Capitalism is more Christian than Socialism

Originally posted by RJHinds
A parable uses a story to convey a deeper message. However, this does not mean the story is false. It is not necessary to ignore the literal meaning of the parable story to get the deeper meaning. Clearly the parable uses a capitalistic example on Earth. Just as reward and punishment was given to the servants in the capitalistic system in the parable, so ...[text shortened]... nd only represent the body and blood of Christ. Of course, Roman Catholics may argue this point.

Why would Jesus repeatedly tell his followers not to seek material wealth for themselves and then contradict himself with the parable of the talents? Clearly capitalism is about seeking material wealth for oneself.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne

No economic system is perfect, and capitalism as well as socialism can both be exploited and misused. That said, I believe capitalism is inherently better than socialism. I would even say that capitalism is more Christian than socialism.

I did not say that capitalism is Christian. The Bible contains no culturally transcendent economic model. Fo ...[text shortened]...

http://www.religiontoday.com/news/capitalisms-biblical-principles-11602703.html

What a weird distortion of the Bible. Instead, I think it clear that Jesus would definitely lean socialist and not be the ruthless ends-justify-the-means capitalist. For sure Jesus would be Democrat and not Republican.

Originally posted by moon1969
What a weird distortion of the Bible. Instead, I think it clear that Jesus would definitely lean socialist and not be the ruthless ends-justify-the-means capitalist. For sure Jesus would be Democrat and not Republican.

For sure Jesus would be Democrat and not Republican.
Actually, seems unlikely He'd be either.

Originally posted by moon1969
What a weird distortion of the Bible. Instead, I think it clear that Jesus would definitely lean socialist and not be the ruthless ends-justify-the-means capitalist. For sure Jesus would be Democrat and not Republican.

I'm not so sure about the party identification. I don't think Jesus would be a fan of representative democracy. I think Jesus would preach direct democracy. Democrats would disgust him only marginally less than Republicans.

Originally posted by rwingett
I'm not so sure about the party identification. I don't think Jesus would be a fan of representative democracy. I think Jesus would preach direct democracy. Democrats would disgust him only marginally less than Republicans.

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is not for Democrats or Republicans. He is not for a communist or socialist society. He is for a Kingdom that he rules over with a rod of iron. 😏

HalleluYah !!! Praise the Lord! Holy! Holy! Holy!

Originally posted by RJHinds
Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is not for Democrats or Republicans. He is not for a communist or socialist society. He is for a Kingdom that he rules over with a rod of iron. 😏

HalleluYah !!! Praise the Lord! Holy! Holy! Holy!

You don't have to call it "socialist" if you don't want to, but that's essentially what it is. The people, in their autonomous, self-managed communities, will hold all things in common. The global monetocracy, based on a money/debt system, will be replaced by a 'gift economy' in the kingdom. Politics and economics, as we know them in the West, will come to an end.

Originally posted by rwingett...Democrats would disgust him only marginally less than Republicans. ...[/b]

Not sure whether to laugh or cry.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne

No economic system is perfect, and capitalism as well as socialism can both be exploited and misused. That said, I believe capitalism is inherently better than socialism. I would even say that capitalism is more Christian than socialism.

I did not say that capitalism is Christian. The Bible contains no culturally transcendent economic model. Fo ...[text shortened]...

http://www.religiontoday.com/news/capitalisms-biblical-principles-11602703.html

Bingo!

Originally posted by rwingett
You don't have to call it "socialist" if you don't want to, but that's essentially what it is. The people, in their autonomous, self-managed communities, will hold all things in common. The global monetocracy, based on a money/debt system, will be replaced by a 'gift economy' in the kingdom. Politics and economics, as we know them in the West, will come to an end.

I don't believe that is the way it is going to work. 😏

Originally posted by RJHinds
I don't believe that is the way it is going to work. 😏

Well, in that case, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. You will always find yourself stuck in an iniquitous world because that is the type of world you help to propagate.

Originally posted by Grampy Bobby
Bingo!

Bingo?

While I wouldn't argue that capitalism isn't more Christian than socialism - after all what is "Christian" other than what Christians, by and large, believe and how they behave?

That said, reconciling capitalism with the teachings of Jesus is an entirely different matter. But then Christianity, by and large, does not place the teachings of Jesus at its core.

You know, the article I quoted in the OP is something RJH provided a link to in another thread. While I almost never bother to read his links, I thought it might be an interesting topic of discussion even though I found it torturous to read such a poorly thought out line of "reason".

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
Why would Jesus repeatedly tell his followers not to seek material wealth for themselves and then contradict himself with the parable of the talents? Clearly capitalism is about seeking material wealth for oneself.

the parable of talents is not about capitalism even if the talents would mean material wealth like rj said. because if anything screams capitalism is working your ass off to multiply someone else's wealth according to him.

the talents represent the message of god, how you are supposed to spread it, to convince people to follow it, so they too can live a good life.

Originally posted by Zahlanzi
the parable of talents is not about capitalism even if the talents would mean material wealth like rj said. because if anything screams capitalism is working your ass off to multiply someone else's wealth according to him.

the talents represent the message of god, how you are supposed to spread it, to convince people to follow it, so they too can live a good life.

the parable of talents is not about capitalism even if the talents would mean material wealth like rj said. because if anything screams capitalism is working your ass off to multiply someone else's wealth according to him.

Not sure what you're trying to say here given what I've posted on this thread. Can you elaborate?

the talents represent the message of god, how you are supposed to spread it, to convince people to follow it, so they too can live a good life.

Considering the teachings of Jesus while He walked the Earth in toto, it would seem rather that Jesus was speaking of following His teachings, i.e., the will of God, rather than just spreading "the message".

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
[b]For sure Jesus would be Democrat and not Republican.
Actually, seems unlikely He'd be either.[/b]

Yeah but in the hypothetical, if choosing a label, the Democrat label is much more fitting to Jesus than the Republican label.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
Bingo?

While I wouldn't argue that capitalism isn't more Christian than socialism - after all what is "Christian" other than what Christians, by and large, believe and how they behave?

That said, reconciling capitalism with the teachings of Jesus is an entirely different matter. But then Christianity, by and large, does not place the teachings of Je ...[text shortened]... ssion even though I found it torturous to read such a poorly thought out line of "reason".

Jesus also uses a capitalistic model in his parable of the hired workers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Workers_in_the_Vineyard