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Author Topic:   Was Christ a communist?
Phat
Member
Posts: 18335
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.0


Message 105 of 128 (391026)
03-23-2007 7:03 AM
Reply to: Message 104 by CTD
03-23-2007 6:52 AM


Re: Where'd I go wrong?
so God invented this concept of self vs others?
or did God foreknow that humans would choose to embrace the concept?
IF God expected socialism to work, the human mind and heart would have to be radically transformed. Im not sharing my toys with just anyone...they hafta be my friend first.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 104 by CTD, posted 03-23-2007 6:52 AM CTD has replied

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Phat
Member
Posts: 18335
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.0


Message 114 of 128 (618524)
06-03-2011 6:08 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by ringo
03-13-2007 11:43 AM


Real Life...real issues
quote:
There's a long history of Christian communism, going back way before the modern secular and often atheistic or anti-theistic communism with which the word is usually associated today. Many have argued that the various forms of Marxism were born out of the Christian ethos.
Here are two obvious examples of the kind of Biblical extracts used by Christian communists to make their point:
Acts 2: 42, 44, and 45:
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and in fellowship ... 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Matthew 19:16-24
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why do you ask me about what is good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(both King James Version)
You can see the similarity between the first and the basic principle of all communists: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".
I think that Christian communists/socialists can draw very strong arguments from the teachings of Christ.
So the topic for discussion is what the title says:
Was Christ a communist? And I'd like to hear the opinions of both Christians and others on the subject. The implications are that if he was, then all Christians should, of course, be communists.
American Christians (at least the CCoI ones) are quite anti communist. Personally, I am all for global equality, as long as I can still enjoy the standard of living I now have and as long as I am not actually in poverty.

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Phat
Member
Posts: 18335
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.0


Message 116 of 128 (618586)
06-04-2011 5:20 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by ringo
03-13-2007 12:35 PM


Redistribution Of Wealth
ringo writes:
Jesus lived in poverty and advocated an austere lifestyle. I agree that that doesn't necessarily make Him a communist.
I think the real question is: Was Jesus' message, "Sell what you have and give to the poor," meant to be universal? If everybody sells what they have, who do they sell it to?
It seems to me that He wasn't saying, "Don't be rich." He was saying, "Don't be too rich."
He was advocating redistribution of wealth, not equality of wealth.
The redistribution of wealth is or will be destined to become a controversial topic among Christians, both globally and domestically. I see nowhere that Jesus advocates that we become venture capitalists, so that we can give to the kingdom and write it off on our taxes. That being said, I dont think that I should have to pay higher taxes and give more to the poor if I myself feel myself becoming poor also. Jesus and I should have a little talk...I feel that I am not a worthy Christian.

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Replies to this message:
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