International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Feminism and the soul of secularism

Rahila Gupta — 2011-04-18T08:27:27Z

Secularism, as a concept, appears to be in danger from both the left and the right. Among feminists, it tends to be only some minority women scrambling for the soul of secularism. It is time for all feminists to muck in, says Rahila Gupta

- Marxism and Religion / Women, Religion, Debate section

The rise of Europe's religious right

Sophie in 't Veld — 2011-04-18T08:27:03Z

Europe is generally regarded as the most secularised continent in the world. But in few EU member states is there a complete separation between church and state. The old interweaving of religious and worldly authority still makes itself felt in many countries today.

- Marxism and Religion / Europe, Religion

Three discourses on Political Islam in the Middle East

Farooq Sulehria — 2011-04-04T12:48:00Z

It was a Russian Jew who set communism on foot in Egypt but his efforts were assisted by the British General Staff Intelligence Department which succeeded in 1919 in obtaining from the grand mufti, Shaikh Muhammad Bakhit, a fatwa against Bolshevism. The effect was directly contrary to what it had anticipated. Some newspapers attacked the fatwa and defended the Bolsheviks.

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, Egypt, Religion, Debate section, Saudi Arabia

Eleven Theses on the Resurgence of Islamic Fundamentalism

Gilbert Achcar — 2006-09-24T11:23:38Z

Given the renewed discussion, we are producing this 1981 document, which stands the test of time. The “theses” were circulated widely and have been translated into many languages. Their success was due to the fact that they gave a Marxist analysis of a phenomenon that was then still relatively new. The current resurgence of Islamic fundamentalism dates from the 1970s, and reached its first crescendo, after years of underground activity, with the Iranian revolution of 1979.

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, MENA (Middle East/North Africa), Fourth International, Religion, Debate section

Islam and the Left - a reply to Salma Yaqoob

A friend from Iran — 2005-12-13T13:58:32Z

An Iranian reader takes sharp issue with Salma Yaqoob's October article on Islam and the Left.

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, Religion, Iran, Debate section

Islam and the left

Salma Yaqoob — 2005-10-25T17:44:49Z

Salma Yaqoob, a founder member of Respect and a leading Muslim anti-war activist in Britain spoke at the SWP's Marxism event in London a few days after the London bombings on July 7 on Muslims and the left.

- Marxism and Religion / Religion, Debate section

Marxism and Religion

Michael Löwy — 2005-06-01T07:38:00Z

The Marxist view of religion has been greatly over-simplified, typically identified with the well-worn refrain that it's the “opiate of the people”. Michael Löwy challenges this misconception, and presents us with a much more nuanced view of Marxism and religion.

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, Religion, Debate section

Alliances and Coalitions in Britain: ˜Stop the War” and “Respect”

Jane Kelly, Karen O'Toole — 2005-04-16T18:11:38Z

Two members of the leadership of the ISG in Britain take issue with criticisms which Gilbert Achcar made of Trotskyists in Britain.

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, Britain, Religion, Debate section

Why we should defend Secularism

Alex Cowper — 2005-03-31T21:55:41Z

Religion is not simply an expression of alienation, it is a protest against it. Religion is not just â€˜the opium of the people', according to Marx, it is â€˜the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world.'

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, Britain, Religion

Marxists and Religion - yesterday and today

Gilbert Achcar — 2005-03-16T19:45:36Z

Achcar's survey ranges from basic principles, the disputes over the hijab, to the policies of the French and British far left organisations - some of which he finds "unacceptable from a Marxist point of view."

- Marxism and Religion / Marxism, Religion