Christianity and Communism

[Mike Bogue]

One of the thoughts that I have been considering on my considerable ride home from work recently is the relationship between Christianity and communism. To be clear I am talking about the idealized communism that Marx envisoned and not the militaristic versions that have been seen in reality (USSR, China, Cambodia...) and the reason that I choose Christianity is that I do not feel that I know enough about other faiths to speak for them.
The basic tenant of Christianity is to
-Feed the hungry
-Clothe the naked
-Care for the poor
In other words we need to take care of each other, because we are all God's creatures and that means that none of us is more important than any other. This would seem to coincide very well with the ideals of Marxism where is was stated
"To each according to his need, from each according to his ability"

I have heard this paticular line referenced several times on conservative talk radio in reference to liberals and government run social programs. I do not have a problem with that reference as these social programs do tend to follow a "Marxist" ideal, but isn't it also true that they are following a Christian ideal. The talk radio host talks about how he is very Christian, but at the same time decries social programs as communist and therefore very bad which seems unchristian in my opinion.

[madeofrecycledawesome]

Not to be mean, you have a good thread, but I'm getting tired of all these threads regarding religions and stuff. It's getting annoying.

[Mike Bogue]

I agree and my point is really more of a political/social one, but those do not get as many replies/views

[Kenny]

No one is forcing you to click on them. And if someone is forcing you to click on them, just point them out to me and I'll tell them to stop.

[Johnna Joy Moonshoes Murch]

I can very much so understand where you're coming from.

[sabelmouse]

absolutly. i don't get that either. capitalism as is is very unchristian , exploiting and destroying the eart is uncristian. hypocritical comes to mind.

[Lianne]

But on the other hand religion is forbidden in communism ^^

I think that in the end all ideologies try to do the same: make the world a better place, getting people in a better situation. Taking care of the poor is one of the things to do that. In the pure original form, most theories are great, the association with the practical side of it changes that though. Many christians nowadays therefor associate communism with suppression, while at the same time communists associate christianity (or religion) with suppression.

I see the link you are making but I also see differences between the two. Communism states that being equal also mean that you have the same things, that you share everything, that everything is equal. Christianity asks more that you help people that can't make it on their own and still leaves room for differences.

interesting thought though :)

[danman]

Liane - that is untrue and is western propaganda. I come from eastern europe (Czechoslovakia) The thing is that although religion was indeed regarded as false, as long as you were not a schoolteacher or a member of the Party, nobody cared that much about your religion It were the reactionary elements in the church that were the problem - mainly Vatican - Stalin himself had forged alliance with Russian Orthodox church and os viewed as honorable by many priests.

As of what communist ideology consists of you have a very cliched view

[Mike Bogue]

Keep in mind that I am looking at the theory of communism, not the actual communist countries which means that there is no firm stance on religion as I understand it. This eliminates all of the discussion about purges and civil rights... and just makes the argument about ideals.

I would also point out that Christianity also states that everyone is equal and the concept of all of us helping each other is shared through Christianity and Communism. Both ideas allow for differences and, from my perspective, the differences seem small and subtle.

[Kenny]

You almost seem surprised by the fact that Christians don't follow the bible. They haven't for the past 2000 years, they aren't gonna start now.

[Mike Bogue]

I am just talking from a philosophical standpoint and not looking to turn this into a finger pointing excercize. Christians and communists have both done horible things in defence of what they believe, but that same argument can be applied to every belief and to some extent it applies to every one of us as well. Let's keep the discussion to something more theoritical so the question does not get confused with the devicive side of the question.

[Laura Caples]

Well not everyone who claims to be a christian is one. The Bible says that you can tell a christian by their actions and by the way they love people. A lot of people look down on christians because false christians have given the real ones a bad name. God has given us standards to live by and we do our best to follow them. Not that we're perfect but we try to do what's right.

[Gene Rock]

that was just said perfectly.