Though “historically inevitable” for primitive man, Foster goes on to say, religion has now been made obsolete by science. Science, as it advanced, gave “irrefutable materialist explanations” of the phenomena which puzzled primitive man. Hence, “in the modern world ... there is therefore no longer ... even the possibility, of a religious interpretation of man and the world.” “It has now become virtually impossible for a thoroughly modern person, even if he wants to do so, actually to believe the old legends, primitive philosophies, and imaginary history upon which all religions are founded.” This communist teaching glosses over the fact that science never has given an “irrefutable” explanation of ultimate reality, neither materialistic nor any other kind. The communists ignore the further fact that the faith of religious people is a moral necessity and a sense of personal relationship, not a completion of laboratory science. In addition to dismissing religion as primitive, the communists claim that it is a mere instrument of exploitation: another weapon in the hands of the capitalists. As Lenin said: “Religion is a kind of spiritual intoxicant, in which the slaves of capital drown their humanity, and blunt their desire for a decent human existence.” Again: “... it is quite natural for the exploiters to sympathize with a religion that teaches us to bear ‘uncomplainingly’ the woes of hell on earth, in the hope of an alleged paradise in the skies.” William Z. Foster, who in our country emphasizes the same theme, and who has always emphasized the correct Party line, declared, “... the Church ... has identified itself with political reaction.” And again, “... the Church is one of the basic forces now fighting to preserve obsolete capitalism and its reactionary ruling classes, in the face of advancing democracy and socialism.” The followers of Marx have a way of calling _scientific_ any dogma to which they intend to cling, regardless of whether it can be supported by conclusive evidence. And communism has to cling to its antireligious dogma, not for scientific reasons, but for reasons of ideology and strategy. It cannot permit man to give his allegiance to a Supreme Authority higher than Party authority, for such allegiance to a higher authority carries with it a sense of freedom, of immunity to Party edict and discipline. Neither can it afford to have its members made hesitant in acts of cruelty and deception, which are ordained parts of its revolutionary program. No communist can be permitted to set an abstract truth above an expedient lie, or to extend compassion to an enemy whom the Party intends to smear or liquidate. The communists dismiss our sentiments motivated by spiritual force as silly prattlings that reflect “bourgeois weaknesses.” Therefore, they have their own morality, communist morality, as stated by Lenin: