Why I no longer identify as a communist

About a decade ago, I wrote an article called, “How I finally admitted to being a communist”. It chronicled my journey into radical politics.

Since that article, however, I have developed a bit of nuance in how I identify politically, and I no longer call myself a communist.

Now, do not take this the wrong way. I still agree with a lot of the tenets of communism, but I do not take on the label.

In the months and years following the article, one thing I noticed in online communist spaces (and to be fair, other far left spaces) is a certain dogmatism and gatekeeping. Communists must believe this or that thing.

And my political views were not quite like that.

For example, I am not that interested in how we get to the classless, stateless society that communism and anarchism promise. Whether through a proletariat dictatorship or a working class revolution makes no difference to me.

I have read only a couple of works of Marx. I have not read anything from Lenin, or Mao, or Kropotkin, or Trotsky, or any of the other radical thinkers from over a century ago.

My positions on political and social matters have been informed (are still being informed) by podcasts I have listened to, videos I have watched, articles I have read, and even my own ponderings as I try to synthesize it all.

As well, my politics are influenced by my religious beliefs. For a lot of people who have been exposed to Mormonism, this may seem odd or perhaps even laughable, but Mormonism has at its very foundation a pretty leftist base.

Take this scripture from the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 18:27–29), for example:

And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.

And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.

And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.

That sure sounds a lot like Marx’s often quoted slogan: From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

In fact, I have written a book on this topic. It is in manuscript form, and I am in the process of finding a publisher. I hope to say more when it is available.

My religious beliefs inform my political beliefs, and my political beliefs inform my religious beliefs. They are intertwined.

So, my political beliefs are a combination of communism, anarchism, and canonical Mormonism. As such, it is a challenge finding one ideology that accurately describes my positions on political issues.

My position is influenced by communism, but it is not strictly communism. It is influenced by anarchism, but it not strictly anarchism. It is influenced by Mormonism but it is not strictly Mormonism.

This is why I like the term radical left: it feels more fluid, more openended, more welcoming.