Socialists?

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Socialism- A political and economic theory of that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Acts 4:35
and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2:45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Looks like the first Christians were socialists and Jesus preached Social Justice which they acted out in Acts. So all Christians should be Socialists. Or how else would you interpret these verses?

Nothing there implies state socialism. Voluntary communalism was what they were practicing.

And I don't really have a problem with that. I might even be willing to join up myself if my church wanted to try it. (Because I trust the leadership of my church and know they don't have any cult-like tendencies, and would do their best to implement it in a Christ-like and Scriptural manner.) The key word is voluntary. Jesus never said we should coerce anybody for any reason.

 

[truthseeker32]

Wow, only one Catholic and one Eastern Orthodox socialist? I guess the religious right really does have a hold on the old churches.

 

[Nymira]

Wow, only one Catholic and one Eastern Orthodox socialist? I guess the religious right really does have a hold on the old churches.

Well, Catholic teaching (as in the church itself, not just "the religious right") is against socialism, so I wouldn't expect to see a lot of Catholic socialists as it's something the church has condemned.

For example, Catechism article #2425 starts with: The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modern times with "communism" or "socialism."

And also, a link: What Popes past and present have said about socialism.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Well, Catholic teaching (as in the church itself, not just "the religious right") is against socialism, so I wouldn't expect to see a lot of Catholic socialists as it's something the church has condemned.

For example, Catechism article #2425 starts with: The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modern times with "communism" or "socialism."

And also, a link: What Popes past and present have said about socialism.

True... but Catholic social teaching has also favored a large State role in caring for the poor, in fact a larger role than I am comfortable with.

 

[Westbrook]

Please note that with the exception of the OT, all alms to the poor were to be voluntary. Charity is the expression of a thankful heart, not of compulsion.

I submit that using the power of the State to extract money by threat of force to give to "social causes" is not a Christian tenet.

It is no more Christian than using the power of the state to enforce any religious dogma.

The coins bearing Caesar's image are his. Render therefore that which is Caesar's unto Caesar, but render unto God that which is God's. Promoting the politics of envy and covetousness, promoting "fairness" rather than justice, was not something that Jesus did. Jesus was not a politician.

Covetousness, envy, avarice, and using the power of the state to compel people against their will to participate in social experiments must be weighed against the words and acts of Jesus.

 

[brian humphries]

I consider myself Christian and a socialist. I don't see that these are mutually exclusive. I am a member of the Christian Socialist Party.

 

[meliagaunt]

I consider myself Christian and a socialist. I don't see that these are mutually exclusive. I am a member of the Christian Socialist Party.

I'm not sure what country you're in, but in mine Christian Socialism has a long and very honourable pedigree, including Charles Kingsley, Tony Blair and many in between.

 

[brian humphries]

Your'e from the UK and I'm from the United States. Socialism of any sort is considered taboo especially in the right-wing secular and religious community. But at the same time,we have some popular socialist programs such as medicare,medicaid,and social security. Now we have a group of right-wing radicals called the Tea Party trying to junk these programs. Your's in Christ and solidarity-Brian

 

[brian humphries]

Thank you for your comments. From a Christian and a socialist,Christ be with you!