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'''Communism''' is an economic system, social organization, and [[leftist]] political movement. Historian [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]] has described how the "rise of fascism and communism illustrate vividly the fallacies of the linear conception of Right and Left. In certain basic respects - a [[totalitarian]] state structure, a single party, a leader, a secret police, a hatred of political, cultural and intellectual freedom - fascism and communism are clearly more like each other than they are like anything in between.<ref>[http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schlesinger-notrightleft.html Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center], [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]], ''New York Times Magazine'', April 4, 1948.</ref>

'''Communism''' is an economic system, social organization, and [[leftist]] political movement. Historian [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]] has described how the "rise of fascism and communism illustrate vividly the fallacies of the linear conception of Right and Left. In certain basic respects - a [[totalitarian]] state structure, a single party, a leader, a secret police, a hatred of political, cultural and intellectual freedom - fascism and communism are clearly more like each other than they are like anything in between.<ref>[http://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/schlesinger-notrightleft.html Not Right, Not Left, But a Vital Center], [[Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.]], ''New York Times Magazine'', April 4, 1948.</ref>

However, by the strict sence of communism, no truly communist society has ever existed as communism by definition is a stateless [[society]]. Although countries has claimed to be a communist state, it was not true communsim, as the term '[[communist]] state' is infact an oxymoron. Thus it is not possible to strictly condemn communism based on examples, as none have ever existed.  

However, by the strict sense of communism, no truly communist society has ever existed as communism by definition is a stateless [[society]]. Although countries has claimed to be a communist state, it was not true communism, as the term "communist state" is in fact an oxymoron. Thus it is not possible to strictly condemn communism based on examples, as none have ever existed.  

While Communism calls for the absence of personal ownership and claims to support a communal society in the abstract, the practical reality of communism is strikingly different.  

While Communism calls for the absence of personal ownership and claims to support a communal society in the abstract, the practical reality of communism is strikingly different.  

As a political movement, communism advocates the establishment of a classless society.  

As a political movement, communism advocates the establishment of a classless society.  

== Communism and Atrocities and Repression ==

== Communism and Atrocities and Repression ==

Modern communist regimes have engaged in mass killings on a scale of millions of individuals. <ref>http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/comfaq.htm#part3</ref>  A work entitled ''[[The Black Book of Communism]]'' published by the [[Harvard]] Press focuses on the crimes, terror, and repression of modern communist regimes over a 70 year period. <ref>http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/COUBLA.html</ref> This book is fairly controversial partly due to the various estimates regarding the millions of people who died under communist regimes. <ref>http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526</ref><ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Stalin</ref><ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Mao</ref>   

Modern communist regimes have engaged in mass killings on a scale of millions of individuals. <ref>http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/comfaq.htm#part3</ref>  A work entitled ''[[The Black Book of Communism]]'' published by the [[Harvard]] Press focuses on the crimes, terror, and repression of modern communist regimes over a 70 year period. <ref>http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/COUBLA.html</ref> This book is fairly controversial partly due to the various estimates regarding the millions of people who died under communist regimes. <ref>http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526</ref><ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Stalin</ref><ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Mao</ref>   

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In North Korea communist abuse and killing in prison camps is occuring today. <ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=5596</ref><ref>http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/nkdefec3.htm</ref> In addition, the regime practices brutal repression and atrocities against North Korean Christians. <ref>http://www.nysun.com/article/23082?page_no=1</ref><ref>http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/7/120250.shtml</ref>

In communist [[North Korea]], abuse and killing in prison camps is occurring today. <ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=5596</ref><ref>http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/nkdefec3.htm</ref> In addition, the North Korean government practices brutal repression and atrocities against North Korean Christians. <ref>http://www.nysun.com/article/23082?page_no=1</ref><ref>http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/7/120250.shtml</ref>

In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of "harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or `reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship." <ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_26_116/ai_56249447</ref>  In 2003, owners of Bibles in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were closed. <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818</ref>  China continues to practice religious oppression today. <ref>http://theworldnow.wordpress.com/tag/around-the-world/asia/china/</ref>

In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of "harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or `reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship." <ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_26_116/ai_56249447</ref>  In 2003, owners of Bibles in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were closed. <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818</ref>  China continues to practice religious oppression today. <ref>http://theworldnow.wordpress.com/tag/around-the-world/asia/china/</ref>

==Modern Communism==

==Modern Communism==

Between 1989 and 1991, many communist governments were overthrown. The [[Berlin Wall]] in [[Germany]], which had become a symbol for the division between the West and communist states, was torn down largely in response to economic and social problems, and there was also a large revolution against Romanian dictator [[Nicolaie Ceausescu]]. In 1991, the USSR broke up into several countries. Some of these remained under autocratic governments, but some have embraced [[democracy]].

Between 1989 and 1991, many communist governments were overthrown. The [[Berlin Wall]] in [[Germany]], which had become a symbol for the division between the West and communist states, was torn down largely in response to economic and social problems, and there was also a large revolution against Romanian dictator [[Nicolaie Ceausescu]]. In 1991, the USSR broke up into several countries. Some of these remained under autocratic governments, but some have embraced [[democracy]].

While Europe in the latter part of the 20th century has largely moved away from Communism as a system of government, it remains a popular focus of radical movements in other parts of the world. Maoist rebel movements, such as the [[Naxalites]] in India have steadily been increasing their base of popular support. <ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0614/dailyUpdate.html</ref>

While Europe in the latter part of the 20th century has largely moved away from Communism as a system of government, it remains a popular focus of radical movements in other parts of the world. Maoist rebel movements, such as the [[Naxalites]] in India have steadily been increasing their base of popular support. <ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0614/dailyUpdate.html</ref>

==Early Christian sharing==

==Early Christian sharing==

==Notable communists==

==Notable communists==

Notable communists include [[Stalin]], [[Engel]], [[Lenin]], [[Karl Marx]], [[Pol Pot]], [[Kim Il-sung]], [[Kim Jong-il]], and [[Fidel Castro]].

Notable communists include [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Friedrich Engels]], [[Vladimir Lenin]], [[Karl Marx]], [[Pol Pot]], [[Kim Il-sung]], [[Kim Jong-il]], and [[Fidel Castro]].

 

 

==Notes and references==

==Notes and references==