Was Jesus a Socialist?

[Fight!]

As I said in the other thread, the core tenet of Jesus was to never take the possessions of others as your own. That would be unequivocal robbery. He enjoined people to help others through voluntary choice alone.

By the same token God would've loathed any sort of tax, and thus any anti-anarchistic society.

Besides, this is more of an argument against violent revolution, which is indeed the most likely way which Communism would come into power, than against Communism itself.

[Slaytaninc]

As I said in the other thread, the core tenet of Jesus was to never take the possessions of others as your own. That would be unequivocal robbery. He enjoined people to help others through voluntary choice alone.

We might not agree on the Roman Empire, but we do agree on this.

[Armenum]

Prove it.

I was just kidding. Given I'm a socialist it's kind of nice hearing that Jesus was a socialist as well. but in all seriousness, I really can't say what he was, but one thing he definitely preached was a non materialistic and communal society where people helped each other in brotherly spirit. Quite idealistic to fit in any political category. So some socialist elements in his teachings were there. But again you have to consider the perspective from which he was preaching and his actual emphasis in what he taught people. And this emphasis really remained upon morality, love, etc. So if any socialistic element exist they are heavily indirect.

[Slaytaninc]

I was just kidding. Given I'm a socialist it's kind of nice hearing that Jesus was a socialist as well. but in all seriousness, I really can't say what he was, but one thing he definitely preached was a non materialistic and communal society where people helped each other in brotherly spirit. Quite idealistic to fit in any political category. So some socialist elements in his teachings were there. But again you have to consider the perspective from which he was preaching and his actual emphasis in what he taught people. And this emphasis really remained upon morality, love, etc. So if any socialistic element exist they are heavily indirect.

The way I look at it is this:

Socialism is an economic system.

Religion is not.

Jesus speaks VERY little about economics, and ALOT about Religion.

[Jaketh]

Prove it.

anyone who watches the science channel knows

[Slaytaninc]

Prove there's a Science Channel

[Enemy of the State]

There is a difference between being good towards your fellow man and a large state apparatus using coercion to redistribute wealth.

[justinius]

Obviously he wasn't a socialist but I'm sure that what he preached besides liberty goes pretty much against the fundamentals of capitalism so yeah.

[SigniferOne]

By the same token God would've loathed any sort of tax

Why is that? Taxes aren't robbery, taxes are necessary for the minimum function of society. Jesus said to give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, not to overthrow Caesar and to destroy all societies.

Besides, this is more of an argument against violent revolution, which is indeed the most likely way which Communism would come into power, than against Communism itself.

No it's against Communism itself because Communism involves violence at the very core of its ideology, first and foremost because it's a "dictatorship of the proletariat" .

Secondly, it's about taking 100% from everyone and distributing the final sum as the dictatorial proletariat (inevitably led by a small clique of actual rulers) sees fit.

[Arch-hereticK]

Jesus favoured the poor, encouraged equality and good will to your fellow man. That's basically the opposite of capitalism, but it's not exactly as naive as socialism either.

[SigniferOne]

Jesus favoured the poor, encouraged equality and good will to your fellow man. That's basically the opposite of capitalism, but it's not exactly as naive as socialism either.

Capitalism is about letting everyone be free and making everyone equal under the law. How is that not good will towards your fellow man, when capitalist societies have been far more prosperous and more moral than communist ones? And who helped the poor more, Lenin or American inventions? If Lenin was helping the poor so much why did they kick his system out after 70 years?

[Entropy Judge]

I've completely forgotten whatever I said previously (and I'm sure I did), but I'm growing increasingly convinced that Jesus was in fact (in the words of the immortal Oddball), "some kind of sandwich."

[justinius]

Capitalism is about letting everyone be free and making everyone equal under the law. How is that not good will towards your fellow man, when capitalist societies have been far more prosperous and more moral than communist ones? And who helped the poor more, Lenin or American inventions? If Lenin was helping the poor so much why did they kick his system out after 70 years?

Well obviously the Soviet Union perverted Lenin's ideals. The fact is that a true 100% communist state never existed and probably never will.

[Hakkapeliitta]

Strange how some christians want to legislate their morality when it's about gay marriage, but when it comes to helping the poor it "should be left up to the individual".

[Arch-hereticK]

Every naive-romantic wide-eyed dreamer is a socialist at heart. Realists are capitalist. I'm not sure which category the character of Jesus falls under.

[Knight of Heaven]

The way I look at it is this:

Socialism is an economic system.

Religion is not.

Jesus speaks VERY little about economics, and ALOT about Religion.

Actualy socialism is pretty vague on the economic talks, at least directly. And since All economic political choices , derives from Political idealism. And Political idealism is based in a group of Philosophies, there is much in comon with religion. At least at the very basis.
I agree some of the Jesus philosophies, are also the basis of the ideal socialism.

[jankren]

If Jesus were alive today would he be a Republican or a Democrat?

[Marie Louise von Preussen]

If Jesus were alive today would he be a Republican or a Democrat?

If he was alive today, he would probably think the Jerusalem he condemned to fire and brimstone was but a saintly paradise.

[War&Politics]

Jesus was not only a socialist but a bearded Middle-Eastern religious fanatic who was convicted of terrorism and worst of all not even an American citizen!



Anyway, Jesus was clearly a socialist, he even told the rich young man to give all his possessions to the poor! How do Biblical literalists explain that?

I think the point I'm trying to make is that Jesus bears very little resemblance to his followers. Ironically if Jesus returned today (not that I believe that, but lets pretend) his own followers would probably rush to crucify him again.

[justinius]

lol!