The Devil and Karl Marx by Paul Kengor is a compelling and rare deep dive into the dark underbelly of communism, exposing its long history of death, deception, and infiltration. The book stands apart from other works on communism due to its emphasis on the ideological and spiritual dimensions, rather than merely focusing on the political and economic consequences. Through Kengor’s research, we discover how mainstream society has been systematically duped and manipulated by communist tactics, often without even realizing it. This book is not just a history lesson but a warning for those unaware of the ideological war still being waged today.
Infiltration: The Key to Communist Success
One of the book’s most striking revelations is the extent to which communist agents infiltrated religious, educational, and political institutions, using deception to advance their cause. Kengor illustrates this infiltration by delving into historical examples such as the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and its use of religious fronts to spread Marxist ideology. William Z. Foster, a major leader of the CPUSA, famously boasted about the success of the “united front” tactic, where communists infiltrated churches and gained support from unsuspecting religious leaders. This tactic allowed communism to disguise itself under the cloak of morality, drawing in well-meaning but uninformed individuals.
A particularly disturbing example of this is the testimony of ex-communist Manning Johnson, who revealed the systematic infiltration of Christian churches in the United States. According to Johnson, communists used scripture to recruit unsuspecting clergy, turning churches into platforms for promoting Marxist ideologies under the guise of religious reform. This deception worked by distorting Christian teachings to align with communist objectives, exploiting religious values of social justice to win support for the cause.
The Deception of the Masses: Exploiting Idealism
Kengor also explores how communists effectively deceived large segments of the population, particularly in Western nations, by capitalizing on idealism. Marxism often appealed to intellectuals and young people by offering a vision of equality and fairness. However, Kengor warns that this vision is fundamentally deceptive, masking the brutal reality of communist regimes that consistently led to oppression, famine, and mass murder.
For instance, the book draws attention to the romanticization of figures like Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, who are often portrayed as revolutionary heroes. In reality, these leaders presided over regimes of terror, using imprisonment, execution, and starvation to maintain control. The public’s fascination with these figures, fueled by selective historical narratives, is part of the larger deception. Kengor exposes how Marxism, in practice, led to the deaths of millions, as seen in the Soviet Union, Mao’s China, Cambodia, and elsewhere.
Why This Book Stands Out
What makes The Devil and Karl Marx unique is not only its focus on the destructive outcomes of communism but its exploration of the spiritual elements that underlie Marxist thought. Kengor delves into Marx’s own writings and those of his closest allies, uncovering chilling references to satanic imagery and a deep hatred of religion. In one of his early poems, Marx wrote, “Thus Heaven I’ve forfeited, I know it full well. My soul, once true to God, is chosen for Hell.” Such disturbing sentiments offer a glimpse into the dark spiritual dimension of Marx’s ideology, which sought to destroy traditional religious values.
Kengor also highlights how Marxism is more than just an economic or political system; it’s a worldview that seeks to fundamentally transform human nature. This transformation, Kengor argues, is rooted in a rejection of God and an embrace of materialism. The author doesn’t just stop at Marx but traces these spiritual undercurrents through the actions of other major communist leaders, from Lenin and Stalin to Mao and Pol Pot, showing how their atheistic worldviews contributed to the mass atrocities committed under their regimes.
A Rare and Timely Exposé
In summary, The Devil and Karl Marx is a rare book that goes beyond the typical analyses of communism. It uncovers the deep ideological and spiritual rot at the heart of Marxist thought and demonstrates how deception and infiltration have allowed this dangerous ideology to flourish, even in free societies. Kengor’s book stands out because it not only details the political and economic failures of communism but also exposes its existential threat to faith, freedom, and human dignity. This is an essential read for anyone who wishes to understand the full scope of the Marxist threat and why it continues to pose a danger to the world today.
