ANARCHISM AND RELIGION

Anarchism has for most of its history been opposed to religion, but anarchists aren't all atheists and in fact hold a variety of views on religion and spirituality.

Are there religious anarchists?

Christian Anarchists take seriously Jesus' words to his followers that "kings and governors have domination over men; let there be none like that among you." Similarly, Paul's dictum that there "is no authority except God" is taken to its obvious conclusion with the denial of state authority within society. Thus, for a true Christian, the state is usurping God's authority and it is up to each individual to govern themselves and discover that (to use the title of Tolstoy's famous book) The Kingdom of God is within you.

Taoism & Anarchism

There are many different types of anarchism inspired by religious ideas. As Peter Marshall notes, the "first clear expression of an anarchist sensibility may be traced back to the Taoists in ancient China from about the sixth century BC" and "Buddhism, particularly in its Zen form, . . . has . . . a strong libertarian spirit." [Op. Cit., p. 53, p. 65] Some combine their anarchist ideas with Pagan and Spiritualist influences.

Religious and Spiritual Anarchists

Anarchism and Unitarian Universalism
Despite the long, multi-syllabic name and relatively small “membership” base (about 218,404 in the United States), Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is far from a cult. In fact, it could quite possibly be the anti-thesis of such. UUism is unique from other religions in that it is non-creedal. Thus, there is not one singular belief that binds Unitarian Universalists together. Instead, much like anarchy, UUs are brought together by a set of principles, interpreted and expressed uniquely by each individual.

Nuclear Weapons Protesters Sentenced To Prison (including one anarchist)

CATHOLIC WORKER

Ammon Hennacy Legacy

Dorothy Day Library on the Web

Catholic Worker Movement

Catholic Worker Roundtable

The One-Person Revolution of Ammon Hennacy

BUDDHISM

Buddhist Anarchism by Gary Snyder

ANARCHO-PAGANISM

Starhawk's homepage

Hold the Vision by Starhawk

Reclaiming

Anarchists against Religion

Anarchism and Religion by Nicolas Walter

Another Godless Anarchist