The mad history of the world - Michel Bounan
In this book first published in France in 2006, Michel Bounan recounts the history of the world according to a developmental schema defined not by modes of production, but by modes of “collective mental disorders”, specifically “socio-neuroses” corresponding to particular stages of human history (sedentary agricultural imperial civilization/phobia, classical capitalism/obsession, and the “society of the spectacle”/hysteria), and speculates that the catastrophic collapse of industrial society will result in a “true catharsis in which all particular neuroses are dissolved” and humanity will rediscover the lost “unitary consciousness” of our primitive ancestors.
Are these the ideas of a heretic? - Gustav Landauer
Like many other Jewish intellectuals of his day who sought to identify themselves as Jews, Landauer was estranged from the Jewish religion and communal institutions on the one hand, and yet was not satisfied with merely ethnic identification on the other. He was inspired by Martin Buber and his concept of a primal Jewish religiosity or spiritual sensibility that is independent of doctrine and ritual prescriptions.
No true human being can consider himself merely as a bridge for coming generations, as a preface, as seed and fertilizer. He wants to be somebody and to accomplish something. The mother tongue of some of my offspring will perhaps be Hebrew, perhaps; it does not affect me. My language and the language of my children is German.
Karl Marx: Early Writings
A collection of Marx's writings from 1843-1844. Arguably most notable among the writings is his Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts, though the collection contains other works such as On the Jewish Question.
"God didn't die, he was transformed into money" - An interview with Giorgio Agamben - Peppe Savà
A 2012 interview with the Italian philosopher, who expresses his views on the economic crisis, capitalism as a religion (Benjamin), the role of history in European cultural identity, “bio-politics”, the “state of exception”, and the fate of contemporary art (“trapped between the Scylla of the museum and the Charybdis of commodification”).
“God didn’t die, he was transformed into money” - An Interview with Giorgio Agamben – Peppe Savà
The Starvation Army: Twelve reasons to reject the Salvation Army
Twelve reasons why you should think twice about supporting the Salvation Army.
1. Upholding inequality.
Khamsin #08: Politics of religion in the Middle East
Eight issue of Khamsin with articles on Orientalism, Judaism and its attitude to non-Jews, Islam religion, zionism and secularism and more.
Religion - further reading guide
libcom.org's guide to further reading on religion.
* The Essence of Christianity - Ludwig Feuerbach
* A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. Introduction - Karl Marx
* The Peasant War in Germany - Friedrich Engels
* On Religion - Marx/Engels
* The God Pestilence - Johann Most
* Atheism in Christianity - Ernst Bloch
Almost a testament: Encounters with Pasolini - Peter Dragazde
A collection of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s observations and aphorisms on religion, politics and culture, based on transcripts of unpublished interviews held over a six-year period and revised by the controversial Italian poet, novelist, filmmaker and all-around political-cultural celebrity, in which Pasolini, who once notoriously proclaimed his sympathy for the “working class” policemen in their clashes with spoiled “middle class” students, expresses his eccentric views on America, Third World nationalism, China, Russia, a pope or two, his favorite filmmakers and poets, hippies, NATO’s involvement in the attempted coup d’état in Italy in 1964, etc.
Almost a Testament: Encounters with Pasolini1 - Peter Dragazde
- 1. Published in Gente, November 17, 1975.
Scepticism, class, and the 'New Atheists'
Submitted by Choccy on Aug 17 2013 19:44
With's Chomsky's appearance on a 'skeptic' podcast and in light of the recent comments by Dawkins and the reaction to them, including JK's blog post, it got me thinking about the relationship, or lack thereof, between 'scepticism', 'new atheism' and radical politics. Here's some garbled thoughts.
I mentioned Chomsky's appearance on Skeptically Speaking in a previous post. It turned my thoughts to scepticism/rationalism/humanism 1
- 1. I will lazily use these terms interchangeably, as in my experience although the terms may have slightly different emphases, the degree of overlap in how they're actually used, is so large as
The enemy of my enemy: organizing with the faith community
Submitted by Eviction Free Zone on Jul 21 2013 07:46
While many people's experience with organized religion has lead them to be critical, these are still the largest organized non-commercial entities in the world. Here is a look at the how and why of drawing in churches to organized housing resistance and justice work, as well as an entire range as we shift to a larger anti-austerity movement.
The idea of an equitable housing model, which is really just one that ensures safe and affordable housing for everyone in a community, is not something that can happen simply by the engagement of a few committed people. Transformation in a neighborhood, as in any struggle, comes from the mass participation of affected people and the social circles to which they are connected.
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