What is Socialism?

[Cow Poke]

Not that I agree with common ownership, but tell it to the Apostles. Although I understand that christians have long ago rationalized that biblical teaching away.

A) It was never a "biblical teaching"
2) It was a temporary situation for an immediate need, and completely voluntary
C) Your ignorance of scripture is duly noted

[Cow Poke]

That wasn't a nation, it was a group of people helping each other out, a family not a government. And nobody was forced to give anything. They shared it. Things they OWNED and EARNED themselves. Charity is not communism.

EGGzackly. Descriptive, not prescriptive.

[JimL]

EGGzackly. Descriptive, not prescriptive.

Like I said, I understand that christians have long ago rationalized those undesirable biblical teachings away.

[Cow Poke]

Like I said, I understand that christians have long ago rationalized those undesirable biblical teachings away.

Repeating something really dumb and false does not make it any smarter or truererer.

That is no more a "biblical teaching" than "Judas went out and hanged himself" is a call to suicide.

How bout this, mr Jeenyus Bibble Skoller ---- post the exact scripture that instructs us to... do whatever you think that scripture is telling us to do.

I'll wait.

[JimL]

Repeating something really dumb and false does not make it any smarter or truererer.

That is no more a "biblical teaching" than "Judas went out and hanged himself" is a call to suicide.

How bout this, mr Jeenyus Bibble Skoller ---- post the exact scripture that instructs us to... do whatever you think that scripture is telling us to do.

I'll wait.

To paraphrase Acts: "No one lacked for anything, for all who possesed property sold it and shared it in common." But do tell, do you think Jesus would support a government system that supports a "survival of the fittest" philosophy?

[Cow Poke]

To paraphrase Acts: "No one lacked for anything, for all who possesed property sold it and shared it in common."

Why is it so hard for you to post an actual scripture reference? Will it make you spontaneously combust or something?

Please try again without the diversionary nonsense.

Repeating something really dumb and false does not make it any smarter or truererer.

That is no more a "biblical teaching" than "Judas went out and hanged himself" is a call to suicide.

How bout this, mr Jeenyus Bibble Skoller ---- post the exact scripture that instructs us to... do whatever you think that scripture is telling us to do.

I'll wait.

Especially the part where it instructs us to do likewise.

[Charles]

To paraphrase Acts: "No one lacked for anything, for all who possesed property sold it and shared it in common." But do tell, do you think Jesus would support a government system that supports a "survival of the fittest" philosophy?

JimL you need to learn to read it in context. That usully means that words don't mean what they say in the verse but often something rather different or contrary to what one would think because.... That's what some Christians have found convenient after all.

[Sparko]

To paraphrase Acts: "No one lacked for anything, for all who possesed property sold it and shared it in common." But do tell, do you think Jesus would support a government system that supports a "survival of the fittest" philosophy?

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

[One Bad Pig]

JimL you need to learn to read it in context. That usully means that words don't mean what they say in the verse but often something rather different or contrary to what one would think because.... That's what some Christians have found convenient after all.

Troll harder, bro.

[rogue06]

That wasn't a nation, it was a group of people helping each other out, a family not a government. And nobody was forced to give anything. They shared it. Things they OWNED and EARNED themselves. Charity is not communism.

Precisely. It was how they took care of themselves and each other -- a very small group that in effect was an extended family. Nowhere is it even suggested that this was supposed to be a blueprint for how a nation or government should do things. In fact I Timothy 5:8, where we read

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

makes it clear that it is an individual responsibility and not something to be sloughed on to some group. The simple fact of the matter is that Jesus instructed His followers to take care of the poor. He never said anything about getting government to force others to do so.

Moreover, in II Thessalonians 3:10 Paul tells us that any assistance that we give out needs to be paired with responsibility

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Those who slack off, refuse to work, and expect a handout should get nothing. They should be refused aid. That contradicts the whole "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" mantra of the left.

The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) has the main character giving according to their ability not according to their need. And note how he took back what he gave the servant who buried the money and did nothing with it rather than used it to increase the owners wealth and gave it to the servant who had increased his wealth ten-fold.

And let's be blunt, socialism is not about sharing but rather seizing someone's property by force or threat of force (if you don't voluntarily hand it over) and giving it away including to those who do nothing but hold out their hand and then demand more. And keep in mind that the Bible does not condone in any way shape or form someone demanding money from others. Instead it explicitly teaches that we should not covet what others have (Exodus 20:17; cf. Deuteronomy 5:21)

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s

Socialism teaches that we should look at what other people have, crave it and then decide on what should be taken away from them so that we can have it.

Finally, "common ownership" didn't mean everything was shared. As Acts Acts 12:12; 16:40; Romans 16:3-5; Colossians 4:15 makes clear some Christians (including John Mark -- the first reference) still owned property and their own homes, allowing them to be used upon occasion as meeting places for the church.




I always find it ironic how those who refuse to listen to Him and scream about separation of Church and State whenever someone quotes Scripture when talking about social policy suddenly turn around and seek to try to use Him to support something they want.

[Cow Poke]

JimL you need to learn to read it in context. That usully means that words don't mean what they say in the verse but often something rather different or contrary to what one would think because.... That's what some Christians have found convenient after all.

OK, you're up to bat! Show where there's any instruction for us to sell our homes and give it all to the Apostles, or that this in any way could be construed as a "biblical teaching".

For extra points, show where that has anything whatsoever to do with civil government.

[Starlight]

Some of us actually earn it, Starlight. I know that's a really foreign concept. But some of us earn money, manage it well, pay our taxes, and on TOP of that, give cheerfully to others in need. Please let me know what I'm doing wrong.

Well, to quote Jesus, if you want to be perfect give all your money to the poor.

Also, to quote me, be less whiny and defensive.

[One Bad Pig]

Well, to quote Jesus, if you want to be perfect give all your money to the poor.

Context, starlight.

[Cow Poke]

Also, to quote me, be less whiny and defensive.

Whiny and defensive? Asking Jimmy to back up his twisted theology is "whiny and defensive"?

[Cow Poke]

Well, to quote Jesus, if you want to be perfect give all your money to the poor.

Which, aside from being ripped out of context, has absolutely ZERO to do with civil government.

Please try again.