It sounds like an oxymoron, right? Or, at the very least, like a moron wrote it. How could Christians be for socialism, the political and economic philosophy that wanted to wipe out religion, especially Christianity?
In our current political system, just about anything the President does is deemed “socialism:” The bailout – socialism; environmental reform – socialism; health care – socialism. Anytime we hear about regulation, big government, more government, or any of the other buzz words, we automatically start calling it socialism. The question needs to be asked, “Is that a bad thing?”
“Of course it is!” some might shout. But if what is being called socialism is such a bad thing, we need to make some changes.
First, no more driving on roads and highways. I am tired of government taking my hard earned money to make it convenient for me to get from point A to point B.
Second, we need to get rid of the pesky U. S. Postal Service. They keep loading up my mailbox with bills and junk mail I don’t want. That get’s downright annoying. I will just use FedEx or UPS from here on out. Let them deliver my Christmas, Easter, and Birthday cards. Besides, government competition is unfair and will drive people out of business – well, eventually.
Third, our kids are over educated. High school graduates reading at an 8th grade level is absurd. Why should I even want them educated that much? I could use that money for other philanthropic endeavors, like saving the endangered Key Largo Cotton Mouse. Let China pay for their students to do all that math and science stuff – the communists!
Fourth, we see how often planes get into crashes in the United States. Let’s get government out of air traffic control and do it ourselves. Private enterprise always does it better, just ask Enron, WorldCom, and AIG – they know. And what was Ronald Reagan thinking? Air traffic controllers should be allowed to strike.
Fifth, old people are a waste of money – they are about to die anyway. Starting yesterday, no, two days ago, we need to revoke all of their Medicare. Forget the little kids too. Do they pay taxes? No! Let’s scrap Medicaid while we are at it.
Seems a little extreme doesn’t it? But those are all “socialist” programs. Does that make socialism bad or good then? Like anything, it can be both, depending on how it is being utilized by those in power. But as a Christian, I should go to the Bible and see what it says. Obviously, Jesus and the early Christian Church would not support socialist type activities – that would be un-American. I can still be saved.
2 Corinthians 8:14 – “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality” (NIV)
Matthew 19:21 – Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (NIV)
Acts 2:44-47 – All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (NIV)
Acts 4:32, 34-35 – 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. 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 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (NIV)
Sure, the early Church thought Jesus was coming right back, but people think (hope) that that is about to happen now, so what is the excuse? There are plenty of other passages to support a socialist-like approach, or a more compassionate capitalism, but as Jesus’ acts could not all be written down, because the world is not big enough for the books, there is not enough room in this column to write down all the Biblical passages that are socialist, errr, Christian, I mean, socialist.
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