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April 05, 2005
Newsflash: Socialism Doesn't Work
John Mark Reynolds explains why Christianity and socialism won't jive.
Posted by Matt at April 5, 2005 09:50 PM
Comments
Sigh...
Socialism is an ECONOMIC system.
Capitalism is another ECONOMIC system.
Representative democracy is a POLITICAL system.
Repressive totalitarian governments are another POLITICAL system.
Christianity is a FAITH.
Islam is another FAITH.
So, too, are Judaism, athiesm and many more.
I tire of arguments that can't make these distinctions. If Christianity has a problem with Socialism, it is because Karl Marx said that religion was the opiate of the masses.
When Christian apologists try to argue that one economic system is better or worse than another, they are affirming that what Marx said about religion is true.
The responsible Christian seeks to follow Christ in whatever system he lives, moves and has his being. Is it not clear from the New Testament that slavery was not seen as inherently morally wrong? That fortune-telling was part of the landscape? That savage and autocratic rulers were seen as part of God's plan?
If socialism and Christianity are incompatible, then whence cometh our Canadian and British cousins? Where do we place India? And how has the growth of market economics advanced the cause of Christianity in China?
Please...
Posted by: John Ballard at April 6, 2005 08:47 AM
Low on substance, high on rhetoric, I'm afraid. Reynolds outdid you.
Posted by: Matt at April 6, 2005 01:05 PM
Touche.
Posted by: John Ballard at April 6, 2005 01:54 PM
Touche.
Posted by: John Ballard at April 6, 2005 02:01 PM