Can a Christian be a communist?

[CushBabylonian]

Why or why not?

Communism is an intergral part of our way of life (whether you realize it or not-and I'll makes posts on that later). Post your thoughts on why or why not a Christian can be a communist.

 

[royboy]

Why or why not?

Communism is an intergral part of our way of life (whether you realize it or not-and I'll makes posts on that later). Post your thoughts on why or why not a Christian can be a communist.

Forgive me if I come off as ignorant, but isn't it hard being a communist, even without religious affiliation?

 

[CushBabylonian]

I don't know...that's why the question is posted. People do strange things. China seems to get along just fine being communist (the fastest and 2nd largest economy in the world). Not that I support it, but capitalism and communism do mix.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

Well, not a christian myself, but I'd say that communism is easy to live with-on a small scale.
A household can be communistic (mine is) where people live in the house not of family and still make a family-like unit with people working and giving and doing together for the group.
It can work in a neighborhood setting or a workplace setting, but on a national stage communism falls apart. It looks great on paper, but when you have so many people trying to be one unigroup entity, well a lot gets left by the wayside in favor of the group and eventually individuality gets strained and lost. Causes rebellions and what not.

 

[royboy]

I suppose it all depends on what version of communism.

I suppose even Nazism would not seem as bad if it was severely watered down. You know, without the killing, or the racial stuff. Just the cool uniforms and macho salute.

 

[Havoc]

The early Christians were "communist", in the strictest and most pure sense of the philosophy.

Acts 2:44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

 

[zebuwin]

I'd say yes, you can be christian and communist, but not "pure" communism, that is Marxism (which is materialistic (?) ).

I consider myself as ...(ouch, I already hear you saying that I'm not a true christian, then...) an anarchist. Anarchism (the political movement, not the chaos thory the newspaper tell you to be afraid of) is complete freedom (unless this freedom restricts someone else's freedom). Some experiences of anarchism have been successful in history on a small scale. The problem with it is that it supposes everyone is "good", which is quite wrong, as we know. But with a few good-will men, it may work. On a small scale, again, of course. Consider the squats: most of them function as an autonomous community, without any rule.

 

[BigToe]

haha unfortunately if you ask most americans what communism means you wont get the correct answer. in theory i think christians should be communist, but alas its a hard political thing to pull off and do it well.

 

[Teh Wiccan]

Communism in theory is excellent! If only we could pull it off.

 

[stubbornkelly]

Communism the economic theory or communism the social philosophy?

 

[Teh Wiccan]

The social philosophy, specifically, it would be an amazing breakthrough in showing that humanity doesn't have to be greedy.

 

[panterapat]

Actually, true Communism (from each according to his ability, to each according to his need) is quite a Christian ideal. The problem is that it goes against human nature. And every government that has called itself Communist, has oppressed its people. The world has never seen a truly Communist government. And if it did exist- it would eventually disappear according to Karl Marx.

 

[Ampmonster]

"China seems to get along just fine being communist "

...im sorry? they harvest organs out of living people over there.
oh and the 15/1 M/F ratio is gonna start getting in the way of "getting along fine" real soon.

 

[Ampmonster]

if your arguing FOR communism AT LEAST TRY and make us forget China

 

[stubbornkelly]

Sorry! My post was a question about the OP.

Communism the economic theory or communism the social philosophy?

 

[Ampmonster]

Communism works for bees!
democracy or representative republic(ie...USA) works best based in a good, moral, family oriented religeon ...not necsessarily christian (since we're talking philosophy here.)
THe concept of sin and avoiding it is the only thing that keeps people from taking advantage of their freedoms. look at how the US is slipping lately, no one "sins" anymore.

 

[Outspoken]

If humans were not sinful, communism would work perfectly and i would hereld it. The problem is that absolute power corrupts absolutely, thus it doesn't work.

 

[Ampmonster]

thank you

 

[stubbornkelly]

Okay, I'll actually chime in now.

The social philosophy of communism is a good one, and mirrors what the Bible says about taking care of those less fortunate than ourselves and "there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female." However, the economic theory doesn't work in practice, nor should it be attempted. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor works for Robin Hood, but it is morally suspect. Better to change the paradigm in which we live than force philanthropy on the people.

 

[BAChristian]

Better to change the paradigm in which we live than force philanthropy on the people.

amen to that SK...