Churches and Religions are Socialists.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-03-10, 11:30 PM

Churches and religions are socialists. Why? Because they redistribute the wealth. They take money from the rich to give to the poor. Just as often, if not more so, they take money from the poor to give to the rich. Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Jim Baker, Schindler and the Pope, as well as many inner city pastors are examples of socialism. It seems very few religious leaders actually live lives of poverty. More often than not they live very comfortably, if not extravagantly.

**Gannon** · May-04-10, 01:37 AM

I guess there is SOME redeeming value to religion, then.

Shame it had to be corrupted so much over time, though.

At some point, all organisms and organizations seem to do things to perpetuate their existence that are directly contradictory to their original intent or reason d'etre [[reason for being, for those who don't speak French).

Cheers, we need to party soon. I'll drag Sharon and a few folks up your way as soon as possible!

**oladub** · May-04-10, 10:20 AM

Absolutely. In early Christianity, communism was practiced. The following is copied from the Wikipedia article Christian communism .

Christian communists trace the origins of their practice to the New Testament book Acts of the Apostles at chapter 2 and verses 44 and 45:

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. [[King James Version)

The theme is reiterated in Acts 4:32-37:

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, [[which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. [[King James Version)

**johnsmith** · May-04-10, 12:03 PM

Not sure what point you're trying to make here. One major factor to point out with churches and charities "redistributing the wealth" is that they are 100% voluntary. One chooses to be a part of it at whatever level they are comfortable with and can bail out, physically and monetarily, at any time one wishes.

**Danny** · May-04-10, 01:28 PM

YES! The Church just the way Jesus Christ planned is make communion between, people to people man and God. It is a holy sacramental structure built upon social cleansing from the imprities of SIN. There's NOTHING wrong of the church being either socialist or proto-communist becuase indivual self freedom is the Satan's work and it has destructive results.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-04-10, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

YES! The Church just the way Jesus Christ planned is make communion between, people to people man and God. It is a holy sacramental structure built upon social cleansing from the imprities of SIN. There's NOTHING wrong of the church being either socialist or proto-communist becuase indivual self freedom is the Satan's work and it has destructive results.

Other than the highlighted sentence, I'd say all comments posted here are pretty good and informative. Not that I agree with all of them.

**terryh** · May-04-10, 04:04 PM

First and foremost, congregants are being decent human beings when they help the less fortunate in society..aiding the homeless, addicted and destitute can be viewed as a public safety measure....desperate situations often influence rash anti-social decision making.and behaviours...we know that the practice of religion was discouraged and outlawed in communist societies..but that animosity and contempt was there for a reason: the oppressive behaviour of Christian landowners and employers....

**Jimaz** · May-04-10, 04:19 PM

One chooses to be a part of it at whatever level they are comfortable with and can bail out, physically and monetarily, at any time one wishes.

Eh. I'm not sure that's always true. I've heard stories.

On the other hand, once they won't let you leave they usually get reclassified as cults. So there's some semantics at play there. Whatever.

**Sstashmoo** · May-04-10, 04:26 PM

Quote: "we know that the practice of religion was discouraged and outlawed in communist societies..but that animosity and contempt was there for a reason: the oppressive behaviour of Christian landowners and employers...."

Ahh yes, because communism is such a sweetheart. Yeah it's those dang Christians messing up Communism again..

**oladub** · May-04-10, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

YES! The Church just the way Jesus Christ planned is make communion between, people to people man and God. It is a holy sacramental structure built upon social cleansing from the imprities of SIN. There's NOTHING wrong of the church being either socialist or proto-communist becuase indivual self freedom is the Satan's work and it has destructive results.

Danny, are you proposing a theocracy? Sometimes individual self freedom, which you loath, does have destructive results but sometimes the Nuremburg defence doesn't work either. Sometimes capitalists got a better review even by Jesus.

24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, â€˜Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.â€™ 26 But his master answered, â€˜Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didnâ€™t sow and gather where I didnâ€™t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teethâ€™â€ [[Matthew 25:13-30).

**terryh** · May-04-10, 04:44 PM

Religion-faith-sprituality can be [[is) very self centered....MY faith-MY religion-IM going to talk to MY rebbe-MY pastor-MY priest-MY imam-My guru, all of whom have their own selfish needs,wants and agendas....

Faith is not wanting to know what is true. [[Frederick Nietsche)

Retroit · May-04-10, 07:07 PM

Heaven is an absolute monarchy.

**Zacha341** · May-04-10, 10:21 PM

Yep. The new high priest and goddesses don't wear robes; the secular church of the government is absent of a cross and is far more confiscatory in it's quest to redistribute your wealth with the salve, soothing mantra that the rich must pay as booty reward to the teeming masses, then you find out the rich includes you!

Originally Posted by johnsmith

Not sure what point you're trying to make here. One major factor to point out with churches and charities "redistributing the wealth" is that they are 100% voluntary. One chooses to be a part of it at whatever level they are comfortable with and can bail out, physically and monetarily, at any time one wishes.

**Zacha341** · May-04-10, 10:24 PM

Hah, in a way Nietsche was right, he just did not realize it was and is "faith" in men too by which many resist truth.

Originally Posted by terryh

Religion-faith-sprituality can be [[is) very self centered....MY faith-MY religion-IM going to talk to MY rebbe-MY pastor-MY priest-MY imam-My guru, all of whom have their own selfish needs,wants and agendas....

Faith is not wanting to know what is true. [[Frederick Nietsche)

Stosh · May-04-10, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by johnsmith

Not sure what point you're trying to make here. One major factor to point out with churches and charities "redistributing the wealth" is that they are 100% voluntary. One chooses to be a part of it at whatever level they are comfortable with and can bail out, physically and monetarily, at any time one wishes.

Pure BS. Church and giving is not voluntary if you actually wish to remain a member in some congregations, and to get the benefits of "the church community"

Note the word community. Based off of Commune. As in Communism.

**tetsua** · May-04-10, 10:59 PM

/sarcasm< Jesus would totally tell the poor to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, get a better education, and work hard ... like the rich. He would be in support of our plutonomy.>/sarcasm

Stosh · May-04-10, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by tetsua

/sarcasm< Jesus would totally tell the poor to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, get a better education, and work hard ... like the rich. He would be in support of our plutonomy.>/sarcasm

Damn straight

Oh wait, you can't say damn.. oh damn, I said it again, damn...

**ghettopalmetto** · May-05-10, 05:22 AM

Also, Jesus would find the capital gains and estate taxes totally unfair, and would call for their abolition.

**maxx** · May-05-10, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Danny

YES! The Church just the way Jesus Christ planned is make communion between, people to people man and God. It is a holy sacramental structure built upon social cleansing from the imprities of SIN.

Just your belief. Belief, fact. Learn the difference.

There's NOTHING wrong [of] the church being either socialist or proto-communist becuase indivual self freedom is the Satan's work and it has destructive results.

Try rereading your writing before posting.
Your last sentence is anti-American since the U.S. was founded on individual freedom.

**Sstashmoo** · May-05-10, 10:08 AM

Quote: "Faith is not wanting to know what is true. [[Frederick Nietsche)

"

Atheism is not knowing the difference. [[Sstashmoo)

**Zacha341** · May-05-10, 10:11 AM

There you go being naughty again [[smile)...

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Quote: "Faith is not wanting to know what is true. [[Frederick Nietsche)

"

Atheism is not knowing the difference. [[Sstashmoo)

**rb336** · May-05-10, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

Quote: "Faith is not wanting to know what is true. [[Frederick Nietsche)

"

Atheism is not knowing the difference. [[Sstashmoo)

that makes no sense.

"faith is believing what you know ain't so"
-Mark Twain

**rb336** · May-05-10, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by maxx

Your last sentence is anti-American since the U.S. was founded on individual freedom.

unless you were African or an indentured servant

**1KielsonDrive** · May-05-10, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by terryh

First and foremost, congregants are being decent human beings when they help the less fortunate in society..aiding the homeless, addicted and destitute can be viewed as a public safety measure....desperate situations often influence rash anti-social decision making.and behaviours...we know that the practice of religion was discouraged and outlawed in communist societies..but that animosity and contempt was there for a reason: the oppressive behaviour of Christian landowners and employers....

Excellent comment. Thank you.

**1KielsonDrive** · May-05-10, 12:49 PM

[quote=Sstashmoo;143160]Quote: "we know that the practice of religion was discouraged and outlawed in communist societies..but that animosity and contempt was there for a reason: the oppressive behaviour of Christian landowners and employers...."

Ahh yes, because communism is such a sweetheart. Yeah it's those dang Christians messing up Communism again..[/quote]
I'm not sure if there is a whole lot of difference in the practices of christians [[religious or political?) and communists [[political or religious?) over the ages. They've both enslaved, brainwashed, redistributed wealth, fought wars over ideology and beliefs, etc, etc. Not to say the political/religious systems haven't done some good. I believe there are as many similarities as differences. Christians don't like communism far more than they don't like fascism because communists are 'godless atheists'. Fascists generally believe in god, they just insist you believe in their god, whatever god they may worship while committing genocide.