Socialism: a pure evil and godless force that will destroy Capitalism?
OR
The Glue that Holds Capitalism Together?
Modern socialism is very different from historical socialism.
Modern socialism is not a matter of either / or.
Modern socialism is a matter of both / and. Democracy and Socialism.
Democratic Socialism does not equal communism; never has, never will.
Socialism is not a religion and so beliefs like “evil” and “godless” are nothing more than political propaganda.
The free market has no conscience and therefore cannot be trusted to solve issues that are in the public good.
Government regulation becomes the conscience that is lacking in the free market (socialism) because a democratic government answers directly to the people.
Social programs are relied upon to carry out what is needed for the public good.
For a century, America has had many well established social programs that work (socialism).
Socialism in moderation is the only way to a true democratic government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
It is impossible for capitalism and the free market to meet all of the needs of any society, unless
it decides it doesn’t need roads, fire departments, police departments, hospitals, healthcare, 5 day work week, child labor standard, overtime, public education, courts, postal service, churches, food pantries, Meals on Wheels, school lunches, and so much more.
We call ourselves capitalists because we first try to solve our problems through the innovation and entrepreneurship of our for-profit corporations and the free market system and when all else fails, we develop the social safety net systems that are able to solve the issues that the free market cannot solve. That is why America has such a well developed political and economic system; the best of capitalism and socialism. AND NOBODY is trying to end any of this. Don’t listen to misinformation. Capitalism will always continue as long as it is meeting the needs of society through the free market. Spewing fear that socialism will take over capitalism is just pure propaganda that makes no sense in the real world but becomes political capital and power, even though it is not true. People are solving problems for society in the best way possible and all the while making a profit with continuous improvement. Can’t beat that as long as it can make a profit. But we all know that this is not always possible for the things that involve the public good.
Socialism is not the enemy of capitalism in the way that it is used in America.
Socialism is an ally of capitalism, filling the gaps of social need that is required for a human and humane society, just like it has for 100 years.
The U.S. is a mixed economy, exhibiting characteristics of both capitalism and socialism.
Such a mixed economy embraces economic freedom when it comes to capital use, but it also allows for government intervention for the public good.
The U.S. government controls part of the economy with restriction and licensing requirements, which includes involvement in such areas as education, courts, roads, hospital care, and postal delivery.
The government’s role in a mixed economy can also include financial policies, such as monetary and fiscal policies.
Is the United States a Market Economy or a Mixed Economy?. A Guide to Economics.
I've been hearing a lot of misinformation about socialism. Not only has the word been perverted by politics, it has also been weaponized to attack fellow Americans and important causes. What's crazy about it is that these same people are preaching capitalism. But little do they know that social programs (socialism) are the glue that holds capitalism together.
Capitalism is required by law to make a profit for its shareholders. But what about the issues that are for the public good; making sure all people's needs are being cared for. When there can be no profit in meeting these needs, there is no option for a caring society except to meet those needs through social programs, unless, of course, this is being met by the true work of the church first. And we all know the answer to how American Christianity does that. So my answer is always, we are a democracy that is both
capitalism first for all the things that can be met by the free market and make a profit,
socialism for all of the rest of our needs for the public good like roads, hospitals, schools, healthcare for the elderly and the disabled, feeding the hungry through school lunch programs and Meals on Wheels and food pantry type programs and on and on.
He who does not work, neither shall he eat
Recently I had a Christian tell me that socialism is not Christian because of the one verse in the bible that is misquoted without regard to the context in that society, in that church, in that book of the bible, and of the bible as a whole. I was taught since I was a child how important it is to NOT take things out of context, especially in the bible.
In wikipedia's article on "he who does not work shall not eat" (a common “Christian” criticism of socialism) quotes this bible verse as being used by capitalists, socialists, and communists:
“He who does not work, neither shall he eat is a New Testament aphorism traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, later cited by John Smith in the early 1600s colony of Jamestown, Virginia, and by Communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin during the early 1900s Russian Revolution.” See the quote in this article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_who_does_not_work,_neither_shall_he_eat
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Also see, Ephesians 4:28 Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need.
If any would not work, neither should he eat.
Thessalonians was a church that Paul praised in his first letter to the Thessalonians. They were an example to other churches and other believers of what a Christian really is. They were an early church that was doing the work of the church and was clear about the difference between “church work” and “the work of the church” (one of my first blog posts from 15 years ago).
While the first letter to the Thessalonians praised them, the second letter to the Thessalonians was more of a warning. When Paul said “if any would not work, neither should he eat” he is not talking about setting up a government, neither for the country nor for the church. Paul is speaking to a very specific issue within the church that is disrupting the work of the church, “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”
So here we have a near perfect example of a church that has developed a sort of cancer among its believers that are not helping the church do their work but they are hindering them from doing it. Paul says do not associate with them and do not even allow them to eat with you. If they are not going to help you with the work you are doing, then have them go eat their own food because this is a meal of celebration for what the church is doing everyday. Remember that one of the things that stands out about the early church is that they regularly ate together, a wonderful way to bring people together and build relationships. It is also the best way to get things done. The early church was very busy with many things to accomplish. Paul is admonishing them to root out the disorderly and busybodies so they can continue the work with no one getting in the way. In Ephesians, the same issue getting in the way of the work of the church came up that could not be tolerated. So we see that the use of the rule that those that do not work, neither should they eat is a practical guideline to keep harmony and productivity among the believers. Not only that but the very purpose of them to be a part of the church and join in the work is so that they can have something to share with those in need. So rather than a rule to prevent capitalism in the early church, it was a rule to prevent people from being needy and promote socialism, not as politics but rather as practice, fellowshiping and sharing everything in common.
And again, Ephesians 4:28 Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need.
We can get a sense of the activity of the early church in Acts:
Context Matters
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The Believers Share Their Possessions
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
This sounds like a socialism and intentional community that I’ve always been interested in. Does that make me evil and godless?
Please see “Feed the Hungry” to see how it is a demonstration of both one’s faith and one’s love; as well as being commanded by God and by Jesus.
For more details, see this video
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