Is it normal to believe the bible mandates socialism?

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In America, Republicans are the party of Christianity and opposing separation of church and state. But they are also the party of ruthless crony capitalism and leaving the poor to their fates. I believe this is a contradiction of the book they believe. Here are some quotes from the New Testament expressing socialist values.

Matthew 6:24- No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

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.”

Matthew 19:23-24- Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 25:34-45- (Not going to quote the whole thing because it's long, but the end sums it up: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these [brothers and sisters of mine], you did not do for me." You may recognize that line from Stephen Colbert referring to it when answering Rep. Chu's question during his Congressional testimony.)

Luke 3:11- John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

(Redistribution of wealth, much?)

Luke 6:20, 24- Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God... But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Acts 20:35- In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

1 Corinthians 4:7- For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

(That's right, "you didn't build that" is right there in the Bible. Paul the Apostle said it two millennia before Obama did.)

2 Corinthians 8:13-15- Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

Galatians 5:14- For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 6:2- Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Timothy 6:10- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

James 5:1- Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.

1 John 3:17- If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

These show that any true Christian would embrace socialism as carrying out God's will. Jesus himself told followers to give away their possessions and live in poverty. Not only is the conservative refusal to help the poor evil, it's hypocritical.

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Based on 28 votes (23 yes)
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Comments ( 14 )
  • shade_ilmaendu
    11 years ago

    I never thought about it to make the connection before, but it does make a lot of sense.

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  • dom180
    11 years ago

    That just proves that the bible is contradictory when you try and apply it to modern day constructs like today's political system.

    EDIT: Unless this is copypasta, I'm impressed you took the time though :)

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  • q25t
    11 years ago

    Well, it's a good enough point, but I think there is one problem with the theory. In most sects of Christianity, one must actually CHOOSE to give to the less fortunate, not be told to by the government.

    On a side note, this verse, Matthew 19:23-24, is often misunderstood.

    The meaning of words changes a lot over the course of millenia. The eye of a needle referenced here actually refers to the gates of a city, which kind of entirely reverses the meaning of the verse.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      So Christians use government to force their morality on others for all kinds of issues like abortion and gay marriage, but when it comes to the one thing where their philosophy can do some good, the government shouldn't help? Besides, they're not even choosing to give to the less fortunate. As long as there are poor people in our community, there's no reason for anyone to be rich. Reread 2 Corinthians 8:13-15. "The goal is equality." If you said that was a quote from the Communist Manifesto, people would believe you.

      Second, socialism has nothing to do with the government telling people what to do. Socialism is an anarchist concept. It is from anarchist literature that we receive the line "property is theft!" Socialism is about the people banding together in realizing that cooperation is what is best for everyone. In that, it's the furthest thing there is from government control. It is a transcendence in the way the community thinks, a philosophy that has us doing these things not because we are told to, but because we know we should. True socialism is part of anarchy, as capitalism could not exist without the government keeping the rich comfortable and controlling the balance of power. When you equate socialism with Communism and believe that socialism means more government power, not less, you are a victim of conservative mind games. Educate yourself. Turn off the TV and open a book. And I don't mean a book written by Glenn Beck.

      And saying the Bible has a mistranslation isn't doing their view any favors when the Bible is also supposed to be inerrant and divinely inspired. And even if you left out that verse, it's obvious from all the other ones that Jesus and his followers did not take kindly to the rich.

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      • robbieforgotpw
        11 years ago

        What about the passage... Bible Google if a man will not work neither shall he eat.

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      • 1000yrVampireKing
        11 years ago

        Well we have to have some kind of moral set in place. The fact is we need some kind of idea or structure for what is wrong and what is right. If not you open it to abusing and raping women, murdering children and stealing. That is not a world very many people are safe in. If you think about it the overall rules are very basic. They say do not cheat, steal, lie. Respect your parents and pay your fair share. Love thy naibor as you love yourself. So in other wards "Treats others how you want to be treated". So treat people with some respect. Sure these might seem very conservative but should we not be doing this already? Should we not already know rape and murder is wrong? Sadly many do not follow or know these rules. We still have rapist, murderers and people that beat the children they have. If people did what they should we would not need the laws. However sad fact is we will always have people who will go against what they should do and hurt others.

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      • q25t
        11 years ago

        To your first paragraph, no I don't think Christians should force their beliefs on anyone, especially not through the law.

        "Besides, they're not even choosing to give to the less fortunate."

        This is unfortunately true in most cases, although the practicing Christians are obligated to give to the poor. Although, with the social programs that are in place right now, much of our disposable income goes to the poor anyways so I believe many consider that "good enough."

        "Socialism has nothing to do with the government telling people what to do. Socialism is an anarchist concept"

        This may be true in theory but in practice, it is far from the case. On a large scale like the United States economy, central planning and a massive government is requisite to even facilitate the distribution of product to the people.

        You mentioned that you wished me to educate myself. Do you have anything you'd reccommend?

        On the last point, I was simply bringing up an interesting tidbit, not trying to make any point.

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  • MissyLeyneous
    11 years ago

    To everyone who wants to tell this person to STFU:

    No, YOU STFU. That's right, I went there. This person has as much of a right to talk about shit like this, as YOU do to talk about your penis' sizes, weed, and how your boyfriend broke up with you.

    So I say, respectfully, TITS OR GTFO.

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  • Wendell
    11 years ago

    It advocates welfare, but more on a personal level I think. Socialism as a form of government is not advocated, more like charity from all

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  • esoteric.agenda
    11 years ago

    op I bet a Republican can find a some verse In the Bible supporting Republicans belief ...the bible is a book which means it can be interpreted any way a man chooses... although I do believe the those texts kinda note kinda ...share socialistic values ..so I would say its normal ..although again the bible can be used to mandate ALMOST anything. also nice to see fellow socialist online!

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  • americanhoney
    11 years ago

    Shit the fuuuuuck up already.

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  • KnightNigelWellingtonXXI
    11 years ago

    There are two things that should never be discussed online.
    Politics and religion.
    So for the love of God, shut the fuck up and go back to smoking weed or whatever it is you do in your spare time.

    Signed,
    Knight Nigel Wellington XXI

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    • shade_ilmaendu
      11 years ago

      I think you mean at the dinner table, good Sir Knight. :P The internet is one of the biggest places people discuss this shit.

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    • howaminotmyself
      11 years ago

      I almost got kicked out of a bar for talking politics and religion. The bartender had two rules, no conversations about politics or religion. We weren't being offensive and everything remained civil, he just didn't like it. Which was sad because it was a good and thought provoking conversation. It's a shame this isn't encouraged.

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