
Red Enlightenment
On Socialism, Science and Spirituality
Graham Jones(Author)
Repeater Books (Publisher)
Published on 9. May 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-1-914420-19-1 (ISBN)
Description
Why we need a materialist spirituality for the secular left, and how to build one.
The left commonly rejects religion and spirituality as counter-revolutionary forces, citing Marx's famous dictum that "religion is the opium of the people." Yet forms of spirituality have motivated struggles throughout history, ranging from medieval peasant uprisings and colonial slave revolts, to South American liberation theology and the US civil rights movement. And in a world where religion is growing, and political movements are ridden with conflict, burnout, and failure, what can the left learn from religion?
Red Enlightenment argues not only for a deepened understanding of religious matters, but calls for the secular left to develop its own spiritual perspectives. It proposes a materialist spirituality built from socialist and scientific sources, finding points of contact with the global history of philosophy and religion.
From cybernetics to liberation theology, from ancient Indian and Chinese philosophy to Marxist dialectical materialism, from traditional religious practices to contemporary art, music, and film, Red Enlightenment sets out a plausible secular spirituality, a new socialist praxis, and a utopian vision.
The left commonly rejects religion and spirituality as counter-revolutionary forces, citing Marx's famous dictum that "religion is the opium of the people." Yet forms of spirituality have motivated struggles throughout history, ranging from medieval peasant uprisings and colonial slave revolts, to South American liberation theology and the US civil rights movement. And in a world where religion is growing, and political movements are ridden with conflict, burnout, and failure, what can the left learn from religion?
Red Enlightenment argues not only for a deepened understanding of religious matters, but calls for the secular left to develop its own spiritual perspectives. It proposes a materialist spirituality built from socialist and scientific sources, finding points of contact with the global history of philosophy and religion.
From cybernetics to liberation theology, from ancient Indian and Chinese philosophy to Marxist dialectical materialism, from traditional religious practices to contemporary art, music, and film, Red Enlightenment sets out a plausible secular spirituality, a new socialist praxis, and a utopian vision.
Reviews / Votes
In this wide-ranging and often moving book, Jones makes a strong case that socialism not only is compatible with spirituality, but ultimately requires it for a comprehensive view of the multifaceted human condition. Red Enlightenment is fascinating reading for anyone interested in finding a way out of our current political crisis.More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Watkins Media Limited
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
310 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-914420-19-1 (9781914420191)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2023
Repeater
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Graham Jones is the author of The Shock Doctrine of the Left (Polity Books, 2018), has written for publications such as Open Democracy, Red Pepper, Novara Media, The Ecologist, and Uneven Earth, and has organised around housing and mental health issues.