Communism Quote by Jonah Goldberg
““When God “died” in the 19th century, “social-ism” took the form of materialist scientism (hence the philosopher Eric Voegelin’s observation that under Marxism, “Christ the Redeemer is replaced by the steam engine as the promise of the realm to come”). It’s worth recalling that both Marx and Engels came to their socialism via their atheism, not the other way around.””
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “The Death of God in the 19th Century,” 2015
The loss of religious belief in the 19th century led to materialist ideologies filling the void, with Marxism emerging from atheistic roots.
In simple terms: Secular ideas replaced religious hope, shaping politics.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the philosophical roots of modern ideologies.
Themes
history
philosophy
political theory
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- political activism
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
materialism
Marxism
atheism
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives societies to replace faith with ideology?
- Can secular systems provide moral grounding?
A Different Perspective
Atheism alone doesn't cause socialism; many factors intersect.
![“[Under Marxism] Christ the Redeemer is replaced by the steam engine as the promise of the realm to come.” quote by Eric Voegelin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/041/eric-voegelin-27612_quote_under-marxism-christ-the-redeemer-is-rep_1748906.jpg)
