It confuses me sometimes when people claim to be Christian and then speak so strongly against Socialism. Although it is certainly possible to be a socialist and not be Christian, it isn't possible to be a Christian and not be a socialist.
What is socialism? Socialism is about living communally, sharing, taking care of each other. Like social insects living in their huge extended families. Like ideal human families in which each gives to the other. Of course the ideal is not always the reality for human families, but in our Christian family - with God as the head - it is what we should strive for. Exactly as we teach our children they should be, but then, as we get older, we forget this in our persuit of material treasure in this world. True socialism is love. Love for each other, caring for each other. Doing all we can to recognise the good in virtually every one.
Jesus was the ultimate socialist. He taught that we should love each other. No conditions, no judgements. We are told to love, even those that harm us. Many see socialism as a threat, in that it takes from them and gives to someone else that they might not consider deserving. Aside from the fact that we should not judge anyone and don't know the reasons they may be down on their luck, it isn't our place to decide. If we are Christian then we do as our Lord tells us. Many people try to make Jesus what they want him to be but what he said, and the way he lived, is there in the bible perfectly easy for us to see. They try to make Jesus someone who supports their way of living rather than trying to be Christ-like themselves. Now, I don't claim to be perfect, like our Lord, but I do recognise that it isn't possible to be rich and capitalistic and reconcile that with Jesus or his message. "I tell you that it is far easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God".
It is a sad fact that, if Jesus turned up on the steps of our churches, many would turn him away as a beggar or 'bum'. Undeserving of our consideration and help. He gave up all possessions and wandered the land telling the people to give all they had to help those less well off. He didn't say, judge people and give to those only who are good to you, whom you think are deserving. He was the antithesis of the modern capitalist most of us have become.
The bible clearly tells us that capitalism is wrong but, yes, capitalism has wrought many wonders in the world. However Jesus said not to build up treasures in this world. He also said that we shouldn't worry about food and other material things, that God would provide. If he were around today, most would consider Jesus a hippie: anti establishment, anti-wealth, anti-materialism. It isn't easy at all to follow Christ, many would consider his teachings as unfair, but if we say that we believe and that we follow then we must do what we can.
Our societies are moving away from Jesus at an ever faster pace. In Britain, the Conservative party are - as ever - rolling back the elements of social welfare that took generations to build. There is much that is great about America but there the journey away from true Christianity is even more advanced. How can a society even consider itself to be Christian when so many have virtually nothing while others have what, to most of Earths population, are riches beyond compare? When they can't feed their families, keep a roof over their heads or get even the basics of healthcare? Who do we think Jesus would most associate with? Those who crave for the latest gadget or gawdy bauble or those that most of society disregard?
Why do some people hate and fear the term:socialism? Why is "socialist" used as an insult? An angry (justifiably) American, on a Facebook page dedicated to boycotting the BP oil company, told British visitors to the page to "clear off back to your socialist country". The American president, Mr Obama, is termed a socialist as an insult for trying to make American society fairer. I find it difficult to believe that people protest his actions and vilify a man who has worked hard to extend the basic necessity of healthcare to the poor and disadvantaged. Whether you are Christian or not, is it right that you should have so much when another has nothing, often through no fault of their own? One reason for fearing socialism is greed. If I give to someone who has not, then I don't have as much for myself. How can a person sleep at night knowing that a child not far from them might be hungry, or might be in pain but unable to afford medical care? To the Christian, this is the total opposite of love. Love is about doing all you can to alleviate the suffering of one you love. And according to Jesus, and therefore our God, that is everyone. Every single human being is a member of our family. We are to love them all.
I suppose the other reason to hate the word socialism is the fear of the supposedly socialist states that largely disappeared in the 20th century. But who can argue with Marx's maxim: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need"? Of course there has never been a real socialist society. Those soviet states that claimed socialism were corrupted and destroyed by greed and fear. Greed is responsible for most of the ills in the world today.
A truly socialist society would be one in which every person had all they needed to survive. One in which everyone loved everyone else and took care of them. Those who do not think that Jesus was a socialist, that we should not care for each other, no matter what the circumstances, should read Matthew 25: 31-46:
"31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41 Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Love one another, not just in church or in your charitable donations but in everyday life, your job and your politics.
