Socialism gets a lot of play lately. During this season of the year, when we rush to make sure everyone has a nice Christmas, those feelings of magnanimity toward our fellows suggest that there is good in everyone, that we do want to share. That fades, sadly, but for one month of the year, we live and love as we ought. Is that an outcropping of socialism? Not at all.
This article highlights the differences between Marxism and Christianity, a topic that interests many. The author includes this quotation: “Frederick Engels saw this clearly, ‘If some few passages of the Bible may be favorable to communism, the general spirit of its doctrines is, nevertheless, totally opposed to it.’” In a word, No, Jesus was not a communist. The author does have an odd view of Adam, however, suggesting that he had everything “but wanted more.” That’s a topic for another day. Suffice it to say I disagree.
This YouTube gives us in 4 minutes the differences between socialism and communism. He concludes that corruption ensures that neither system will be implemented as conceived. Clear and simple. As a group, people can be (insert negative adjective.)
We already have the proper text for goodness and giving, of course. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol shows us the differences between greed and generosity, between empty wealth and heartfelt charity. I urge you to read it for the transformation in Scrooge. It’s short, but if you just can’t manage, watch a good version. My personal favorite features George C. Scott as Scrooge. This list offers 20, including lots of animated ones and the Muppets. Jean-Luc Picard—oh, I mean Patrick Stewart—has a version, but the good captain can’t quite pull it off convincingly. So, yes, I’ve seen lots of those 20, if you must know.
Odd, isn’t it, how poor Scrooge’s name means quite the opposite of what it should. We can change, we can do the right thing, we can live Christmas all the year. But that is something of the point to discuss socialism at Christmas. Scrooge renounces greed, not capitalism. He earns a good living and learns to share it. Nobody makes him do that. Nobody could, really.
On a final note, consider this article concerning Medicare for All. It seems very clear-headed to me and not partisan. I may be wrong—still no word on my acceptance/rejection by the organization that identifies slant. He uses the word “fisc,” which I didn’t know. It means “the emperor’s treasury.” We don’t have one of those. Anyway, Medicare leans to socialized medicine. The author explains why it won’t work for everyone. And that is a fact that depends not on the heart but the mind.
At Christmas, everyone gets to feel the spirit of the times. Even those who aren’t Christian. And that’s fine. Lecturing Christians about being Christian aka socialists is quite another matter. I’d say back off. Being a genuine Christian is hard enough. Learn about that first.