Kyle wrote:Socialism is an economic system, and those are usually put in place by governments.
Now, yes... but government is not part of the definition of socialism any more than capitalism is. In any case, it is quite obvious Jesus wasn't talking about governments in any of this; he was talking about individuals, and he wanted everyone of economic means to give freely. For example, when a rich man wanted to be a disciple, Jesus told him that first the man would have to give up
all of his riches. But because the very idea of socialism in its more modern sense is so repugnant to people, these teachings are not only forgotten but grossly underplayed. Giving to the needy was the subject Jesus talked about more than any other, but this is totally forgotten by those in the best position today to do this - perhaps because no one wants to give away *everything* they have. Nor do
I claim they should, so don't get me wrong. I am merely pointing out what *
Jesus* said. His idea of giving to others was far broader (and more thorough) than anything any modern socialist would dare advocate, so if what he taught wasn't a voluntary form of Socialism, then what
would you call it?
In any case, I never once said that Jesus supported Socialist
governments. I never once said *I* supported them either. If you think otherwise, it is only because, like with most people do when they read the Bible, what they think is being said is filtered a great deal by their own preconceptions and beliefs and are not accurately assessing what is
really being said. Ironically, Jesus himself said this was exactly the case with what the people around him believed the Biblical prophets said. People hadn't learned the true meaning of their own scriptures then, and most religious people are still making the same exact Jesus preached against now! Were he around today, he'd be just as scornful of today's religious and political leaders as he was of those of his own time. Perhaps even more so, since today's leaders often claim to be 'Christian' and supposedly follow his teachings.
Btw, understand something. I personally am
not advocating either Socialism nor Christianity. I am simply pointing out how contrary it seems for supposed Christians to condemn socialism (a
voluntary form of which Jesus
strongly espoused) and praise capitalism (an economic system notoriously rampant with greed, which Jesus condemned vehemently). IOW modern Christians want to have their cake and eat it too. I doubt Jesus would be any more pleased with most modern Christians than he was with the Pharisees.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...