hewhoiskrunk (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} hewhoiskrunk) wrote,@ 2005-04-22 15:10:00 |
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Christianity and Socialism, one in the same, to me anyway, collectivism is evil.
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Introduction
There was a time when socialism was once advocated only by theorists Since socialism's inception it has been critical of competing ideologies such as liberalism and conservatism. Though socialism is of recent origin, you can find a lot of it's policies coming from old Judeo-Christan traditions. One of the topics of discussion which comes up every so often is the connection between fervent evangelical Christianity and equally fervent anti-communism. In the minds of many, atheism and communism are indelibly linked, and political actions opposed to communism have long taken the form of strengthening public Christianity. Here I will explain some of the links between the bible and tradtions that have influenced modern day socialism.
The Holy Bible
If you read in the book of Book of Deuteronomy, for example if you read in chapter 15 about the the year of release from debt, debts are to be forgiven and property be given to any poor living within the community of god's people. If someone resists following the commandment, preferring to his to keep his or her individual property and/or insisting that any debts outstanding be paid. The Christian god's response to this is unambiguous, Resistance to this release of debt is an act of sin.
Another instance is in Book of Acts where early Christians sold their goods routinely for the good of common stock. When Ananias decided to hold back some of his property, to himself, he fell dead. The first book of Timothy you find that the apostle counseling against the pursuit of self-gratification.
All that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
(Acts 2:44-45)
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
(Acts 4:34-37)
Of course, in addition to the above, there are many, many statements attributed to Jesus which emphasize doing all that you can to help the poor — even to the point of him recommending that a rich man sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor if he really wishes to get into heaven. The Old Testament also indicates that something akin to communism is the preferable way to live:
This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather of it, every man of you, as much as he can eat; you shall take an omer apiece, according to the number of persons who each of you has in his tent. And the people of Israel did so; they gathered some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to what he could eat
(Ex. 16:16-1Cool
On the Christan Socialists
Christian socialists draw parallels between what some have characterized as the egalitarian and anti-establishment message of Jesus, who certainly spoke against the religious authorities of his time, and the egalitarian, anti-establishment, and sometimes anti-clerical message of most contemporary socialisms. Some Christian Socialists have gone as far as to become active Communists. This phenomenon was most common among Christian missionaries in China who became supportive of the struggle of the Chinese Communist Party in the 1930s and 1940s.
On Mormons
Mormonism has had a mixed relationship with socialism in its various forms. In the earliest days of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Jr. had established a form of religious communism, an idea made popular during the Second Great Awakening, combined with a move toward theocracy. Mormons referred to this form of theocratic communism as the United Order, or the Law of Consecration. While short-lived during the life of Joseph Smith, the United Order was re-established for a time in several communities of Utah during the theocratic political leadership of Brigham Young.
In addition to religious socialism, many Mormons in Utah were receptive to the secular socialist movement that began in America during the 1890s. During the 1890s to the 1920s, the Utah Social Democratic Party, which became part of the Socialist Party of America in 1901, elected about 100 socialists to state offices in Utah. An estimated 40% of Utah Socialists were Mormon.
Although it may appear that Mormons were at a time sympathetic towards socialist-related causes and did in fact practice a form of religious communism, care must be taken not to consider Joseph Smith, Jr. teachings as being derived from, related to, or equivalent to today's idea of Socialism, Communism, or Marxism. The type of communism as practiced by ancient Christians and Mormons was implemented in such a way as to preserve their God-given right of free agency or free will of all those who practiced this concept. Whereas today's communism seeks to redistribute wealth and bring about economic equality by force and violent revolution, ancient Christians and Mormons sought to bring about absolute equality to their people through love and willful obedience to God's commandments. The latter did not trample upon the rights of free agency and free will in order to bring about such equality. But rather was promoted by love for one's neighbor, a "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" mentality, and by a tremendous love for God that could cause a change in one's heart and temperament to serve each other completely. Therefore, Mormons believe that what Marxism seeks to bring about by force and without religion can actually come to pass by love, without force, and with the aid of the hand of God.
Although biblical teachings are subjected to many interpretations. You can see how certain socialist oriented readers find insight in these passages. A reoccurring theme emerges from these passages. That the needs of one might be sacrificed for the good of all. A modern liberal might would likely agree that Ananias had the right to make his own decisions about holding his personal possessions Yet the biblical teachings in the passages cited lead to different outcomes. The duties to god and god's people are more important then the preferences of that of the single individual.
Cited Work - Like I care to list much on the issue, this is just slander :)
Analyzing Politics 3rd Edition, Ellen Grigsby
Wikipedia
Christian Socialist Movement Website
About.com
=Introduction
There was a time when socialism was once advocated only by theorists Since socialism's inception it has been critical of competing ideologies such as liberalism and conservatism. Though socialism is of recent origin, you can find a lot of it's policies coming from old Judeo-Christan traditions. One of the topics of discussion which comes up every so often is the connection between fervent evangelical Christianity and equally fervent anti-communism. In the minds of many, atheism and communism are indelibly linked, and political actions opposed to communism have long taken the form of strengthening public Christianity. Here I will explain some of the links between the bible and tradtions that have influenced modern day socialism.
The Holy Bible
If you read in the book of Book of Deuteronomy, for example if you read in chapter 15 about the the year of release from debt, debts are to be forgiven and property be given to any poor living within the community of god's people. If someone resists following the commandment, preferring to his to keep his or her individual property and/or insisting that any debts outstanding be paid. The Christian god's response to this is unambiguous, Resistance to this release of debt is an act of sin.
Another instance is in Book of Acts where early Christians sold their goods routinely for the good of common stock. When Ananias decided to hold back some of his property, to himself, he fell dead. The first book of Timothy you find that the apostle counseling against the pursuit of self-gratification.
All that believed were together, and had all things in common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
(Acts 2:44-45)
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
(Acts 4:34-37)
Of course, in addition to the above, there are many, many statements attributed to Jesus which emphasize doing all that you can to help the poor — even to the point of him recommending that a rich man sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor if he really wishes to get into heaven. The Old Testament also indicates that something akin to communism is the preferable way to live:
This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather of it, every man of you, as much as he can eat; you shall take an omer apiece, according to the number of persons who each of you has in his tent. And the people of Israel did so; they gathered some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to what he could eat
(Ex. 16:16-1Cool
On the Christan Socialists
Christian socialists draw parallels between what some have characterized as the egalitarian and anti-establishment message of Jesus, who certainly spoke against the religious authorities of his time, and the egalitarian, anti-establishment, and sometimes anti-clerical message of most contemporary socialisms. Some Christian Socialists have gone as far as to become active Communists. This phenomenon was most common among Christian missionaries in China who became supportive of the struggle of the Chinese Communist Party in the 1930s and 1940s.
On Mormons
Mormonism has had a mixed relationship with socialism in its various forms. In the earliest days of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Jr. had established a form of religious communism, an idea made popular during the Second Great Awakening, combined with a move toward theocracy. Mormons referred to this form of theocratic communism as the United Order, or the Law of Consecration. While short-lived during the life of Joseph Smith, the United Order was re-established for a time in several communities of Utah during the theocratic political leadership of Brigham Young.
In addition to religious socialism, many Mormons in Utah were receptive to the secular socialist movement that began in America during the 1890s. During the 1890s to the 1920s, the Utah Social Democratic Party, which became part of the Socialist Party of America in 1901, elected about 100 socialists to state offices in Utah. An estimated 40% of Utah Socialists were Mormon.
Although it may appear that Mormons were at a time sympathetic towards socialist-related causes and did in fact practice a form of religious communism, care must be taken not to consider Joseph Smith, Jr. teachings as being derived from, related to, or equivalent to today's idea of Socialism, Communism, or Marxism. The type of communism as practiced by ancient Christians and Mormons was implemented in such a way as to preserve their God-given right of free agency or free will of all those who practiced this concept. Whereas today's communism seeks to redistribute wealth and bring about economic equality by force and violent revolution, ancient Christians and Mormons sought to bring about absolute equality to their people through love and willful obedience to God's commandments. The latter did not trample upon the rights of free agency and free will in order to bring about such equality. But rather was promoted by love for one's neighbor, a "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" mentality, and by a tremendous love for God that could cause a change in one's heart and temperament to serve each other completely. Therefore, Mormons believe that what Marxism seeks to bring about by force and without religion can actually come to pass by love, without force, and with the aid of the hand of God.
Although biblical teachings are subjected to many interpretations. You can see how certain socialist oriented readers find insight in these passages. A reoccurring theme emerges from these passages. That the needs of one might be sacrificed for the good of all. A modern liberal might would likely agree that Ananias had the right to make his own decisions about holding his personal possessions Yet the biblical teachings in the passages cited lead to different outcomes. The duties to god and god's people are more important then the preferences of that of the single individual.
Cited Work - Like I care to list much on the issue, this is just slander :)
Analyzing Politics 3rd Edition, Ellen Grigsby
Wikipedia
Christian Socialist Movement Website
About.com
