’ – providing the labour of the starving masses was benefitting the Church itself! In such circumstances, there would be no reason to change these crushing social conditions.
Religion in a Bourgeois and Socialist society is reduced to that of a ‘private’, ‘individual’ pursuit – free of any political entanglement or promotion. Religion may be studied and practiced – but at no time can religion be used to achieve political promotion in the secular world. Just as is the case in China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and North Korea – religion is not suppressed – but it is regulated, just as it is in the US! The US-inspired Hong Kong rioters are being granted ‘Golden Visas’ for immediate resettlement in the UK (but only in affluent, middle-class areas that most ordinary British people have no access to) – on the grounds that these so-called ‘Christians’ are facing religious persecution in ‘Communist’ controlled Hong Kong! Obviously, this is the usual US anti-intellectual ‘lie’ that has been used for decades to sully and disparage the Socialist System!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 