Anarchists

[Valodya Bassarov]

Where you can join and learn more about the anarachists

[Simona Weil]

My name is Simona Weil and I am the leader of the Anarchists. Anarchists believe in a world where people are self governing. There are many types of anarchists, I am a pacifist anarchist. I feel that governments lead to conflict and oppression.

[Zinn]

OK, maybe I'm just being paranoid here, but isn't it a bit dangerous to openly declare oneself an Anarchist to anyone you meet on the street? Paradox and Antero seem to be telling anyone who asks. What if the next person who asks is a Red Infinity operative, or just doesn't like Anarchists?

[Jon Talbain]

From what I've seen Government Operatives don't hide themselves well. And people like Black aren't concerned with hiding their nature.

[Simona Weil]

People like Antero really don't care. Antero actually likes prison and torture.

I on the other hand am more cautious.

You do a good job being realisitic about living in a Stalinist world,Zinn. I like that, since many people do not take a global stalinist dictatorship seriously.

[Zinn]

Thanks. You have really strong ideals. I admire that even if I disagree with some of them.

[Simona Weil]

Have you ever heard of the mystic Simone Weil, she was an activist, philosopher, and writer in the 1920s-40s...my character is based off of her.

[Zinn]

I haven't heard of her. She sounds interesting. I think I'll go look her up...

Please don't be insulted by the next question. I mean no disrespect, and I understand that religion is a very sensitive subject for a lot of people. I was wondering, wouldn't god(s), by extension, be considered government, and therefore contradictory to Anarchism? I know there are religous anarchists, and it is something I am somewhat confused about. I agree with the Communists in the sense that religion is often used to keep people in line. I don't agree with forced atheism and the communist method. As an anarchist, I feel that everyone should be able to choose any religion they like. Spirituality on the other hand, I can totally understand. However, spirituality is quite different from religion. Religion is a set of laws, with a certain way to worship something or someone, and while it can be a way to acheive spirituality, I don't understand why an anarchist would use such a regimented, law based way. The concept behind Anarchism is that people can rule themselves. Once again, I am not trying to insult your beliefs. These are my beliefs, and you probably disagree with them. I want to hear your perspective, because I obviously don't know enough on the subject, and I want to learn.

[Simona Weil]

Religion could be remade to serve any governing system...or even the lack thereof. Religious institutions under anarchy, could be communal and leaderless. Therefore, the faithful could pursue their religious beliefs together fostering community and worshiping in a way that is truer to the actual doctrines themselves.
Religions do not need to have heirarchies of power, these merely serve to legitimize such heirarchies in society as a whole.

[Zinn]

But the definition of religion includes a hierarchy of power. Religion requires the belief in at least one god. That god or gods is higher than everything else. Religion is the way to worship, obey, and please that god or gods.

[Simona Weil]

This means you have to reshape how you see god. Some see god as the universe and evident and even equal to all things, not always merely a being above, but a part of.

I can speak only from a christian perspective, but christianity would teach pacifism through Jesus...and Jesus would embody how god is not above us, but existed as a man.

[Zinn]

I've heard arguments like that. I know that in Kabbalistic Judaism, existence is really a pocket made up of god, and therefore we are all god, and should be respected as such. It's an interesting concept. However, no matter how humble god may be, or what god is, god in the Judeo-Christian sense, is a very demanding thing, and requires worship and a code of conduct. Even Jesus preached peace, which in itself is a code of conduct. What about John? I think it was John who wrote about doubting Thomas, but I could be wrong. At any rate, the moral of that story was blind belief.

[Simona Weil]

Hmm....well the practices of Jesus would make for a better society. Practicing charity, selflessness, community, and peace are obviously "laws" that would benefit society...but they should not be imposed by another. They would have to somehow be self imposed.

Religions would have to change, to be more individualized as far as understanding practices, but collectivized as far as worshiping together without leaders.

[Zinn]

But worship in and of itself is the acknowledgment and praise of a higher power. The things that you metioned are unversal, and not necissarily associated with Jesus, or any religion. You don't need religion to believe in those things.

[Simona Weil]

True, you do not need a religion to believe those things...but religion is just a choice...which some people would choose in anarchy...just as others would not....and if the choice was not there then it really would not be free then. So, I suppose some people find purpose and happiness through the belief in a higher being...the best that can be done is augment the dogma's associated with this belief so that it supports the anarchist soceity.

I see where you are coming from, since any belief is somewhat oppressive. There are rules to anarchy.....because there are theories and principals which govern it.

So to some extent, it is impossible to remove law from life, unless you believe in nothing at all, which then you are governed by no political belief or religious belief.

But since some are not comfortable believing in nothing, to preserve their freedoms, their principals would have to be examined to see how they can best to augmented to fit the society.

I am governed by the desire for peace and for equality, this is a self imposed government. If a belief in a god is a choice, then that two is a self designed government of the soul and mind.