Do Marxism And Christianity Have Anything In Common?
Recently I was privileged to speak before a ladies book club. Midway through, a former English professor announced with an assurance only an academic could accomplish that “Jesus was a communist. That is just a fact.”
A similar notion was recently advanced by a Forbes contributor, Richard Salsman. Salsman holds a negative view of Christian values, considers sacrifice a “vice,” and even begrudges honoring our war dead. But what similarities do Marxism and Christianity share?
Frederick Engels, Karl Marx’s sidekick and benefactor, eulogized that Marx’s greatest insight was, “men must first of all eat, drink, have shelter and clothing before they can pursue politics, science, art, religion and the like.”
Jesus asserted the opposite disavowing that faith is predicated on bodily well-being, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:31-33).
Continue reading at blogs.forbes.com
It might be said that one encourages sharing the wealth by choice (Christainity) and the other by force (marxism, et al).
OR, Let thy heart be thy guide, not the fraud obama!
-David in MAGod Bless you President Obama!
-daveHow do you mean that, LOL
-Terry"But what similarities do Marxism and Christianity share?"
NONE. And those who see them have no clue about Marxism nor about Biblical Christianity.
-DespevilleYou are correct, Christianity is the exact OPPOSITE of Marxism…One is done willingly(C) and the other is FORCED on you…because that's the only way it will work!!!
-patriciaUm, yeah, not to mention the fact that Jesus would never advocate forcing people to "give" to the poor at the point of a gun. People who say things like this about Jesus are similar to those who claim a "right" to healthcare and other nonsense; they obviously haven't actually read either the bible or the Constitution. Neither document grants anyone the "right" to anyone else's products or labor (duh).
Why does this even have to be explained? Even those who advocate this type of Marxist redistribution are horrified at the thought that someone would take their stuff and give it to someone else because they worked hard for their stuff and apparently are the only ones who did!
-JimMarxism and Christianity have nothing in common. Marxism eventually persecutes Christianity, since loyalty to the state is the central theme. Marxist communists throughout history have used Christians and anyone else in a given culture to advance a popular revolution, but once in power, Christians become useless to the cause. After all, Marxism is still an atheist system.
-John J FlanaganMarx and Jesus have nothing in common:
Marx everything is mandatory.
Jesus everything is Voluntary.
-David TeeterYOU WOULD HAVE TO BE A COMPLETE IDIOT TO EVEN COMPARE JESUS TO COMMUNISTS OR MARXISM, ETC! DO STALIN, LENEN, HITLER, MAO, COMPARE TO JESUS? THAT IS COMPLETLY STUPID ON HOW THIS SOUNDS!
-John DoeAnd what about if you don't work, you should not eat and more about that in 2 Thessalonians 3: 8, 12.
-ElizabethAlthough I've read little if any of Marx (but have read the entire Bible), one thought of Marx's with which I strongly agree is "To each according to his needs, from each according to his abilities." In other words, "To him much is given, of him shall much be required," and the MANY commands Jesus made about caring for the poor and needy. Far too many people seem to see those who CAN'T work as those who DON'T–or those who do work and still can't make ends meet as somehow underving.
Then let's not forget Dives and the rich young man who went away heavy-hearted because he had many possessions. (I've always hoped he was heavy-hearted because he realized what a major task it was going to be to unload them all.) Seen any big-eyed needles lately?
Finally, John, Despeville, David, absolutely NOTHING in common? They WERE both Jewish!
-ProfEmThe article was quite clear the differences rather than the commonalities, and a very article I must add.
-KalevI feel obliged to state the obvious in reply to this quote from the full article at Forbes.com: "Economics is not a Zero Sum Game. One’s gain does not necessitate another’s loss. Innovation, efficient profitable production and savings expand the pie. Consumption, malinvestment and waste shrink it."
Earth is like an island in the ocean of space, no? Just like natives or any indigenous species living on an island on one of Earth's oceans can exhaust its resources — requiring migration off the island or perishing — humanity can "use up" the finite resources on Earth. We are all vying for finite resources, so in fact it IS a "zero sum game"! For the economy is simply the divying up of finite resources.
Until we find a way to migrate to other habitable planets in the ocean of space, we are bound to playing a "zero sum game." Reread the blog article with this reality in mind, and see if it changes any precepts set forth therein.
-EvanMost likely Yeshua will return before we use up these"finite resources".
What evidence is there for "other habitable planets in the ocean of space"?
No credible or "provable" ones that I know of.
-Kalev2 Peter 3:7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Nehemiah 9:6 You, even you, are the LORD alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and you preserve them all; and the host of heaven worships you.
I Cor 10:26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.
There is no way that man will be able to destory this earth. God created it; He has the power to destory it when He is ready at the end of time.
-MaryEvan:
Your logic doesn't take Genesis 8:22 into consideration: "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." The earth is not filled with "finite resources," but with renewable resources, blessed with God's promise that it will always be so. If I have an agreement with my neighbor to trade him some of my tomatoes for some of his chickens, he is able to focus more directly on his chickens and I more directly on my garden, so that, in the end, we both enrich each other by doing a better job together than we could ever do independently. This is what the author of the article is saying; contrary to the usual liberal nonsense about there always being a "winner" and a "loser" in every economic transaction.
-EricMore oil in Montana and N. Dakota then the entire middle east, enough to last 300 years and more, that is just one deposit, Alaska is another and oil in Colorado and Wyoming, get over it greens, the oil is under the peoples land, not the governments, so drill baby drill. We don't have 300 years left, God said he would judge a nation for three things, the acceptence of homosexuals life style as natural, killing of babies, 54 million abortions and counting, destruction of the family and we have a 70% divorce rate, judgement is coming to this land and it won't be 300 years away, you can take that to the bank.
-Ben F.Christianity and Marxism are polar opposites. One is from God, the other Satan.
Socialism in ANY form is immoral and EVIL!!!
-swathdiverMany base thier belief that the Bible advocates Communism on on Acts 4:32ff, but do not continue to read into chapter 5 which tells about
anninias and Saphira. I believe that these are put in for a reason, to point out that while it is good to share with those in need, we need to take our sinful nature into account.
The sharing in commom, first was voluntery, also it will only work with with real strong Christians because many will try to take advantage of others. Remember the professors that were after Speaker Bonier when we was to speak at a Catholic U graduation. Well< I challenge them and any others like them to find one place in the Bible that commands governments to tax the people and use that money for charitable purposes., but of course they will find many, many placers where indivuduals are encouraged to be charitible. Charity is to be an individual act between a person and God, not a collective salvation thing.
-Aceituna[Frederick Engels, Karl Marx’s sidekick and benefactor, eulogized that Marx’s greatest insight was, “men must first of all eat, drink, have shelter and clothing before they can pursue politics, science, art, religion and the like.”]
So the first step, and the one we are in now, is to make people struggle for these essentials, to make them hungry and homeless— as communism always does. So give them houses they can't afford to keep, cause inflation, and make food and fuel unaffordable.
All while pretending you are for the people, the poor— and the little guy.
-Indian CowboyYep, that's what both the major parties have been doing for the last 50 years, it appears the Democrats are better at it however.
-KalevDeceit is of the devil. Marx and Engels chose and decided to serve him. Engels for one, knew better. He was once a Christian, like Nietzche, and even Hitler. "Beware of false prophets." "Be ye not deceived."
-Indian CowboyAnything has something common with anything else. Yeah, right. Does a human being have something common with a monkey, doesn't he?
It all depends on what is meant by 'something' and on why this something is supposed to be common. It's all ideological rhetorical jargon, like most statements from the mouth of ideologists. For what purpose they utter like this? It's for their power. Even Rick Warren of the Purpose-driven cult is for the purpose of his own (ego) power. ;-<
“The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.” – Karl Marx. But the goal of humanity is not 'happiness' and what Jesus promised is not 'happiness'. Marx's statement is a typical materialism-oriented, which also infects millions of minions of the prosperity gospel, positive-thinker gospel, and purpose-driven gospel.
Engels eulogized that Marx’s greatest insight was, “men must first of all eat, drink, have shelter and clothing before they can pursue politics, science, art, religion and the like.” Whoa? Do we need Marx to see such a plain truth. Any monkey, which is worshiped by Marxists, can say that. It is not this statement that is the crux. The crux is a next statement, which Marx didn't answer correctly at all. It's 'what then?' Does a religion give an answer to that? No. What then? Does a politics answer that? No. It's people's working and thinking. Politics only deals with how to carve out or to take away power from the mass of people.
"Religion is the opium of the people." – That he said right. People with pain needs pain killer – opium has found no rival yet. The only problem with opium is (1) it's addictive; (2) it does not solve the cause of pain. Religion as such in the history is another power game by human beings. Jesus has been abducted by the organized church with priestly caste. We have to make clear differentiation of 'Christianity with religion' from 'Christianity without religion'.
"Destroy capitalism" – Well, the fact is, there has never been a true capitalism in existence of human history. (cf. Ayn Rand 1966 – "Capitalism, The Unknown Ideal".) It has been there all in a crippled form with manipulation and control over supply-demand free market economy as under the grip of the Evil (playing human's greed, speculation, and fear in its hand).
-OunbblWhat bothered me about the article was this: "This counters the Marxist principle of progressive taxation taking from the most productive to subsidize those wasting scarce resources." This implies that poor people are wasting resources. It almost sounds like "survival of the fittest." I agree that many government social programs are wasteful, ineffective and even unnecessary, but some are essential to the well-being of a nation. Steps must be taken to ensure that the necessary programs are maintained and properly managed for the good of society as a whole.
-arjunMarxism could not exist, as a system of thouht, were it not for the Darwinian World View.
Much info on the subject. Much.
Roger
Disabled Vet
-Roger A. Walker"Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! ALLAH hath chosen thee and purified thee, chosen thee Above the Women of all nations". (Qur'an, 3:42). Mother of Christ Jesus was the Best Woman among all nations in the sight of your Lord.
-ZackBless Allah, and his Pink Underpanties!
Muslim-ism is a recent invention.
Move on.
Roger
Disabled Vet.
-Roger A. WalkerChristianity and Marxism have little similarities, namely their concern for the poor and equality. However, they differ in their perspective on the higher Being. As you know Christianity believes in God but Marxism doesn't believe any God. For more information about this issue you are invite to our social network. God bless you all.
-Sergz ArevaloThis is proof that liberals know nothing of the Bible–and that's just a fact!
-StephenSome hold that the Founders of this Nation, The United States, violated God's Word, when they rebelled against a King, that God put in place.
Some argue a just war, (of the Doctrine Of Interposition) or war of resistance or defense, put succinctly, Rebellion Against Tyrants, Is Obedience To God.
Some hold a "Hands Off" approach to war, politics and the entire political process.
Some hold God and Country as a sacred duty.
One will have to study the entire or "Whole Council of God," on the matter.
Many in the OT. and NT. spoke against leaders, both religious and secular, and many were in leadership positions, both religious and secular.
Read the Hall of Faith, as some call it, in Hebrews, NT. And tell me what the occupations were, that God listed as faithful examples.
For me, God never separated Church and State, the way the Pagans do–so, I side with the Founders, and opt for a Just Defensive War–and opt for involvement in Politics at any level–what does Proverbs say about the godly in charge?
Roger
Disabled Vet
-Roger A. WalkerThe simple answer is: NO there are not alike in anything.ONe is a socialists communist and the other is the Son of God. Pure and simple.
-AngelaSorry people but Jesus was a capitalist. Go read the parable of the talents. The one who invested theirs got the praise. The others did NOT. Therefore Jesus was a capitalist.
-msamericanpatriotThere certainly seems to be some confusion here. Communism and Christianity have nothing in common. I believe some become confused between socialism and communism which are different things. Many comunist nations call themselves socialists when they are in fact dictatorships that promote atheism. True Christian principles, especially in the early churches would be considered socialistic by todays standards. Many early Christians combined their wealth to help and promote each other as they felt they had a responsibility to one another despite status. In fact Jesus told the rich young man to give all he had to the poor and follow Him as Jesus knew the young man's wealth was where his heart was. Many of us really need to examine ourselves, because all the accusations against Obama are based on nothing more than many that have the attitude "I worked for what I have and those without can work for their own just like I did". Unfortunately, many are so selfish they fail to consider or care about our responsibility to the less fortunate in society. To those whom more is given, more is expected. An example I will give is one of a presidential hopeful that has a son that is a doctor. His son was on tv recently saying that if you believe in universal health care you believe in slavery, as he would then be forced to treat someone. It seems to me that if you truly loved the Lord you would want to use your God given gifts to help the unfortunate as well as the fortunate. All of us need to remember that if we can roll out of bed in the morning and walk without aid, we are blessed, should be thankful for that gift from God, and live by giving what we can, rather than hoarding all we can.
Jesus Christ is our example and all actions should be measured by His example.
-Vrina