This was written in answer to a private email from a woman who believes that "pure" Marxism and Christianity are similar philosophies because they both encourage people to "share". She also notes that Christianity has been responsible for many atrocities and misused in the same way "pure" Marxism has been.

She says, "As such espousing new ideas of sharing which also embraced the most low of persons was revolutionary. Thus, from my view there are obvious similarities with pure Marxism philosophy. "

She ends with: "So, this is my understanding: Communism is a political system, Marxism is a social philosophy, Christianity is a religion which has social philosophical implications."

This is my answer. (Please forgive what appears to be a bit of jumping from subject to subject. I'm answering her specific remarks, the gist of which you will be able to generally surmise from my responses. I do not feel at liberty to publish her entire letter. It was a private communication, after all.)

Judaism incorporated religion and government. Christ spoke vehemently and consistently about one's personal relationship to God. He had nothing whatever to say about the social order, except as it limited or prevented people from approaching God. That was his objection to the Temple functionaries—and why he called them a "brood of vipers"—they kept the people at arm's distance from God.