I have read in a few places that some think that Communism can be seen as a secular ideology that replicated many aspects of Christianity.
Perhaps Bertrand Russell was the first to make this comparison in The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism, where he says explicitly that's Communism is religion. Toynbee said the same.
The basic point, I think, is that the idea of the Classless Society is a bit like the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom never comes, but if enough people believe it, a whole political dynamic can take shape. It was belief in a radiant future, replete with miraculous harvests (Lysenko's biology etc) and perfect leaders, and Lenin put on display like saint.
So you think that this is view of Communism is correct? Or is the analogy too easy out simple?
Pope Leo XIII didn't think so.
In May of 1891, Leo XIII issued the encyclical Rerum Novarum. This document is noted as the beginning of the crystallization of modern Catholic social justice thought. In it, the pope affirms the need for assistance for the working poor. However, he also rejects communism as an ideology. At the same time, he also rejects unrestricted capitalism, but affirms the right to private property.
This encyclical has been commemorated and updated by other pontiffs. Pius XI issued Quadragesimo Anno in 1931, John XXIII followed with Mater et Magistra in 1961, and John Paul II marked the centennial with Centesimus Annus in 1991. Each pontiff built on the last in delineating Catholic positions on social justice and economics, all of which were unfavorable to communism. This is speculation, but 2016 will mark the 125^th anniversary of the encyclical, and I would be surprised if we don't see another economic and social justice encyclical on that date.
In March of 1937, Pius XI issued the most important document regarding Catholicism and communism--Divini Redemptoris. In it, the basic incompatibilities between the two ideologies are outlined. From section 3:
3: This all too imminent danger, Venerable Brethren, as you have already surmised, is bolshevistic and atheistic Communism, which aims at upsetting the social order and at undermining the very foundations of Christian civilization.
Then we have the outright rejection in sections 12 and 14.
12: What would be the condition of a human society based on such materialistic tenets? It would be a collectivity with no other hierarchy than that of the economic system. It would have only one mission: the production of material things by means of collective labor, so that the goods of this world might be enjoyed in a paradise where each would "give according to his powers" and would "receive according to his needs." Communism recognizes in the collectivity the right, or rather, unlimited discretion, to draft individuals for the labor of the collectivity with no regard for their personal welfare; so that even violence could be legitimately exercised to dragoon the recalcitrant against their wills. In the Communistic commonwealth morality and law would be nothing but a derivation of the existing economic order, purely earthly in origin and unstable in character. In a word. the Communists claim to inaugurate a new era and a new civilization which is the result of blind evolutionary forces culminating in a humanity without God.
14: Such, Venerable Brethren, is the new gospel which bolshevistic and atheistic Communism offers the world as the glad tidings of deliverance and salvation! It is a system full of errors and sophisms. It is in opposition both to reason and to Divine Revelation. It subverts the social order, because it means the destruction of its foundations; because it ignores the true origin and purpose of the State; because it denies the rights, dignity and liberty of human personality.
As such, Pius XI identifies communism as being materialistic in origin, not Christian. So we have a succession of Catholic popes who would not favor your argument. I cannot speak to other Christians’ thoughts on the subject, perhaps others will enlighten us.
As always, followup questions from both OP and others are always encouraged!