German social theorist widely taught at universities around the U.S. A very popular thinker among U.S. college students of limited
intellectual capacity or liberal political inclination.
Marx taught that the property owners oppressed the poor working class people. They did this primarily through religion which was described as the opiate of the masses and an effective means of controlling people. Marx, while being an atheist, considered himself something of a prophet, and Marxism the absolute truth.
In this manner Marx subtlety deceived the mass of mediocre intellectuals into worshiping him as their messiah. Marx is the messiah to Marxists and Marxism is their religion. Marxism, like many religions, is dogmatic and requires unquestioning obedience.
Critical thinking is
unacceptable. Marx wrote that any philosophy or
perspective other than Marxism is capitalist ideology or false consciousness used to control people. Marx taught that the only truth is Marxism and only Marxism can liberate people.
In this regard Karl Marx is no different from any other religious extremist such as
Osama bin Laden who wishes to exterminate all non Muslims. Marxist leaders throughout history have often exterminated citizens critical of Marxism.
Mao Tse Tung alone killed 50 million Chinese who were considered disobedient to the Marxist ideal. He especially targeted intellectuals who he asked to give advice on how the Marxist ideal could be improved. When they offered criticism and advice, they were rounded up and executed.