Devin K wrote:
>> In looking at the Lenin readings he seems to treat Marxism andlike> a religion and its ideas like the bible. It doesn't seem like he> sees Marxism as a philosophy or a theory but as solid truth. Thisis> probably why he was so critical at times of individuals like> Bukharin who tried to reinterpret Marxist ideas. It just seems> strange that such an intelligent person can put so much faith inthe> ideas of one individual
Hey Devin,
I just wanted to take two minutes to give a short answer to whatyou wrote. Lenin did not treat Marxism like a religion in any way. Religion isbased on pure faith, it is a dead letter with no scientific character, while Marxism is based on scientific study. Lenin was known for being a pragmatist, looking to adapt Marxist theory to present realities that is the only way that we can explain his differences with the Mensheviks; Professor H pointed out how hewas a bigger revisionist than Bernstein. There may be people that can memorize the writings of Marx like Bernstein or even Bukharin, but the problem is that at a certain point of their lives they tried to tame, castrate or domesticate it. While others tried to sell out Marxism, to adapt it to the capitalist system, Lenin learned from it and led the first successful proletarian revolution in history. This is not the work of a mere "theologian". What is Marxism if not the theory of revolution?
PS. "Individuals" like Bukharin led the right wing of the Bolshevik party, seeking to give more power to the kulaks. He also came up with anti-Marxist theories like "socialism in one country", what gave the justification for the conservative bureaucracy under Stalin to hold power; And other "great ideas" that would ultimately promote the reestablishment of capitalism.