This point has been raised a few times, so I dug up some biblical gospel passages for putting forward the hypothesis that Jesus' views were in fact socialist in a proto-Marxist way. I encourage discussion on this point and for opinions on how you think Jesus' views were or were not socialist in their orientation.

Clearly an advocation of collective ownership, as opposed to private ownership, and equal distribution of wealth for 'need'.

I see a further advocation of collectivism, this time with a specific note on land redistribution etc.

You'll notice a constant theme of Jesus is that rich people (capitalists) are not going to get into Heaven etc.

Finally, Jesus gave an account of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46, in which he identifies himself with the hungry, the poor and the sick, and states that good or evil done upon "the least of [God's] brethren" will be counted as good or evil done upon God himself. The fact that nations rather than individuals would be judged according to the characteristics of their societies, would thus directly imply that political and economic systems were being heavily critiqued as well:

In addition, communist references can be found in Leviticus 25:35-38:

"If one [...] becomes poor [...] help him [...] so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God [...] You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God." and Acts 4:32-35, "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had [...] there were no needy persons among them [...] the money [...] was distributed to anyone as he had need." As well as Acts 2:42-47, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching [...] to the breaking of bread [...] everyone was filled with awe [...] all the believers were together and had everything in common [...] they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they [...] ate together with glad and sincere hearts [...] "

It's funny when someone who doesn't know the first thing about the Bible starts a thread about Jesus.


It's even funnier when they don't know the first thing about communism and try to draw a correlation between the two.

It's kind of hard for Jesus to back a movement that did not exist at the time... especially when the movement that movement was created as a movement against has not yet occurred.
I suppose if you think in terms more of very broad pre-Marxian "Utopian" socialism and only in terms of a small voluntary commune... you could say that.
But really the Catholics came up with those kind of ideas because of Jesus, not the other way around.
The Marxist socialism was in many ways a reaction against "Utopian" socialism as much as against capitalism.

I suppose it's possible to claim Jesus would be disturbed by a money-worshipping, consumeristic culture... and I think he'd even be dumbfounded by Calvinism (what the hell was Calvin on?)...
But I doubt socialism in the sense that the term is usualy used would be his "cure".

Not that I think Jesus' support would really change anything. The "do unto others" thing was a good idea... but it's a cultural universal. Things aren't good ideas intrinsically just because the guy who people think is God says so.

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

How about you try and disprove my assertion using biblical evidence, as I did, rather than just meaninglessly trolling?

Don't get me wrong, I knew the religious Right was based on outright biblical falsifications and lies anyway, your just confirming my point.

Its funnier when a person who advocates murdering innocent people because of their skin color or political affiliations, thinks they know ANYTHING about Jesus.

Who would Jesus Lynch?

Ixtellor

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George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

BillyBob would lynch Jesus for not being 'Christian' enough (meaning he didn't support Bob's overt racism, warmongering and violence, as well as his blatant support of economic exploitation and excess).

As I have argued before, the 'Christian' Right are an overtly anti-Christian fascist organization using religion as a veil. NONE of their positions have any support in the Gospel.

As usual you guys miss the point of what Jesus represents, it has nothing to do with socialism, communism, or capitalism. His hole point is that worldly possesions are not important in the grand scheme of things. If someone needs help, help them. His focus was on salvation - your soul is more important than anything you can posses in this world

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Conan! What is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women

Did they look like psychos? Is that what they looked like? They were vampires. Psychos do not explode when sunlight hits them, I don't give a **** how crazy they are!

VERY TRUE!

Another point is that Jesus was a propnent of personal charity and personal care for the poor and sick! Ceeding that to a government is ctually contrary to what Jesus stood for! How does that reflect where your heart is and a love for your fellow man?

Not so clearly! Your quote shows that a group with common interests shared their wealth. This is vastly different than an entire nation. This look much more like advocating charity within your community than building some sort of socialist government.

Rich people, as the bible describes them, are people who love money more than God or people.


Clearly teachings concerning personal charity and not collective governmental charity!


Again this shows that God showed an ideal society as one who shared with glad and sincere hearts. That is not a government that forces wealth distribution on its citizens.

These passages also advocate a religious based socity in which biblical teachings are essentially law. Are you comfortable with that?

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"It's the rich people's fault they earn more." - Makedde