People on both sides of the divide have been waiting a long time for this conversation  

Responding to the announcement of
Revolution and Religion: A Dialogue Between Cornel West and Bob Avakian

November 4 2014 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us

 

Religion or Revolution? Religion and Revolution? Religious Revolution? Are these two notions different? Is it a zero sum game between the two? This is not a new question. In early Christianity and throughout Jewish history, the two most prominent identities in this country, there has always been the tension regarding how to act on or act in the world when one holds "other worldly" notions. In the account of Jesus' apprehension in the garden of Gethsemane, when he prevents Peter from taking violent action after he heals the Roman soldier's ear injured by Peter's weapon, what is Jesus really saying when he tells Peter "Put away your sword"? Or, What is the meaning of the statement attributed to Karl Marx that religion is "the opiate of the masses"? These questions are at the heart of what will be explored in this important conversation between Bob Avakian and Cornel West. In a time of revolutionary actions prompted by religious zealotry and intractable poverty and disease in the midst of wealthy religious organization, it is timely to hear two of the foremost thinkers on the concepts of political revolution and radical christianty explore common ground between seemingly disparate concepts. People on both sides of this divide have been waiting a long time for this conversation. It will be worth hearing.              

Willie J. Parker—MD, MPH; Reproductive Justice advocate and abortion provider

 

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