Considering the grand narrative established by Lenin’s interpretation of Marx’s doctrine is imperative for disseminating what is sacred and what is profane in Leninism. He observed from Marx’s doctrine that all of history has been a class struggle between the oppressors—the bourgeoisie—and those being oppressed—the proletariat. (195) The goal of Communism was to engage in class warfare and uproot the “tyranny and despotism” the proletariat faced. The Bolshevik leader stated that Communism is based on, “the scientific, and moreover, materialist world-outlook” which operated through anti-capitalist and anti-religious propaganda, as well as revolution, in order to achieve a utopia. (196) With this in mind, the sacred aspects of Leninism become …show more content…
In fact, Lenin had no issue with religious people joining the Party, so long as they didn’t talk about or practice their faith. However, Lenin did consider there to be a singular initiation rite: becoming class-conscious. Lenin wrote incessantly about the class-conscious worker because it was only through this self-realization that they may be baptized into the Party. From that point, they could understand grand narrative of Communism and partake in movement against evil—the bourgeoisie. Durkheim also considered the Church to be an essential part of religion. Lenin and the Bolsheviks didn’t go to temple on Saturdays, nor did they attend Sunday morning mass. The Church of Leninism took another, more revolutionary form. Instead of priests distributing Eucharists to the masses, the Bolsheviks would distribute propaganda pamphlets to the proletariat. Instead of reciting psalms in a cathedral, the Bolsheviks would shout versus of Marx in the streets. Instead of partaking in a tradition, the Bolsheviks would strike and revolt. All of these actions, while not necessarily typically of a faith, categorize Leninism as a religion because their were people gathered practicing their belief system. This wasn’t a small movement either. In 1914, just two years after Lenin became the head of the Bolshevik Party, 647,000 class-conscious workers were involved in political strikes in Russia. The political strikes tested the strength of Lenin’s Church and it rose above the Russian government. These political strikes provided Lenin and the Bolsheviks with opportunities to share their beliefs, which withstood substantial pressure. While these were larger events, the Bolsheviks engaged in religious activities very frequently. For example, Lenin’s speeches were attended by thousands. At these events, the Bolsheviks listened to their prophet and discussed their beliefs, very similar to an actual