Why are most Christians politically right wing?

[rjs330]

Socialism is Biblical and was the norm for the early Christians.

That's a misunderstanding of the early church. While there were churches where people sold their belongings and gave to each other it was NEVER commanded to be so. The churches gave to each other because because they wanted to and not because they were commanded or forced to.

Socialism is forced upon people. It is forced giving using the power of government. That is not a biblical concept.

 

[rjs330]

I find it interesting that the majority of posts here are attacking Christians and very vile towards those that are not liberal. The left is doing the very thing they often accuse the right of doing. The vehemence from the left is much stronger than from the right.

 

[iluvatar5150]

I find it interesting that the majority of posts here are attacking Christians and very vile towards those that are not liberal. The left is doing the very thing they often accuse the right of doing. The vehemence from the left is much stronger than from the right.

If they’re that bad, you should report them.

 

[DM25]

I find it interesting that the majority of posts here are attacking Christians and very vile towards those that are not liberal. The left is doing the very thing they often accuse the right of doing. The vehemence from the left is much stronger than from the right.

I am centre-left and I am a fundamentalist bible-believing born again Christian. So how do you explain that? They are not mutually exclusive. And I see the exact opposite. I don't know why most Christians are right wing, makes no sense to me.

Most countries in Europe are the same. Social democratic principles are simply normal (unlike in America) and usually Christians in those countries elect those governments.

 

[DM25]

Socialism is forced upon people. It is forced giving using the power of government. That is not a biblical concept.

Incorrect. Bible says to obey the laws of the rulers. Back then, there were laws of rulers for taxes and goods to be redistributed. So that is simply incorrect. And most people would not give without legislation, because we live in a fallen world. Why do you only see it as "forced" that's often suspicious as if people are greedy and want to hold on to their money. Socialism is a good concept and those who disagree with it are usually greedy. I'm a Christian who doesn't care that my tax money goes to programs that help the poor, because I WANT to help the poor. That should be everyone's mindset.

 

[Pommer]

That's a misunderstanding of the early church

So much for an “inerrant Bible”!

 

[rjs330]

Why would it be surprising? Jesus' teachings are rooted far more in socialism than capitalism... I'm not sure why you would think capitalism is better. Socialism is far more moral and biblical.

That's not true. Jesus did not preach socialism. He did not preach capitalism either.

Biblically greed cuts all ways. It teaches that self greed of putting things over God is wrong. It also teaches that demanding what others have is also greedy and wrong. The Bible never teaches that owning things or having money is wrong. The poor are not more righteous than the rich.

 

[DM25]

That's not true. Jesus did not preach socialism. He did not preach capitalism either.

Biblically greed cuts all ways. It teaches that self greed of putting things over God is wrong. It also teaches that demanding what others have is also greedy and wrong. The Bible never teaches that owning things or having money is wrong. The poor are not more righteous than the rich.

Well he did not preach "Marxism", because that's a more new concept and I agree Marx was against all religion. But he preached concepts of socialism like giving back. The problem is governments are corrupt these days as the state of our fallen world, so they can use tax money on corruption. The concept itself is good though.

 

[RDKirk]

I never understood this because what the right stands for is not even biblical. Two of the things that are absolutely biblical and correct from the right/conservatism are : 1. Anti-LGBT and 2. Pro-Life. And I agree with this, along with general traditional family values and biblical morality. But everything else in the right wing you can argue is completely against Christianity and what Jesus taught. Everything in the right seems to be based on political identity and culture, not Jesus Christ. So I don't understand why right wing politics caters to Christian evangelicals so much.

You have it backwards. Christian evangelicals cater to right wing politics.

The Right Wing is a cultural gang, not a lot different from the Crips or Bloods or MS 13. Jesus is not their way of life, Jesus is just their gang sign.

Christian evangelicals who are part of the right wing cultural gang (the WASP culture gang, actually) are merely their chaplains. You know, like the chaplain on a ship...he gets called to the bridge to pray during a storm, but he has no say in where the ship is going.

 

[RDKirk]

That's not true. Jesus did not preach socialism. He did not preach capitalism either.

Biblically greed cuts all ways. It teaches that self greed of putting things over God is wrong. It also teaches that demanding what others have is also greedy and wrong. The Bible never teaches that owning things or having money is wrong. The poor are not more righteous than the rich.

What the bible preaches, explicitly, is:

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, The goal is equality. As it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little." -- 2 Corinthians 8

When American Christians are confronted with that verse, they immediately start yammering about "socialism" to deflect from the fact that they simply don't want to do what scripture clearly tells them to do. So they slap a boogeyman label on it and run away.

 

[rjs330]

Incorrect. Bible says to obey the laws of the rulers. Back then, there were laws of rulers for taxes and goods to be redistributed. So that is simply incorrect. And most people would not give without legislation, because we live in a fallen world. Why do you only see it as "forced" that's often suspicious as if people are greedy and want to hold on to their money. Socialism is a good concept and those who disagree with it are usually greedy. I'm a Christian who doesn't care that my tax money goes to programs that help the poor, because I WANT to help the poor. That should be everyone's mindset.

I do not believe I said we shouldn't obey the laws. If the US decides to go socialist then if course we should obey. As long as the law doesn't require us to disobey God.

Neither Christ nor the apostles taught that people should be forced to give. Socialism is a societal construct and it is not taught by scripture. It's fine if people want socialism and vote for it. But don't try and base it upon scripture.

 

[DM25]

Neither Christ nor the apostles taught that people should be forced to give. Socialism is a societal construct and it is not taught by scripture. It's fine if people want socialism and vote for it. But don't try and base it upon scripture.

The concept has its roots in the bible. It's based around sharing, sharing came from scripture originally. The original kingdoms of biblical times had socialist policies. But I agree you can argue there was capitalism in the bible too because it did talk about private property as well. That's why I like democratic socialism the most personally.

 

[Pommer]

Neither Christ nor the apostles taught that people should be forced to give. Socialism is a societal construct and it is not taught by scripture. It's fine if people want socialism and vote for it. But don't try and base it upon scripture.

I think you have a skewed vision as to what “being a Christian” is if one needs to be “compelled” by biblical command to do the right thing!

 

[Pommer]

When is the next Year of Jubilee?
Is that going to be a thing soon in Christendom?

 

[rjs330]

Then what you have is a serious public relations problem because the impression made by the Christian Right is that their doctrines have little or nothing to do with the Gospel of Christ.

That's an opinion. The issue is Christians of ALL types have beliefs or thoughts that can contradict the scriptures. The impression of the Christian left is their doctrines have little or nothing to do with the gospel of Christ. See how that works?

 

[rjs330]

You have it backwards. Christian evangelicals cater to right wing politics.

The Right Wing is a cultural gang, not a lot different from the Crips or Bloods or MS 13. Jesus is not their way of life, Jesus is just their gang sign.

Christian evangelicals who are part of the right wing cultural gang (the WASP culture gang, actually) are merely their chaplains. You know, like the chaplain on a ship...he gets called to the bridge to pray during a storm, but he has no say in where the ship is going.

Hmm... And the left leaning believers want to make the claim the right leaning believers are mean. The vitriol from the left here is pretty strong.

 

[rjs330]

What the bible preaches, explicitly, is:

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, The goal is equality. As it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little." -- 2 Corinthians 8

When American Christians are confronted with that verse, they immediately start yammering about "socialism" to deflect from the fact that they simply don't want to do what scripture clearly tells them to do. So they slap a boogeyman label on it and run away.

This is a great example of scriptures taken out of context. Happens all the time. Here is a larger piece of this scripture that she's some light on the subject.

Just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in diligence of every kind, and in your love for us — see that you excel in this gift too.I am not issuing an order; rather, I am testing the genuineness of your love against the diligence of others.As I say, in regard to this matter I am only giving an opinion. A year ago you were not only the first to take action but the first to want to do so. Now it would be to your advantage - 2 Corinthians 8:7-8,10 Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 8:7-8, 2 Corinthians 8:10 - Complete Jewish Bible

As I have said Everytime this comes up. Neither Christ nor the apostles commanded that we force people to give. They never commanded socialism nor did they command that governments be socialist. Just like they never commanded that people or governments be capitalistic.

 

[rjs330]

I think you have a skewed vision as to what “being a Christian” is if one needs to be “compelled” by biblical command to do the right thing!

It depends on what YOU call the right thing. The Bible tells all believers they should give when they see a need. It NEVER commands that people be forced to give.

 

[rjs330]

Socialism was not invented by Marx. Socialism existed in biblical times and long before Marx. I am speaking solely of the concept and the principles, not what Marx created and his version of it which is wrong. No such thing as Christian socialism? Wrong.

Christian socialism - Wikipedia

Socialism is a Christian concept, giving to others and sharing was taught by Jesus. Only America thinks capitalism is the Christian way lol. It's kind of funny how people can think greed is more Christ-like and always makes excuses like something is forced when in capitalism, you are being forced as well only not to give back to others but to give your money to corporations. If you think government rule means you are "forced" then you wouldn't like any system because since the beginning of civilization and in biblical times there were always government rule otherwise things would be chaotic, we do live in a fallen word after all and in the bible kingdoms were set up because that's just the way it is and how the world is.


Even in communist Yugoslavia, only 1% of the population were atheist. 99% were religious, and this is fact... Socialism actually has nothing to do with religion, but the concept is a lot more Christ-like than capitalism is.

One thing you miss is that the socialism practiced within the church was WITHIN THE CHURCH and it was voluntary. It NEVER was governmental by the church and it wasn't forced. In fact people in the church that did not work did not receive the help.

 

[rjs330]

If they’re that bad, you should report them.

I don't operate that way. They are vitriolic and I could report them, but that's not how I roll.