The Bible: capitalist or socialist?

[Fuathas]

I thought Karl Marx introduced the term Capitalism to the world. Did he not?

[DistantCelt]

Perhaps he did coin the term but capitalism in its concept was largely alive for thousands of years.

[ANDY-J3]

Originally posted by Eleana
Sorry I admit right away that I have not read through all of your discussion.


Last time I looked was the Bible two books, one dealing with before Christ, one with after Christ.

Written 300 after Christ.

Capitalism and Socialism are referring to economical and social concepts 1900 years later.

so what was the question?

I think the question is whether the moral precepts and doctrines on which Christianity is founded are compatible with socialist or capitalist ideals.

[PRgirl]

Andy I think the short answer which you alluded to earlier would be that there are strong socialist elements to the Bible, but in terms of being an instrument of the status quo it would be capitalist.

I think any religious institution with the title of institution is pro status quo. No matter who runs the 'institution'. Organized religion is very much a vehicle of social control. Spirituality and humane concepts and God have little to do with institutions. Institutions combined with fundamentalist mentality religions and rigid doctrines all resist change. And change and progress is what human consciousness and spiritual attainment should be about. Getting better, and being better human beings, not staying the same. Unfortunately the 'institution', the 'establishment' and the 'church' often fail to provide that spirit of change and betterment. They are good at perpetuating the old ways and I have nothing against old ways. I love ancient culture and studied that deeply for years. What I don't like is the tendency for religious institutions to fear change and to use fear of change to impede what needs to change. And in that they are counterproductive and why many people shun the church and why so many rarely attend church services any longer. Why? Because many who profess the most 'faith' cope with true change in an artificial way (looking for some external validation or purification or expunging of their 'flaws' or 'sins', they only need to look within themselves for true change to happen, and the only true person in charge of changing anything is the individual themselves not any other external entity). It is all how you interpret your philosophy of life and what is truth to you. Otherwise if people keep looking for external ways of allowing the world at large or so on to make the changes, they will be waiting forever. It is all token gestures and lack of real committment to an open and accepting spiritual life. One in which judgement is not necessary, but love and acceptance and support are.

Anybody who asks too many questions and makes them think about the institutionalized forms of religious doctrine and cause 'waves' get weeded out. And they are precisely the ones who most resemble the "Christ" consciousness. Of change and no compromising principles just to follow the conventions and the tradition without thought or without change. Interesting.

[nogginthenog]

The propagandists who wrote the bible where definately in favour of capitalism. No question. They put these words into the mouth of their fictional Jesus character:

9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade with these till I come.' 14 But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18 And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 19 And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' 20 Then another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 He said to him, 'I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?' 24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 25 (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!') 26 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'" 28

[Ged]

Jesus and god, if they exist, are definately capitalist. HE gives out lots of contradicting commandments, )a lot of which he breaks himself), and condemns such things as homosexuality, alternate religions, cough *harry potter*....