religion.”
—“To be a true communist you have to be an atheist.”
—“Communism will supplant religion and will keep you warm and
give you all the comforts of healthful living.”
—“Religious people fear facts and resort to such things as
prayer to end war, but prayers are actually futile and leave
war to the capitalists while people sit around praying.”
4. _Final goal_: the utter elimination of all religion (called “bourgeois
remnants”) from the heart, mind, and soul of man, and the total victory
of atheistic communism. Religious attitudes keep cropping up, however,
even in the trained member. One individual admitted that it had taken him
a long time to give up his religion. “It was one of the hardest parts of
my Party development.”
Even in Soviet Russia, after a generation of the most bitter propaganda,
religion is far from exterminated. “One of the most widespread traces
of the past in the minds of the people,” said one Soviet writer, “is
religious superstition and darkness, survivals of the old, antiscientific
conceptions of nature, society and of man himself.” He adds, “The
historic victories of atheism in our country do not mean, however,
that religion is over and done with. There are still among us no few
believers, i.e., people who continue to remain in the fetters of
religion.”
To combat these religious “remnants,” says this Soviet writer,
more antireligious propaganda is needed. “... forming an advanced,
materialist outlook in the rising generation and combating every type
of superstition and religious belief make up a most important sector in
the fight for the communist education of youth.” Another Soviet writer
states, “Convincing, profoundly reasoned propaganda of atheism which does
not offend the feelings of believers is the main characteristic of all
antireligious work at the present moment.”
Here, then, is the fight the communist leaders wage. We do not believe
they can ever win it. These so-called “religious survivals” represent
something far deeper in man than the communists can grant: some eternal
reaching toward a creative source. But if the Party does not realize
the true nature and strength of these “survivals,” it does realize that
religion is its most potent foe. To meet this challenge no hesitant,
indifferent, half-apologetic acts on our own part can suffice. Out of the
deep roots of religion flows something warm and good, the affirmation of
love and justice; here is the source of strength for our land if we are
to remain free. It is ours to defend and to nourish.
24.
_How to Stay Free_
The communist revolution in Russia is forty years behind us. In these
four decades communism has had a chance to show what it does with
power in its hands; how it treats the people who live under it; what
its attitudes are toward law, education, science, and religion; how it
handles its relations with the noncommunist world. It stands condemned on
its own record. It has revealed basic errors in theory and practice which
will eventually bring about its downfall. To turn around Karl Marx’s
famous comment on capitalism, communism is digging its own grave. It
cannot survive because it is anti-God and anti-man.
For all too long, communism’s true character has been concealed by its
own propaganda, abetted by public ignorance and apathy. Soviet Russia was
hailed as an “advanced democracy” and communism as “twentieth-century
Americanism.” Such phrases deceived free people and gave the Party a
protective cloak.
Marxism-Leninism stands revealed not as a “new world” of hope and justice
but as an evil conspiracy in pursuit of power. Its cost in human misery
and waste of human life is almost beyond description. Every home in
America today is deprived of an even higher standard of living as a
result of the tax burden brought on by the utter necessity of keeping our
defenses strong against the world-wide advance of communism.
Time has also erased the label of “scientific” from Marxist-Leninist
ideology. The communist claim of “infallible” has proved to be all
too fallible time and again. The revolution began not in a highly
industrialized state but in a backward, tyranny-ridden land where
communism meant the substitution of an even more vicious brand of
tyranny. It was conducted not as a “dictatorship of the proletariat” but
as a dictatorship by dictators who rode roughshod over the workingman.
Stalin, in the middle 1930’s, contended that socialism was at last
fully established in Russia and that the movement from then on would be
toward the second stage which Marx had foretold: true communism and the
withering away of the state. Even as Stalin spoke, in terms designed to
attract idealists, he was making the state ever more powerful. After his
death, with the “New Look” and the Khrushchev “thaw,” the trend has not
been reversed.
Khrushchev gives the answer to those who still repeat the shabby,
deceitful phrases of communist dogma, when he desanctifies Stalin one day
and on the next day rehabilitates him as a good communist. After all,
Stalin during his life was the Chief Executioner, and Khrushchev did
his bidding, along with many of his associates who rule Russia today.
Khrushchev’s answer should never be forgotten, because by his own words
the alleged “paradise of human joy” was, in fact, a world of slave labor
camps, betrayed human rights, and calculated fear.
The answer also comes from Mao Tse-tung, the Chinese communist dictator
who, without apparent shame, admitted that 800,000 of his fellow
countrymen had been liquidated between 1949 and the beginning of 1954.
The answer further comes from the Hungarian Freedom Fighters of 1956, who
with bare hands attacked the steel of Soviet tanks.
The answer finally comes from those Americans who were victimized by the
communist deception of claiming credit for reforms and advances which
the Party did not deserve. Most informed Americans now know that the
communists adopt a cause only to exploit it for their own ends. Communism
does not mean better housing, improved social conditions, or a more
strict observance of civil rights. The vast majority of Negro leaders
have rebuffed the communists’ attempts to exploit them. By forcing Party
members out of positions of authority and even from union membership,
true trade unionists have shown their awareness that communists seek to
disrupt the legitimate mission of labor unions.
Communism, in brief, has bitterly indicted communism; communist practice
has indicted communist theory; communist actions have indicated the
perverted use of such lofty words as “peace,” “justice,” and “liberty.”
But we cannot afford the luxury of waiting for communism to run its
course like other oppressive dictatorships. The weapons of communism are
still formidable. They become even more effective when we lower our guard
and when we become lax in strengthening our democratic institutions in
perfecting the American dream.
The call of the future must be a rekindled American faith, based on our
priceless heritage of freedom, justice, and the religious spirit.
In our reawakening, we Americans can learn a great deal from the fight
against communism. Here are five special areas:
1. The communists emphasize _ideological study_, meaning, of course,
Marxism-Leninism. Such study has been the very foundation of their
“monolithic unity”: their power to keep people in line no matter how the
“line” changes. Their study allows no deviation for free thought and
independent action. Also, it provides them with a “common language” since
all communists give the same meaning to words and acts. This emphasis
upon study has been the means whereby they have captured the minds of
some of our young people who read and think and who are lacking in proper
companionship.
It is sad but true that many young people have been drawn into
communist clubs or study groups. Often they are highly intellectual
but lonely students and fall under a sinister influence. We know this
from the experiences of hundreds of former communists and from acts of
near-treason we have been called upon to investigate.
American education, of course, does not make communists; communist
education does. Communism, to survive, must depend upon a constant
program of education, because communism needs educated people, even
though it distorts the use to which their education is put. Thus, we
need to show our young people, particularly those endowed with high
intellects, that we in our democracy need what they have to offer.
We, as a people, have not been sufficiently articulate and forceful in
expressing pride in our traditions and ideals. In our homes and schools
we need to learn how to “let freedom ring.” In all the civilized world
there is no story which compares with America’s effort to become free and
to incorporate freedom in our institutions. This story, told factually
and dramatically, needs to become the basis for our American unity and
for our unity with all free peoples. I am sure most Americans believe
that our light of freedom is a shining light. As Americans we should
stand up, speak of it, and let the world see this light, rather than
conceal it. For too long we have had a tendency to keep silent while the
communists, their sympathizers, and their fellow travelers have been
telling the world what is wrong with democracy. Suppose every American
spent a little time each day, less than the time demanded by the
communists, in studying the Bible and the basic documents of American
history, government, and culture? The result would be a new America,
vigilant, strong, but ever humble in the service of God.
2. Then there is the training of _youth_, on whom the communists place
so much emphasis. To the Party, youth is not something auxiliary but an
important training ground. We must meet this challenge. America must
devote the best of her efforts to make youth responsible, conscious
of its obligations, and eager to be good citizens. Experience and
observation point to certain facts which we need to consider in providing
for youth.
First, youth gravitates toward youth. The young person who feels left
out may remain a “solitary.” Or he may, according to his background and
make-up, join a delinquent gang. He may join a Party front or club. Or he
may find some other short cut to a sense of belonging. But every American
youth has a right to find some place within a group that expresses rather
than contradicts the real values of society.
Second, given half a chance, youth gravitates toward companionship
with competent, generous, and experienced adults. Practically all my
life I have been face to face with young people becoming involved in
difficulties or coming under the communist spell. Invariably I have
discovered that they all had one thing in common. In their early years
and in the periods of their lives when their transgressions began to take
form, they could not talk things over with their parents. Their parents
were either too busy, or not interested, or resented any difference of
opinion. Or parents simply doled out “final” answers when the young
people wanted to try to think things through.
Our youth want not only to talk to adults, they want to work with adults.
It is a fine thing for them to have their own groups, but it is better
if, in addition, they can participate in shared projects with adults.
If the adults can show, in action, that it is possible to combine high
idealism with solid practicality and patience, the results will enhance
character and citizenship development manyfold.
3. The communists stress _action_. This means carrying out our
responsibilities now—not tomorrow, the next day, or never. To communists
the Party means continual action, not just talk, waiting for annual
elections, meetings, or affairs. With us action must supplement good
intentions in building the America of the future. We need to provide our
youth with activity groups. To give them only a high standard of material
advantages or a constant diet of recreation is not enough. Recreation
must be made part of a life of responsibility, otherwise it becomes
merely a preface to boredom. Our young people, as well as adults, need to
be working members of our republic and citizens on duty at all times.
4. Communists accent the _positive_. In their deceptive and perverted way
they are always purporting to stand for something positive. “Better,”
“higher,” etc., are trade-marks in their language. We, too, in the true
sense of the word, should strive for goals that are genuinely better,
higher, and more noble, trying to improve self, community, and nation. A
strictly negative attitude or the philosophy of just staying afloat—all
too common today—will never meet the impact of the communist challenge.
5. Most important of all is _faith_. Let us not blind ourselves to the
fact that communists do have a “faith.” True, it is falsely placed, but
still it inspires them to sacrifice, devotion, and a perverted idealism.
The late Mother Bloor, the Party’s woman “hero,” often praised Walt
Whitman’s “The Mystic Trumpeter” as the poem she loved best. It seemed,
she said, to prophesy the coming of a “new world”:
War, sorrow, suffering gone—the rank earth purged—nothing but joy left!
The ocean fill’d with joy—the atmosphere all joy!
Joy! joy! in freedom, worship, love! joy in the ecstasy of life!
Enough to merely be! enough to breathe! Joy! joy! all over joy!
She is trying to identify communism with the dream of a world of joy. She
is exploiting Walt Whitman. Yet her feeling shows the lure of communist
“faith.” If communists can be so inspired from error, falsehood, and
hate, just think what we could do with truth, justice, and love! I thrill
to think of the even greater wonders America could fashion from its rich,
glorious, and deep tradition. All we need is faith, _real faith_.
The communist prides himself on being a revolutionary—and revolutionary
he is in the sense of destruction, terror, and violence. Free man can
learn here too: the truly revolutionary force of history is not material
power but the spirit of religion. The world today needs a true revolution
of the fruitful spirit, not the futile sword. Hypocrisy, dishonesty,
hatred, all these must be destroyed and man must rule by love, charity,
and mercy.
The Party’s effort to create “communist man,” to mold a revolutionary
fighter completely subservient to the Party’s desires, is destined to
fail. The power of bullets, tanks, and repression will bulwark tyranny
just so long. Then, as the Hungarian Freedom Fighters proved, man’s
innate desire for freedom will flare up stronger than ever. In communism
we see what happens when freedom is extinguished. This must give us
renewed zeal to work untiringly to uphold the ideals of justice and
liberty which have made this nation great.
With God’s help, America will remain a land where people still know how
to be free and brave.
GLOSSARY
and
BIBLIOGRAPHY
_Glossary_
This glossary contains terms frequently used by communists. Their
meanings are derived largely from communist “classics,” or books written
by Marx, Engels, Lenin, and Stalin (For a more complete definition of
communist “classics,” see Bibliography, page 328.)
BOLSHEVIK:
1. Refers to a type of communist organization, namely, Lenin’s Party, of
a small, selective membership, comprised of highly trained professional
revolutionaries insolubly linked to each other by the deepest
revolutionary convictions and discipline. The term “bolshevik” stems from
the Russian word _bolshinstvo_, meaning majority. In the 1903 Congress
of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party, a dispute occurred over
whether membership should be tightly controlled (Lenin’s idea) or be open
to sympathizers also. Lenin’s opinion was accepted. Hence, his supporters
became known as Bolsheviks (majority); his opponents as Mensheviks
(minority).
2. Refers to a certain type of Party member, namely, the model, heroic,
ideal type of communist. It is a term of high praise and distinction
for communists, signifying superiority and mastery of the qualities of
revolutionary leadership, efficiency, courage. Hence the terms “bolshevik
courage,” “bolshevik culture,” “bolshevik discipline.” “Bolshevization of
the Party” means to make the Party a model of communist perfection.
BOURGEOISIE:
Term applied to the “capitalist” class, which includes not only the
wealthy but also middle-class people. Sometimes “petty bourgeoisie”
is used to distinguish small businessmen, minor government officials,
etc., from the more wealthy “capitalists” and high-ranking officials.
To communists the bourgeoisie is a class enemy which must be destroyed.
“Bourgeois” is the adjective form of bourgeoisie, hence, “bourgeois
virtue.” So used, the word describes anything or anybody whom communists
would ridicule or hold in contempt. The term “bourgeois survivals,”
or “bourgeois remnants,” refers to so-called “capitalist” (that is,
noncommunist) attitudes and institutions not yet obliterated by communism.
CADRE:
The trusted inner circle of trained members and leaders on whom the Party
can depend to carry out its policies and programs without any questions
or objections. From cadres will emerge functionaries, officials,
organizers. “The Party cadres constitute the commanding staff of the
Party....” (_Stalin_)
CAPITALISM:
To communists, capitalism is an economic system based on the private
ownership of property, the private control of the means of production,
and the private accumulation and use of profits. As such, communists
consider capitalism to be a form of exploitation of man by man. To
them, capitalism is the last economic system of exploitation in the
social evolution of man. Born as the result of overthrowing feudalism,
capitalism, in turn, from its own inner contradictions, will be succeeded
by socialism as a transitory stage that will end in a world communist
society.
CENTRISM:
A term of contempt to communists, signifying those who try to pursue
a “middle-of-the-road” position, thereby denying full and undeviating
obedience to the Party line. “... and finally, there are the
‘Centrists,’ those who wobble between the ‘Lefts’ and the Rights....
Centrism is a political concept. Its ideology is one of adaptation, of
subordination of the interests of the proletariat to the interests of
the petty-bourgeoisie in the _same_ party. This ideology is alien and
contrary to Leninism.” (_Stalin_)
CHAUVINISM:
A term of bad repute to communists signifying that one nation, race,
group, or individual assumes an attitude of biased superiority. Within
the Party structure chauvinism (which can occur in various forms) often
results in disciplinary action and becomes a weapon whereby the ruling
clique can bring charges against opponents for the purpose of weakening
or destroying them.
CLASS:
By the word “class,” communists mean a section of a given population that
occupies a specific relation to the means of production. For example,
the capitalists own land, mines, factories, and the like. The workers
or laborers do not own such possessions but work on the land and in the
mines and factories. Therefore, there are two main classes in society:
(1) the capitalist or bourgeoisie, and (2) the wage-earners or working
class or proletariat. The communists admit that in highly developed
capitalist nations (as the United States) there is another group, the
“middle class” or “petty bourgeoisie,” composed of minor merchants, small
farmers, professional people, small businessmen, etc. The communists
believe the “middle class” can be influenced to support the proletariat.
CLASS STRUGGLE:
To the communists the two basic classes in capitalist society, the
bourgeoisie and proletariat, are in constant and inevitable economic
conflict. This struggle is a continuation of the age-old conflict, say
the communists, between the exploiters and the exploited; the rulers and
the ruled; those who own the means of production and the great masses
of the people who possess nothing but their capacity for laboring. In
the early days this class struggle was between the slave owner and
the slave (slavery), later between the feudal lords and the serfs
(feudalism). Eventually, the communists claim, the capitalists will be
defeated through violent revolution; and by applying the dictatorship of
the proletariat, communist society will be established. The communists
are constantly encouraging class struggle, trying to increase social,
economic, and political tensions. To them class struggle is an agency for
promoting communism. “Can the capitalists be forced out and the roots
of capitalism be annihilated without a bitter class struggle? No, it is
impossible.” (_Stalin_)
COMMUNISM (MARXIST SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISM):
A system of thought and action originated by Karl Marx and Friedrich
Engels, developed by V. I. Lenin, continued by Joseph Stalin and
his successors. This system advocates, among other things: (1) a
materialistic explanation of the origin of man and the universe; (2)
a comprehensive economic interpretation of history centering about
the class struggle; (3) abolition of the noncommunist state, which is
conceived to be an instrument of exploitation; (4) a revolutionary
theory, method, and a flexible course of action to overthrow the state
and the capitalistic system; (5) a moral code based on utility; on
nonsupernatural class concepts; (6) abolition of all religions; (7) a
world-wide communist revolution; and (8) a world-wide communist society.
COMMUNISM (primitive):
A type of communal living reported to have existed in early stages of
man’s history. To Marxists there was no private ownership, hence, no
class divisions, class exploitation, or state mechanism.
COMMUNISM (stages of development):
Marxism-Leninism says communism will develop through two basic stages:
_First or lower stage_ (called socialism), which is the type of society
that will be formed immediately after the communist revolution. This is
an “impure” communist society, freshly emerged from the violent conflict
and bearing, in the words of Marx, “... in every respect, economic, moral
and intellectual, the birthmarks of the old society from whose womb it is
issuing.” In this phase, organs of the state (such as police, army, etc.)
are necessary and are exercised by the dictatorship of the proletariat,
crushing the opposition of the bourgeoisie. During this transitory
stage the main principle will be “from each according to his ability,
to each according to his work.” (This is the stage of the dictatorship
of the proletariat, symbolized by the terrorism that now prevails in
all communist countries.) However, after an unspecified period of time
(just when, no communist can say), as people become indoctrinated to the
principles of Marxism-Leninism, all the capitalistic characteristics
will disappear and the state will slowly “wither away” as the threshold
of the _higher or final stage_ (communism) will be reached. This stage
will be stateless, classless, godless, where all property will be held
in common and human activities will conform to the principle “from each
according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” The lower
phase implies controlled, planned, and ordered work; the higher, free
association and voluntary work. (This false appeal to a communist Utopia
is one of the Party’s most potent weapons for deception.)
COMPROMISE (MANEUVER, CONCESSIONS):
Tactics whereby, in order to promote the ultimate goal of communism,
adjustments and temporary agreements can be made with the enemy, that is,
the noncommunist world. “Concessions do not mean peace with capitalism,
but war on a new plane.” (_Lenin_)
DEMOCRACY: