Socalism & Christianity, a perfect match or a complete clash of ideologies?

Jaxxyy said:

I, myself, am a socalist and have been for many many years and firmly believe that a more socalist society would be better then the current one. Since I have started to study the Bible, I personally believe the Bible renforces my ideas of socalism as it talks about caring for one another, loving one another and helping out those who are less fourtante.

I was just wondering what other Christians would think of this paring?

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What does socialist mean in simple terms?

Socialism is, broadly speaking, a political and economic system in which property and the means of production are owned in common, typically controlled by the state or government. Socialism is based on the idea that common or public ownership of resources and means of production leads to a more equal society.

typically controlled by the state or government (no thank you) .... who wants to be controlled by any government? It's bad enough as it is .... government infringement on our lives .... and you want more of it? Good grief! ;o)

Morals? Do you want the government deciding what the standards of behavior are to be for everyone? Surely not.

Jaxxyy said:

caring for one another, loving one another and helping out those who are less fortunate

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This is descriptive of everyone who follows Jesus, no matter the politics in the country or region they live in.
If their motivation is selfish or political, or of the world, it might not be so good for them though.

Jaxxyy said:

What I mean by socalist is caring for those who are less fortuanate then you and creating a baseline for everything, for example, universal health care is a socalist policy

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Who said it is a socalist policy ? The believers / followers of the Creator have done this for thousands of years, even when under great hardship ... at least I believe they have done so, as written also in the book.

When it is a political/ governments method thru money gained from taxation or donations or other government control, it may very well cause a multitude of problems including things we cannot discuss on the internet.

Jaxxyy said:

I, myself, am a socalist and have been for many many years and firmly believe that a more socalist society would be better then the current one. Since I have started to study the Bible, I personally believe the Bible renforces my ideas of socalism as it talks about caring for one another, loving one another and helping out those who are less fourtante.

I was just wondering what other Christians would think of this paring?

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I recommend reading George Orwell's Animal Farm. It's easy to read and points out the core problem with socialism and communism pretty well.

Socialism/communism not only does not encourage Christianity actually, your life could be threatened. The Bible is all about Christianity, so the two could never mix. Both would agree helping poor a must for society but results expected.

While I believe your personal sentiments are genuine, is not socialism committed to it’s concept of “change” rather than charity?

Jaxxyy said:

I, myself, am a socalist and have been for many many years and firmly believe that a more socalist society would be better then the current one. Since I have started to study the Bible, I personally believe the Bible renforces my ideas of socalism as it talks about caring for one another, loving one another and helping out those who are less fourtante.

I was just wondering what other Christians would think of this paring?

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I like the idea also and agree with what you say. Unfortunately many people equate socialism with communism.

Blessings!

Jaxxyy said:

I was just wondering what other Christians would think of this paring?

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Caring for the poor should not be compulsory.

I believe in safety nets and such, but a full-blown socialist economy would collapse the US.

Government mandated socialism has never worked nationwide.
Former Soviet Union and Mao's China are examples. Even China
has open the door for capitalism, while still keeping a boot on the
next of the investors.

Unbridled Capitalism has never worked. Greed will drive groups to
become elitists and look down their noses at the less fortunate.

What works is the government providing a safety-net, while limiting itself by
allowing liberty for individuals.

Capitalism works when there are regulations to keep it from running amok, which it will if
left unchecked.

What this country has had is has worked and there is no other place on earth where
people have had it as good as we do. Things could be far worse, and one doesn't have
to look fare to see how things could be.

Jaxxyy said:

What I mean by socalist is caring for those who are less fortuanate then you and creating a baseline for everything, for example, universal health care is a socalist policy

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Socialism has only worked well over time for monasteries. For shorter periods of time in religious communes like the Amana colonies. It has worked out terrible for Christians under Stalin, in China, in North Korea, Albania, and the like. We might like some ideas from Socialism but aside from the monks, it has yet to be done well and sustainably.

Jesusfollowerforever said:

I like the idea also and agree with what you say. Unfortunately many people equate socialism with communism.

Blessings!

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The USSR was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. They said they were Socialist. So forgive the confusion. You have to distinguish between people who say they are Socialist from other people who say they are Socialist and then explain, nay guarantee that we get one kind of Socialist and not the other kind of Socialist. My thinking is that it's easy for one kind to morph into the other kind. The USSR had fancy guarantees for religious liberty in their constitution. Those became meaningless eventually and Stalin starved millions of Catholics in the Ukraine. How does Socialism not end up turning on Christians? It's been a common occurense.

Jaxxyy said:

What I mean by socalist is caring for those who are less fortuanate then you and creating a baseline for everything, for example, universal health care is a socalist policy

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You need to remember that socialism in the DSA is seen differently than there or Canada or places that have such things as universal health care, dental care for youth, utilities, insurance etc a matter of socialist policy. Their and affiliates idea of gain at the expense of others seems to have found ownership by the masses as being an assault upon greed.

Universal health care in Canada was the result of the work of a Baptist minister named Tommy Douglas (polled as Canada's greatest citizen) who took his Christian policy (Social Gospel Social Gospel - Wikipedia) and became leader of a social democratic party. The key here was that with a three party system (something also shunned in the DSA) his party always a minority in a greedy world, was able to force one or the other right and left parties into accepting his policies of compassion by agreeing to back one or the other in the times of minority governments. The same has applied recently with the same party forcing free dental for children as a tradeoff for backing a minority government. True by the people for the people based on Christian principles that invaded politics here, compared to some countries were politics invades Christianity which then supports secular dogma ie the DSA and Russia.

chevyontheriver said:

. Those became meaningless eventually and Stalin starved millions of Catholics in the Ukraine.

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True but the majority were the Ukrainian Orthodox segment and their persecutors were from a blend of religious backgrounds but secular in thinking.

chevyontheriver said:

Socialism has only worked well over time for monasteries. For shorter periods of time in religious communes like the Amana colonies. It has worked out terrible for Christians under Stalin, in China, in North Korea, Albania, and the like. We might like some ideas from Socialism but aside from the monks, it has yet to be done well and sustainably.

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The socialism aspect worked in monasteries because the members agreed to it and could leave if they wished.
There was also a democratic process in electing the Abbot or Prioress.

Communist countries like the former USSR and Red China, prohibited their citizens from leaving.

If you are going to promote Socialism and use the Bible to defend universal healthcare etc - then you also have to support the United States becoming a Christian nation.

However -

The scripture often used to support modern day socialism (which does not have an accepted definition), are instructions for the Believers to take care of others - not the government.

Observation: it seems many of those making the connection between Scripture and socialism, end their connection with the scripture when it comes to other social issues. That type of selectiveness negates many arguments.

IOW - If you are going to uphold universal health care using scripture as proof of its being right - then you have to also take a stand against homosexuality and other forms of unrighteousness also.