Author Topic: Communism vs. Christianity (Read 115188 times)

Jaime · « **Reply #285 on:** January 18, 2010, 12:10:04 PM »

They were killed for lying to the spirit of God, not to men.

It was an extreme lesson for the rest of the believers. A lesson in not lying to the spirit, not a lesson in giving all one had to the church.

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #285 on:** January 18, 2010, 12:10:04 PM »

tennman · « **Reply #286 on:** January 18, 2010, 04:42:44 PM »

So Log, what would you call Communist Cuba?

Second, is it wrong of me to think that if I work for 70 hours this week that I have the right to earn more than the person who does the same job for 30 hours?

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #286 on:** January 18, 2010, 04:42:44 PM »

johnnyQ · « **Reply #287 on:** January 19, 2010, 12:45:46 PM »

I thought the topic was Communism vs. Christianity, I didn't know it was FORCED Communism vs. Christianity. I don't want FORCED anything. Do you? I say NO to FORCED COMMUNISM as much as I would say NO to FORCED CHRISTIANITY or FORCED CAPITALISM.

Sort of like those discussions about the verse that talks about women not USURPING authority. Well, as much as I never use the word USURP in my daily rhetoric, and I bet no one else does either,...I did take time to look up the definition, which is "to take by force". Well I don't want a MAN nor a WOMAN taking authority over me by force. I can't think of a time that the word "FORCE" can be used to describe a Biblically accurate behavior exhibited by Jesus, the Christ. How much force can servants exhibit. And Jesus said if you want to lead you must be a servant and then He tied on the towel and show His disciples exactly how to do it.

jq

Mere Nick · « **Reply #288 on:** January 19, 2010, 08:50:49 PM »

Quote from: johnnyQ on January 19, 2010, 12:45:46 PM

I thought the topic was Communism vs. Christianity, I didn't know it was FORCED Communism vs. Christianity. I don't want FORCED anything. Do you? I say NO to FORCED COMMUNISM as much as I would say NO to FORCED CHRISTIANITY or FORCED CAPITALISM.

Sort of like those discussions about the verse that talks about women not USURPING authority. Well, as much as I never use the word USURP in my daily rhetoric, and I bet no one else does either,...I did take time to look up the definition, which is "to take by force". Well I don't want a MAN nor a WOMAN taking authority over me by force. I can't think of a time that the word "FORCE" can be used to describe a Biblically accurate behavior exhibited by Jesus, the Christ. How much force can servants exhibit. And Jesus said if you want to lead you must be a servant and then He tied on the towel and show His disciples exactly how to do it.

jq

Capitalism isn't something that is forced. It is what happens when the government respects fundamental human rights.

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #288 on:** January 19, 2010, 08:50:49 PM »

johnnyQ · « **Reply #289 on:** January 20, 2010, 04:33:01 PM »

You are right, Nick, it's complete freedom and it's every man for himself, no one can hold me down but ME. Now, since we are comparing communism and Christianity,...if we compared that definition of capitalism to the teaching of Jesus, the Christ.......I don't think it will end up being so Biblically supported,....especially when Jesus said it won't bode well for us if we do not "take care of the least of these",.....because when we do it unto them, we do it unto HIM.

I am all for capitalism,....but its not God's way as some portray it to be. Give to Cesar what is Cesar's and to God what is God's.

jq

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #289 on:** January 20, 2010, 04:33:01 PM »

Mere Nick · « **Reply #290 on:** January 22, 2010, 11:34:25 AM »

So, you're saying that respect for fundamental human rights is antithetical to the teachings of Christ?

johnnyQ · « **Reply #291 on:** January 22, 2010, 11:38:35 AM »

What I am saying is what capitalism is and what Christianity is isn't always in sync.

Mere Nick · « **Reply #292 on:** January 22, 2010, 12:25:41 PM »

What teachings of Christianity are you suggesting teach that individual liberty should be opposed?

johnnyQ · « **Reply #293 on:** January 22, 2010, 12:30:46 PM »

Didn't say that, Nick.

Christianity is about taking care of the least of these,....Capitalism is not. That's just one large glowing difference. Can Christianity work inside a capitalist society sure,...it can work under any government.

jq

Jaime · « **Reply #294 on:** January 22, 2010, 01:44:11 PM »

Does taking care of the "least of these" mean only a governmental effort? I contend Christians flourish under capitalism and THEN take care of the Least of these individually. Communism or collectivism reduces incentive thus the least of these will have less. Johnny your assertion assumes that capitalistic Christians would by definition be greeedy. I don't buy that. Americans (yes Christian Americans) are the most generous folks on earth, all the while being capitalists.

Mere Nick · « **Reply #295 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:32:23 PM »

Quote from: johnnyQ on January 22, 2010, 12:30:46 PM

Didn't say that, Nick.

Christianity is about taking care of the least of these,....Capitalism is not. That's just one large glowing difference. Can Christianity work inside a capitalist society sure,...it can work under any government.

jq

I beg to differ. Capitalism is a competition to see who can serve people the most efficiently. Why is there a Wal-Mart and not a Montgomery Ward? Simple. The people of Wal-Mart did a better job of serving their felllow man.

johnnyQ · « **Reply #296 on:** January 22, 2010, 02:56:35 PM »

Sorry, Capitalism's all about money,....Christianity is not. Christianity is about LOVE of others, Capitalism is about love of self. Christianity is about faith, captialism is about profit. Truely helping your neighbor is not profitable. Putting the best interest of others above your own doesn't put dollars on the bottom line. At least not the kind of care Jesus showed. It got Him killed. Paul says if we are living as Jesus we will be persecuted and we should rejoice in that.

jq

Jaime · « **Reply #297 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:09:56 PM »

Johnny, it is very much possible to be profitable and put the best interest of our fellow man forward. Successful comanies everywhere in this country do exactly that. Are there exceptions, of course. But Nick is right. Build a better mouse trap (something for the good of mankind) and the world will beat a path (commerce for profit) to your door. Individuals and corporations that make profit in turn give generously as has been the case with the Haitian earthquake. If there was not adequate profit, no one would be able to give and help those in need. We would all be in the same "needy boat".

johnnyQ · « **Reply #298 on:** January 22, 2010, 03:52:45 PM »

I profit well and daily. You misunderstand. I am not speaking out against profits(or prophets, for that matter). I am just saying that Capitalism is NOT synonymous with Christianity. That's all. There are many times the two vary incredibly. Many make a huge mistake and try to run the church like a business in the typical American business model. Wrong!! You can't read the NT or look at the life of Jesus and see a business or capitalism. Capitalism is good, but it is not, by a long shot, endorsed anywhere as the God ordained way. God never ordained a government. As I stated earlier there is a passage in the NT that speaks about a first century church, maybe in Corinth, that pooled their resources and gave to any as they had need. NO it wasn't forced, but if you will look, "forced" is not in the title at the top of this thread. We are not like God, and cannot speak for Him where He has not spoken in sanctioning one government as "Christian" and another as "non Christian". His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways. Even in a nation that doesn't recognize God,...Christianity thrived.

jq

Jaime · « **Reply #299 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:28:24 PM »

Forced communism IS what we are against. Sure if folks want to pool their resources and live communally, that is NOT communism, that is communalism. Communism is forced collectivism, nothing like the biblical example as you have pointed out, however the thread's topic is communism, not communalism.

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Author Topic: Communism vs. Christianity (Read 115188 times)

Christian Forums and Message Board

Christian Forums and Message Board

Christian Forums and Message Board

Christian Forums and Message Board