Finding a base Blue text = a clickable link. To highlight pictures please click themHere in Aotearoa, New Zealand, we are moving towards our next general election. As we might expect, we are being bombarded and enticed with promises from all the political parties. These days, if ever I need to use a political label for myself, I use the term 'Christian Socialist'. Today I thought I'd offer a few thoughts about what that means for me. It's not just a label; it's also a base from which to judge election offerings. DefinitionThe Simple English Wikipedia offers this definition of Socialism ‘Socialism is a political ideology that aims to make people equal. It generally focuses on equality of wealth (eg. similar wages, housing, education, healthcare), although since the 1960s, it has often focused on equality of power. It is normally considered left-wing, because it seeks to change society. Socialist movements often side with people who they think are disadvantaged and work to change laws and policies to increase equality.’ Another definitionWikipedia offers this definition of Christian socialism. ‘Christian socialism is a religious and political philosophy that blends Christianity and socialism, endorsing left-wing politics and socialist economics on the basis of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. Many Christian socialists believe capitalism to be idolatrous and rooted in the sin of greed. Christian socialists identify the cause of social inequality to be the greed that they associate with capitalism.’ Making the blend - the Christian keyThe Wikipedia definition says Christian socialism 'blends Christianity and socialism, endorsing left-wing politics and socialist economics on the basis of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.' For me the teachings of Jesus are the key. Passages such as Mattew 6: 24 "you cannot serve God and mammon" then verses 19-21 in the same chapter, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth" but "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" speak strongly. These sorts of sayings move me to stand with the 'Many Christian socialists' who 'believe capitalism to be idolatrous and rooted in the sin of greed.' And it's not just the sayings. The Jesus of the new testament put himself with both people high (pharisees) and people low (lepers) in the culture of his day. Then, when asked about status he commanded his followers to "love one another." Alongside that comes caring for widows, children and the poor ''who you will always have with you." (Mark14:7) Making the blend - the socialist keySocialism is a political ideology that aims 'to make people equal,' so the simple English language Wikipedia defines. Yes, and that's what socialists advocate in so many avenues of life – income, housing health care and the rest. Mostly these days as a philosopy it's very secular because that's the prevailing flavour of our society. For myself though, I want to bind into 'make people equal ' a spiritual imperative. Hence the label Christian socialist. DiscoveringI first discovered Christian socialism through reading about its evolution in England in the 19th century. Charles Kingsley (the writer of Westward Ho to Trinidad etc) I knew through his trout fishing writing and that took me into his advocay of Christian Socialism as propounded most primarily by F.W.D. Maurice some of whose work I’ve read. Other famous names included: Thomas Hughes of Tom Brown's Schooldays; John Ruskin a writer and naturalist; John F Ludlow. But I'm no expert on them though I've read about them and what they did in the society of the day. ContinuingDiscovering was one thing. Continuing is another. Here in New Zealand I haven't yet found people using the Christian socialist label but in Britain Christians on the Left is a group for which I have some affinity. In America I'm attracted to the Institute for Christian Socialism. My 'few thoughts' are on going. I plan to come back to them some time in the future. If you want to comment please use the comments tab and say whatever you wish. □ Yours John McInnes Friday 18 August 2023 Apology: Sorry to be late today. Sometimes things happen which I don't anticipate. J ##########
0 Comments
|
Welcome
|