Why Christians and Jews Must Reject Communism in Their Local and National Governments

Posted on the SHIELD of VALOR Blog, July 1, 2025

By Andy Falco Jimenez

As Christians and Jews, our faith is anchored in biblical values—human dignity, freedom, and responsibility before God. These principles, drawn from the Torah and the Hebrew Bible, guide us toward societies that honor the Creator and foster human flourishing. Yet, communism, an atheistic ideology pushing for a classless, stateless society through collective ownership and state control, stands in stark opposition to our beliefs. Its historical legacy—tens of millions dead, economies shattered, and religious communities crushed—reveals its incompatibility with our shared heritage. To protect our faith, freedoms, and communities, Christians and Jews must reject communism in local and national governments. Below, we explore the conflicts between communism and our values, backed by historical facts and statistics, and call for action to oppose this ideology.The Biblical Foundation of Christian and Jewish ValuesOur faiths rest on shared scriptural truths:

• Human Dignity: Every person is created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), with inherent worth and free will to seek God.
• Moral Responsibility: We are accountable to God’s commandments, like the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), which uphold integrity, property rights, and devotion to God.
• Stewardship and Charity: We are to manage God’s creation responsibly (Genesis 2:15) and give to the needy voluntarily (Deuteronomy 15:11, Matthew 25:35–40).
• Freedom to Worship: Faith requires liberty to prioritize God over human authorities (Daniel 3, Acts 5:29).

These values shape communities that reflect God’s justice and compassion. Communism, however, undermines them, threatening the spiritual and social fabric of our nations.Communism’s Incompatibility with Biblical FaithCommunism, as defined by Karl Marx and enacted in regimes like the Soviet Union, China, and Cambodia, is a materialist ideology that rejects God, abolishes private property, and enforces centralized control. While promising equality, it has led to catastrophic suffering, with estimates of 65–100 million deaths worldwide from famines, purges, and repression under communist regimes. Below, we detail why communism clashes with Christian and Jewish values, supported by historical evidence.

1. Atheism and the Rejection of God
Communism’s dialectical materialism denies spiritual reality, dismissing religion as a tool of class oppression. Marx’s claim that religion is the “opium of the people” reflects its hostility to faith, clashing with our belief in God as the ultimate authority.

• Historical Impact: Communist regimes have targeted religious communities. In the Soviet Union (1917–1991), the Bolsheviks demolished thousands of churches and synagogues, reducing active churches from 50,000 to ~500 by 1939. Stalin’s purges (1930s) killed an estimated 500,000–1 million clergy and believers, including Christians and Jews, as the League of Militant Atheists (1925–1947) enforced state atheism. In China (1949–present), the Communist Party’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) destroyed religious sites and imprisoned over 1 million believers, including Christians and Jews, with ongoing restrictions today. In Cambodia (1975–1979), the Khmer Rouge’s atheistic regime killed 1.5–2 million people, targeting Christians and other religious groups as threats to ideology.
• Why It Matters: Christians hold Jesus Christ as Lord (John 14:6), and Jews are bound to the God of Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4). Communism’s demand for loyalty above God is idolatrous, forcing believers to defy their faith or face persecution.

2. Abolition of Private Property vs. Biblical Stewardship
Communism seeks to eliminate private property, collectivizing resources to erase class distinctions. This contradicts biblical teachings that recognize property as part of God’s order, to be stewarded wisely. “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15) assumes ownership, and the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30) rewards responsible management.

• Historical Impact: Collectivization caused mass death and disruption. In the Soviet Union, Stalin’s collectivization (1929–1933) seized church and private lands, triggering the Holodomor famine, which killed 3.5–7 million in Ukraine alone, devastating religious communities. In China, Mao’s Great Leap Forward (1958–1962) collectivized agriculture, leading to the Great Chinese Famine, which claimed 15–45 million lives, stripping Christians and Jews of resources for worship and charity. In Vietnam (1976–present), collectivization crippled religious institutions until market reforms (1986) eased economic collapse.
• Why It Matters: Property enables believers to build houses of worship and practice voluntary charity. Communism’s forced seizures violate the biblical call to give freely (2 Corinthians 9:7, Leviticus 19:9–10), replacing it with state coercion.

3. Suppression of Individual Freedom and Dignity
Communism prioritizes the collective, often through authoritarian control, clashing with the biblical view of individual dignity and free will. Christians believe in personal salvation through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), and Jews emphasize individual covenantal responsibility (Deuteronomy 30:19).

• Historical Impact: Communist regimes crushed religious liberty. In the Soviet Union, gulags and purges killed ~20 million (1920s–1950s), including Christians and Jews who resisted atheism. Jewish “Refuseniks” faced imprisonment for seeking to emigrate. In China, Mao’s labor camps killed over 2 million, many for religious beliefs, and today, ~10,000 underground Christians are arrested yearly. In Cuba (1959–present), Castro’s regime exiled priests and jailed thousands of Christians in the 1960s, curbing worship.
• Why It Matters: Faith requires freedom to live out convictions. Communism’s repression defies the biblical mandate to obey God over human authorities, putting believers at odds with the state.

4. Class Warfare vs. Biblical Unity and Love
Communism pits classes against each other, promoting division to spark revolution. This contradicts the biblical call to love neighbors and enemies (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 5:44) and seek unity (Galatians 3:28).

• Historical Impact: Communist purges vilified religious groups as “class enemies.” In the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), communist factions killed ~7,000 Catholic priests and nuns. In the Soviet Union, antisemitic campaigns under Stalin killed or exiled ~500,000 Jews, falsely tied to capitalism. In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge’s class warfare killed 1.5–2 million, including Christians, for their faith. These policies sowed hatred and chaos.
• Why It Matters: Christians and Jews are called to foster compassion, not conflict. Communism’s divisiveness undermines the biblical vision of peace.

The Danger in Local and National Governments
Communist or Marxist-inspired policies can infiltrate democratic governance, threatening faith communities. Locally, collectivist regulations might limit churches or synagogues through zoning or taxes. Nationally, secular or statist agendas can erode religious liberty. For example:

• Education: Marxist frameworks in schools may push atheistic narratives, challenging parents’ rights to raise children in faith (Proverbs 22:6).
• Charity: Centralized welfare can displace faith-based charities, central to our missions.
• Free Speech: Restrictions on religious expression, cloaked in egalitarian rhetoric, can silence biblical teachings.

The global toll of communism—65–100 million deaths, including 20–50 million in the Soviet Union, 40–70 million in China, and 1.5–2 million in Cambodia—warns of its dangers. These regimes’ attacks on faith and freedom must guide our vigilance today.A Call to Action for Christians and JewsSHIELD of VALOR stands for courage and truth. We urge Christians and Jews to reject communism by:

1. Educating Communities: Highlight communism’s toll—65–100 million lives lost, economies ruined, and faiths persecuted—and its clash with biblical values.
2. Engaging Politically: Support leaders who defend religious liberty, property rights, and individual freedom. Advocate for policies that balance welfare with personal responsibility, avoiding collectivism.
3. Strengthening Institutions: Build resilient churches, synagogues, and charities that model voluntary generosity, not state control.
4. Praying for Wisdom: Seek God’s guidance to resist ideologies that undermine faith (James 1:5).

Conclusion:
Christians and Jews share a sacred calling to honor God, love others, and steward His creation. Communism’s atheism, collectivization, and authoritarianism—responsible for 65–100 million deaths, from the Soviet Union’s gulags to China’s famines and Cambodia’s genocide—oppose our values. By rejecting communism in our local and national governments, we protect our freedom to worship, live out our faith, and build just societies. Let us stand united, as people of the Book, to defend the biblical principles that sustain us.

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