What is Socialism?

[Sparko]

There was that one specific incident in Acts where there was an immediate need, and the Church chose to take care of the needs of their Church family separate and apart from the civil government. We, as a Church, still do that today.

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with civil government.

Christians still give to the church to help those in need. So I have no idea what JimL is going on about. It wasn't about government. The government of the time was the Romans. Caesar. And the Christians were in hiding from them and had to sell their land and homes and band together to survive.

[JimL]

He told the rich guy to do that because he wanted him to realize that his money was keeping him from being saved. There are plenty of rich people in the bible who didn't have to give everything to the poor.

Not to mention Jesus said, "GIVE" and not "TAKE from this man and give to the poor"

Socialism is all about judging that some people have too much and taking it away from them to give it to people they think deserve it, while pocketing a large chunk for "administration"

No, that's just what you want to believe socialism is, that way you don't have to feel as guilty with respect to your own greed. Socialism isn't about judging some people to have to much, it's about insuring that all people have enough. "To each according to their need." That comes first, then people can have as much money as fulfills their desire.

[Cow Poke]

Christians still give to the church to help those in need.

Even as he is blundering on about this, I'm thinking about the fact that - in just about 30 minutes - Jim (the guy who had the liver transplant) will be here in tremendously wonderful physical condition, and would have DIED had our Church not supplied the $10,000 to get him into the hospital for the transplant. Jim will be working with us on replacing ceiling tiles in our fellowship hall -- where we fellowship.

So I have no idea what JimL is going on about.

He's a lonely bitter old fart who has nothing better to do than attack Christians and Christianity.

It wasn't about government. The government of the time was the Romans. Caesar. And the Christians were in hiding from them and had to sell their land and homes and band together to survive.

EGGzackly.

[Cow Poke]

No, that's just what you want to believe socialism is, that way you don't have to feel as guilty with respect to your own greed.

What a judgmental old fool!

Socialism isn't about judging some people.....

Focus on that thought, Jimmy.

[rogue06]

No, what I'm saying is that you, as a christian, have a choice in what kind of government you want to live under, you can choose to be governed as the christians chose to govern themselves, or you can choose to be hypocrites. As republicans, you've chosen to be hypocrites. What do you think Jesus and the early christians would have thought concerning healthcare for all from a government perspective?

I believe that He would be telling us that we should be taking care of it voluntarily and not forcing those who disagree to do so. The former is Christian charity whereas the latter is socialist "charity" (showing your "generosity" with other people's money).

[JimL]

There was that one specific incident in Acts where there was an immediate need, and the Church chose to take care of the needs of their Church family separate and apart from the civil government. We, as a Church, still do that today.

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with civil government. Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament regarding how Christians should live, never taught it, let alone mentioned it.

Keep telling yourself the one has nothing to do with the other, but you're only fooling yourselves.

[Cow Poke]

Keep telling yourself the one has nothing to do with the other, but you're only fooling yourselves.

So, you no longer believe in the separation of church and state?

[Cow Poke]

I believe that He would be telling us that we should be taking care of it voluntarily and not forcing those who disagree to do so. The former is Christian charity whereas the latter is socialist "charity" (showing your "generosity" with other people's money).

Christian Charity - willingly giving because we are motivated by the heart
Social "Charity" - giving because we are forced to by law, often against our will

[rogue06]

Jim knows this. He's just trolling at this point.

Possibly. Or you give him too much credit.

[One Bad Pig]

No, that's just what you want to believe socialism is, that way you don't have to feel as guilty with respect to your own greed. Socialism isn't about judging some people to have to much, it's about insuring that all people have enough. "To each according to their need." That comes first, then people can have as much money as fulfills their desire.

The first part CAN'T work without the second, Jim. Money doesn't grow on trees. Socialism can't work without envy and covetousness, however cloaked in pious pablum about helping the poor.

[JimL]

The first part CAN'T work without the second, Jim. Money doesn't grow on trees. Socialism can't work without envy and covetousness, however cloaked in pious pablum about helping the poor.

Feel better now?

[rogue06]

So, you no longer believe in the separation of church and state?

Which brings us back again to my concluding statement in the studiously avoided post #100

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.

[One Bad Pig]

Feel better now?

Now that you've confirmed that you're trolling, yes.

[JimL]

Me thinks ya'll are protesting too much!

[One Bad Pig]

Me thinks ya'll are protesting too much!

I'm shocked, shocked, that you would say such a thing.