Socialism, Give or Take

Let’s confuse some algorithms!

Socialism is evil.

Socialism is good.

I have heard recently from people fighting in favor of one or the other of these statements. Most recently, Steven Crowder went to a university for his “Change my Mind” segment. The statement that he was asking to be challenged was simple: Socialism is evil.

Usually, I hear this discussion in terms of Left vs. Right, but the political positioning of socialism in America is something that I will admit confuses me. For instance, the Socialist Party of America, which became (among other socialist organizations) Social Democrats, USA in the early 70’s is a left-leaning organization, while the National Socialist Party of America (also from the 70’s) is credited as being alt-right. But that doesn’t really matter to this discussion, so I’ll leave it alone for now. I will say that I am in no way affiliated with either of them.

However, recently, there has been a growing number of Americans who identify as Socialists. At least publicly.

I’ve been thinking about the truth of those statements.

Want to hear something radical? Read the following out loud:

Neither of those statements are inherently true.

Neither of them.

Notice I used the word “inherently” to describe the truth of these claims. This does not mean that replacing the word “evil” with “good” makes them any truer. Either way, they need a small phrase, “not necessarily,” to be added, so they become:

Socialism is not necessarily evil.

Socialism is not necessarily good.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there are certain forms of socialism that absolutely are inherently evil. There are also forms that are good.

But what is Socialism, anyway, and how can I talk about it in Biblical terms?

Socialism, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.”

So, the community as a whole gets to decide how the wealth in the community is distributed throughout that community. How very communal. We have seen this fail with devastating consequences every time it has been tried on a national scale.

It’s based on the idea that those with more can spare the extra to help those with less. Which is true when put simply in these terms, but the idea that they are obligated to do so is, to put it gently, flawed.

Biblically, this is the system that was used by the early Christians when they came together and shared all things in common.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Acts 2:44-45

After all, Jesus even said that we are to give what we have to the poor. And he used some fairly strong language about it, too.

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:21

Jesus here was addressing the greed he knew was in the heart of the rich young man who had asked Him what specifically he needed to do to reach Heaven. But that does not make it any less important that Jesus used this to show one thing we need in order to be perfect.

It’s important to note that in both cases, they were selling their possessions in order to perform this distribution. This means that they were actually operating in a capitalist nation, where they were allowed to do with their possessions as they pleased. The socialism was in a community setting, willingly administered by the community itself, not enforced by law. And really, that is the only way that socialism can be good. Or even feasible.

We know that it was on the basis of those willing to participate, because Peter calls out Ananias and Sapphira for trying to appear willing when they were not.

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

Acts 5:3-4

If there is even one participant who participates unwillingly (as opposed to a member of the community that does not participate), then suddenly the entire community is guilty of theft. It is a system that can only work if it is based on charity. When that charitable heart is lost, it turns from a system that elevates its members to one that destroys them.

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Ephesians 4:28

The entire premise of socialistic government enforcing such charity by law instantly corrupts the entire process, removing even the possibility of charity under that government. Charity becomes an obligation, making it not so charitable after all.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

So, no I am not a socialist. That does not mean that I am against charity, and really, if we grow our community, and the relationships we have in our community, the charity ought to follow naturally.

But what do I know?

I’m just Thinking Blessed.