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

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Jaxy

Member
Dec 29, 2022
32
18
8
#1
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?
 
P

persistent

Guest
#2
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?
Hey Jaxy great that you posted here. God's ultimate government is going to be a Theocracy with Jesus in control. Right now it is up to each of us to follow our elected leaders whatever leaning they have as there are Christians in likely all countries and the laws vary greatly from country to country. Almost certain there is Bible support for Christians to go with the flow of their local authorities so long as it does not conflict with the Bible.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#3
a more socalist society
Here is a video of what might be considered a socialist society of Christians. I have watched most videos of the Amish and Hutterites and Mennonites and they are inspiring but not too likely to be more than 'just' an inspirational group for us at this time. When I first started to look for 'Christianity' about 5 years ago the Amish were high on my list as people of the Book. It may have been God leading me in the right direction as the Amish 'try' to be living examples. Ephraim is one of the main subjects in this video and he puts it that way himself and you can hear him say that at 27min39sec. The whole video is nice to watch and can give you some good things to reflect on.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,251
3,090
113
#4
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?
The problem with socialism is that it ignores human nature. True Christianity begins with a change of heart. Every human institution begins with a change in philosophy. As Margaret Thatcher famously said, socialism is fine until you run out of other people's money to spend.

Christians are motivated by a desire from the inner man. It is not forced. God asks, He does not demand. This incident, in the first days of the Church, shows how this works:
Acts 5
With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Australia is more or less a socialist country. A huge percentage of the budget is spent on welfare. My wife and I are pensioners and we get subsidised most things. Many of my generation bought homes when they were comparatively cheap. Young people now find it near impossible to rent, let alone buy. If they've been to university, they have a debt to repay for what used to be free.

There is only so much money to go around. Our taxes are spent by unbelievers who have only the next election in mind. I'm not a fan of paying for abortions, gender reassignment surgery or virtue signalling education departments.
 
R

RichMan

Guest
#5
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?
Socialism as defined by most is very different from what the Bible speaks of.
The Bible speaks of sharing with others. It also speaks of those who will not work will not eat.
Socialism today is about stealing from those who work and giving to those who do not.
Many are in need because they are lazy. Unemployable because of addictions. They will not work. Will not learn a trade. Are not willing to follow the rules. Start at the bottom and work their way up.
They want free education. A 9 to 5 position.
A perfect example are the many today living of government handouts while there millions of jobs available.
Sooner or later there will be no one left willing to work to support these lazy people.
I am all for helping those who cannot help themselves. There would be an abundance of money to help those truly in need if not for the bums living off the rest of us.
 

gb9

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2011
12,266
6,638
113
#6
The problem with socialism is that it ignores human nature. True Christianity begins with a change of heart. Every human institution begins with a change in philosophy. As Margaret Thatcher famously said, socialism is fine until you run out of other people's money to spend.

Christians are motivated by a desire from the inner man. It is not forced. God asks, He does not demand. This incident, in the first days of the Church, shows how this works:
Acts 5
With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Australia is more or less a socialist country. A huge percentage of the budget is spent on welfare. My wife and I are pensioners and we get subsidised most things. Many of my generation bought homes when they were comparatively cheap. Young people now find it near impossible to rent, let alone buy. If they've been to university, they have a debt to repay for what used to be free.

There is only so much money to go around. Our taxes are spent by unbelievers who have only the next election in mind. I'm not a fan of paying for abortions, gender reassignment surgery or virtue signalling education departments.
america is about one step away from being what you just said here.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#7
Hey Jaxy great that you posted here. God's ultimate government is going to be a Theocracy with Jesus in control. Right now it is up to each of us to follow our elected leaders whatever leaning they have as there are Christians in likely all countries and the laws vary greatly from country to country. Almost certain there is Bible support for Christians to go with the flow of their local authorities so long as it does not conflict with the Bible.
Interesting. I think in the afterlife there would be no government because everything will be provided for and everybody would be without sin.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#8
Interesting. I think in the afterlife there would be no government because everything will be provided for and everybody would be without sin.
Maybe that is right and only during the millennial reign will Christ rule with a rod of iron. I think that is how the Bible puts it. Need to look closer at that.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#9
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?
Socialism essentially means that goods are owned by a central government/entity which are then distributed to the population. I think there are elements of socialism in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there was the welfare tithe (one of the three tithes). In the New Testament, in Acts, everyone combined their belongings and shared which is a form of redistribution. This was technically voluntary but I can imagine there was a great pressure to give where some felt coerced to give. There are various verses which frown upon the accumulation of wealth/material belongings which speaks against capitalism. Capitalism is built upon the idea that individual self interest drives opportunities and wealth, which benefits most people through trickle down economics. I don't think the Bible favors any economic system. In today's socialism, people may be seeking more than needs met to the point where it is more beneficial to get government assistance than work, if someone is strategic enough. Today's socialism could work against Christian work ethics; one example is people limit the number of hours worked in order to qualify for assistance.
 

Joshua_783

Active member
Sep 15, 2022
207
112
43
#10
Interesting. I think in the afterlife there would be no government because everything will be provided for and everybody would be without sin.
Ms Mediator I think you are spot on!! You seem to think things out well. 😀
 

Joshua_783

Active member
Sep 15, 2022
207
112
43
#11
Socialism essentially means that goods are owned by a central government/entity which are then distributed to the population. I think there are elements of socialism in the Bible. In the Old Testament, there was the welfare tithe (one of the three tithes). In the New Testament, in Acts, everyone combined their belongings and shared which is a form of redistribution. This was technically voluntary but I can imagine there was a great pressure to give where some felt coerced to give. There are various verses which frown upon the accumulation of wealth/material belongings which speaks against capitalism. Capitalism is built upon the idea that individual self interest drives opportunities and wealth, which benefits most people through trickle down economics. I don't think the Bible favors any economic system. In today's socialism, people may be seeking more than needs met to the point where it is more beneficial to get government assistance than work, if someone is strategic enough. Today's socialism could work against Christian work ethics; one example is people limit the number of hours worked in order to qualify for assistance.
Ms Mediator who do you thinks has a better work ethic nowadays women or men? I think some men still act as boys. Nowadays there seems to be more women in post secondary education than men.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#12
Ms Mediator who do you thinks has a better work ethic nowadays women or men? I think some men still act as boys. Nowadays there seems to be more women in post secondary education than men.
I think more boys are happy with getting a C or just passing, for example, based on my own observations in the past within my own circle. It is usually the boys who are cutting up in class. If a girl gets a lower grade, she is a bit more upset. I am not sure why. However, of course there are also boys who are interested in getting high grades.
 

Joshua_783

Active member
Sep 15, 2022
207
112
43
#13
I think more boys are happy with getting a C or just passing, for example, based on my own observations in the past within my own circle. It is usually the boys who are cutting up in class. If a girl gets a lower grade, she is a bit more upset. I am not sure why. However, of course there are also boys who are interested in getting high grades.
I noticed exactly that when I was in post secondary. What do you think may be some reasons for it? Do some men have less of a drive?
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#14
Ms Mediator who do you thinks has a better work ethic nowadays women or men? I think some men still act as boys. Nowadays there seems to be more women in post secondary education than men.
In the workplace, I don't see any difference in the work ethic between men and women. I think bosses are pretty good at judging both men and women on the same performance metrics. Also, with jobs, there is more pressure because if someone is performing badly they get fired. Getting a bad grade is not the same as getting fired.
 

Joshua_783

Active member
Sep 15, 2022
207
112
43
#15
In the workplace, I don't see any difference in the work ethic between men and women. I think bosses are pretty good at judging both men and women on the same performance metrics. Also, with jobs, there is more pressure because if someone is performing badly they get fired. Getting a bad grade is not the same as getting fired.
I agree partly, those are the men that ARE in the workplace that may have the same drive. But what about the men or (boys) that are NOT in the workplace and just playing video games and the such??
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#16
I noticed exactly that when I was in post secondary. What do you think may be some reasons for it? Do some men have less of a drive?
I think boys have less patience, and to a lesser degree, less discipline, which effects their studying. Girls have better patience.
 

Beckie

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2022
2,516
939
113
#17
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?
Christians are to give from their hearts . Socialism is , most often is, the government taking from one person so the government can give to another. Love, caring, helping,etc. can not taken it is to be given.
 

Joshua_783

Active member
Sep 15, 2022
207
112
43
#18
I think boys have less patience, and to a lesser degree, less discipline, which effects their studying. Girls have better patience.
MsMediator by the way you communicate I am guessing you took post secondary? What did you study? I studied business with majors in finance and accounting.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,070
705
113
#19
I agree partly, those are the men that ARE in the workplace that may have the same drive. But what about the men or (boys) that are NOT in the workplace and just playing video games and the such??
I am not really sure of the answer. All I can guess is that they are very comfortable not working, and they either have parents or a wife providing for them. Another reason could be that they cannot handle stress well or lack strong interpersonal skills, where going to work is not a healthy environment for them. It is also a bad cycle, if they do not have the skills or necessary knowledge, it is hard to get a job.
 

Joshua_783

Active member
Sep 15, 2022
207
112
43
#20
I am not really sure of the answer. All I can guess is that they are very comfortable not working, and they either have parents or a wife providing for them. Another reason could be that they cannot handle stress well or lack strong interpersonal skills, where going to work is not a healthy environment for them. It is also a bad cycle, if they do not have the skills or necessary knowledge, it is hard to get a job.
That is good insight. I know one person who has Aspergers and I can somewhat understand that it is harder for him to work and socialize. So I can understand. But other men or (boys) seem unmotivated. By the way I just want to mention you seem very intelligent! :)