Don't get me wrong, I'm a proponent of capitalism (in concert with a robust regulatory framework to limit its potential excesses). However, I find it quite curious that the concepts of socialism and communism are so taboo. Furthermore, it seems especially strange that Christians, of all people, seem to consider communism/socialism as the 8th deadly sin. It's as if they think that all that is necessary is to cry "SOCIALISM!" to reveal any tax proposal or social program funded by a progressive tax system as blatantly un-American.
In a recent blog post titled "Is Capitalism Christian?", Pastor Bob Cornwall quotes Jose Miranda:
The notion of communism is in the New Testament, right down to the letter -- and so well put that in the twenty centuries since it was written no one has come up with a better definition of communism than Luke in Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32-35. In fact the definition Marx borrowed from Louis Blanc, "From each one according to his capacities, to each one according to his needs," is inspired by, if not directly copied from Luke's formulation eighteen centuries earlier. There is no clearer demonstration of the brainwashing to which the establishment keeps us subjected than the officially promulgated conception of Christianity as anticommunist (Jose Miranda, Communism in the Bible, Orbis Books, 1982, p. 7).
To refresh your memory about the passages Miranda cites:
Acts 2:44-45
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Acts 4:32-35
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Of course, I understand that the voluntary charitable acts of community described in Acts 2 and 4 are not equivalent to a political system, especially the totalitarian ones of the historical and present-day communist regimes, where such actions are coerced. On the other hand, these principles of community and caring for one another and the least of us are clearly fundamental to the Christian worldview, yet most Christians, myself included, don't routinely put these principles to practice in a way that is consistent with the example of Acts 2. Ironically, it seems like some of the people who are most eager for the US of A to be an explicitly Christian nation are some of the same that are so strongly antagonistic to these particular Christian principles being implemented in our government.
The other thing that is funny is the way McCain and his supporters are so quick to brand Obama's proposals as socialist and as radically different from the system we've had in place ever since the income tax was instituted - as if McCain himself wasn't making many of the same arguments just a few years ago. Here's the video:
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Comments
In Acts, it was voluntary
In Acts, it was voluntary and charitable to do so. Obama wants to force us to participate and tell us how much and when we have to give. VERY different.
The difference is where the
The difference is where the money goes. I as a taxpayer have no control if the government wants to fund abortions. As a giver of my own money the way I want I control who I donate to and who I don't. The passages do not apply at all. Now I need to go write yet another $878 donation check.
Indeed, and I have no say
Indeed, and I have no say ultimately in whether my money goes for CIA operatives waterboarding prisoners or launching pre-emptive wars or . . . But, then again, I do have the choice in who represents me in Congress.
Sometimes I feel like you're
Sometimes I feel like you're bating me, but then I realize I'm not the center of the universe.
I think people fail to understand capitalism in its proper framework. Capitalism isn't about everybody trying to get rich at the expense of others. Capitalism is merely the free exchange of goods between free people, which leads to specialization so that scarce resources are efficiently produced and the largest number of people can receive the most quality from said resources.
That being said, there are questions as to whether or not these free transactions are really free, for what exactly is freedom?
But, to call what the Christians practiced "communism" is a partisan, disgusting, and dare I say, idiotic statement. Sharing what you have because of your love of God and people, rather than because you don't have anything (which is communism. no private ownership of property) and hoping that "altruistic" people (who just happen to desire a large amount of power) in government give you what you need. Communism is about as ANTI christian as things get. Instead of trusting in the Lord to provide for your needs, you trust in an all powerful government. That seems absolutely antithetical to Christianity.
Truth is, Christian Government in and of itself is antithetical, because Christians are under the rule of only one, and that is God. We happen to be sojourners in a strange land, where, whatever the system, we live the prophetic life of citizenship of the Kingdom of God.
This is why I don't vote, because to vote and try to rationalize your vote with christianity is near impossible. And it often times leads to bad people doing worse things, in the name of God no less. Stand with me. DON'T VOTE. LIVE OUR KINGDOM!
Justin, I don't bait you for
Justin,
I don't bait you for fun. I usually have enough entertainment options to keep me busy, but that's a good suggestion I'll try to remember if I ever get bored. ;-)