Christian Communism (Christians Only)

[Laika]

Hey everyone,

As you may be aware, some people argue that there is a degree of overlap between Christianity and Communism. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on a few things:

1. Do you think the view that "the teachings of Jesus Christ compell Christians to support [a form of] communism as an ideal social system" such as the teaching of the surmon on the mount or Acts 4:32-35? Or do you think Jesus and the Christian God commands their adherents to support Private Property as a human right?

2. Do you think Capitalism encourages many negative aspects in human nature such as greed, selfishness or indifference to social injustice that are contary to Christian teaching?

3. Were attempts at Christian Communism in the 20th century such as Liberation theology a legitimate christian response to social greivances or simply hijacking Christian beliefs for a political agenda?

4. Do you view the "renovationists" or living Church as a puppet of the Soviet government or that there is more to it than that? [I think Orthodox members will be aware of this given its recent history but just in case: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Church ]

5. Do you agree with the Catholic Church that philosophical materialism (as a basis of marxist communism) is irreconciably opposed to Christianity?

[If your interested, there is the 1937 encyclical of Pope Pius XI below:
https://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-.../hf_p-xi_enc_19370319_divini-redemptoris.html ]

6. Do you think Christians as a community have a responsibility to uphold freedom of religion for Christians who are persecuted in the remaining communist countries, such as China, Cuba and North Korea?

To break the ice, Feel free to attack Communist beliefs, practices or history where you feel its appropriate. Its your DIR and given what my comrades have done and continue to do to your counter-parts you are more than entitled to do so. (I'm more than used to being compared to Nazis as libertarians do it all the time ). I will keep my replies to a minimum only to clarify something if I dont understand. It is your space afterall. I'm just interested in hearing some different views and better understand how you as Christians see the relationship between Christianity and Communism. If you want to add anything extra that you think may be of interest, feel free. I will read all your responses long or short.

 

[wicketkeeper]

I am against communism and capitalism, and am wary of the institution commonly referred to as the Roman Catholic Church.
I maybe somewhat of a dreamer and long for the way when we are not reliant on money. Bartering and community are what matters. Sad that we are in dark bondage to the way of Man.

 

[atpollard]

1. Do you think the view that "the teachings of Jesus Christ compell Christians to support [a form of] communism as an ideal social system" such as the teaching of the surmon on the mount or Acts 4:32-35? Or do you think Jesus and the Christian God commands their adherents to support Private Property as a human right?

Private Property.

In Acts 5:3-4
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Peter tells the man that the property belonged to him and when he sold it the money belonged to him. His 'sin' was lying about the sale and claiming that he had given all when he had not. The requirement was not to share all, but to be honest and to share what you wished freely.

In practice, Communism will remove the choice from the individual by compelling common ownership. Thus it is incompatible with the spirit of "God loves a cheerful giver".

Capitalism isn't particularly "Christian" either, but that wasn't your question.

 

[atpollard]

2. Do you think Capitalism encourages many negative aspects in human nature such as greed, selfishness or indifference to social injustice that are contary to Christian teaching?

I think the form of government is a non issue.
The human heart is terminally corrupt and incapable of any other nature. Greed, selfishness, indifference and social injustice will exist in any and all forms of government from the complete anarchy of the American West to the most totalitarian police state like North Korea. Look at Cuba. Did they achieve paradise under rampant capitalism pre-Castro? Did they achieve egalitarianism under Fidel Castro? Was there any real difference for the average man on the street over who was exploiting him, the capitalist business owner or the government political boss? Greed was still greed. Injustice was still injustice.

By eradicating religion, communism tends to remove a counterbalance for negative social forces and suffers alcoholism and corruption as a result. Capitalism tends to manifest in unbridled greed and hedonism. Both fail in their basic social contract with the governed and plant the seeds of their own downfall.

 

[Politesse]

Commonalities: Greed is bad and communality is good. There are or should be no fundamental differences between human beings. Skepticism about the ultimate value of currency. Concern for the poor and sick. The Bougies totally suck and are probably doomed in the afterlife.

Differences: Trusting a government to fairly manage things. Trusting economists to fairly manage things. Violence as an acceptable means of social transformation.

The gospels assume private property, but I have a hard time believing that they meant to advocate for it; they also state that all things ultimately belong to God, which is neither a particularly communist nor capitalist perspective on "stuff".