Posted by
JayPeriod on Monday, February 25, 2008 10:38:04 AM
Compassion is a word that is thrown around by both Democrats and Republicans. While both sides approach the subject from complete different directions, both are determined that their brand of compassion is the Christian attitude. So, I thought I would address what both forms of compassion entail, in respect to Christianity (since this
really is a Christian nation).
First of all, socialism cannot be compatible with Christianity. It is, in fact, at odds with Christian teaching. Socialism is determined to provide equality and welfare by government intervention. This is what both Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama want. The idea is that the government must take care of every aspect of life, from fair wages to health care to care for the poor. Christianity, as Jesus taught, teaches that it is up to the people, as individuals, to care for one another. This is why they are incompatible; socialism preaches government responsibility by compulsion and Christianity preaches individual responsibility from love.
Capitalism, on the other hand, relies on Christian compassion. Without that, it has the potential to be detrimental to society. If capitalism is to be compassionate, people must respect one another and be driven by love for one another. It becomes mandatory that those with means care for those who do not. They must exercise restraint, resist greed and help those who cannot help themselves.
As we look at the early days of Christianity, communal living was evident. Scriptures teach that all lived in harmony and had all things in common, where those who had used their excess to care for those in need, as they had need. That does not mean that all were equal, or that those who had means split those means equally with those who did not have means, but rather they provided for the necessities of those who could not do so for themselves. It by no means meant that they simply gave to the poor without requirement that they attempt to care for themselves, but that they were expected to attempt to work and provide what they could.
In this respect, socialism is the antithesis of Christianity. It expects that all will take what they have and distribute it to those who have less, regardless of their need or attempt to care for themselves. It, then, produces class warfare, envy and laziness. It is often done by compulsion rather than freewill. Therefore, it goes against the very teachings of Christ.
Yet, capitalism that has lost its Christian soul, is ruled by greed and selfishness. That will have no compassion, either. When, though, a capitalist realizes his duty to be a blessing through his Christian principals, he will have compassion and will fulfill the teachings of Christ.
The problem with our American society, though, is that we have lost our Christian soul. This is not to say that those without a Christian underpinning are unable to act with compassion, but those that follow the teachings of Christ, dutifully, are more predisposed to show consistent compassion. On the other side, socialists hold that the greatest form of good in the world is government, therefore violate the very foundation of Christian teaching.
Truly, unless this country return to its Christian foundation, neither socialism nor capitalism will provide the true compassion required to return this country to greatness. Clearly, though, capitalism provides the only path to that. The socialism of the left can only lead us down a destructive path, to be sure.
***This is reposted at Ideally Conservative, a new blog by JayPeriod.***