Are there 2 kinds of Leftist philosophy?

[Prodigal_Son1]

Christianity is apolitical and requires charity, compassion, and humility of all believers. If it lacks those qualities, one should question the source. We are a part of a monarchy and Christ is the King. He never preached political views were a way to eternal life.

 

[Pugsly]

Christianity is apolitical and requires charity, compassion, and humility of all believers. If it lacks those qualities, one should question the source. We are a part of a monarchy and Christ is the King. He never preached political views were a way to eternal life.

All truth is God’s truth (Augustine I believe said that)

Americans were predominantly Christian…and knew the truth and the truth set us (and many other peoples) free.

Americans have become infected with Leftism (a worldly philosophy) that has crept into ALL areas of life. Now, we are a nation that is too stupid to be free.

But, hey…no worries…the Western world can collapse…with all the human misery that Leftism historically brings…but I lean that one on Jesus my Lord.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

All truth is God’s truth (Augustine I believe said that)

Americans were predominantly Christian…and knew the truth and the truth set us (and many other peoples) free.

Americans have become infected with Leftism (a worldly philosophy) that has crept into ALL areas of life. Now, we are a nation that is too stupid to be free.

But, hey…no worries…the Western world can collapse…with all the human misery that Leftism historically brings…but I lean that one on Jesus my Lord.

What do you suggest? That everyone can be righteous? I believe the Pharisees said everyone could be righteous as they were, and we know what Christ said to them. Christ lifted those up that were in misery.

 

[wittgenstein]

ManOnFire,
Then why did the media call Florida for Bush when it was still in doubt? Why did they continue to carry the non-story of climategate? That was investigated and revealed that nothing wrong occured. “a neat trick” was similar to saying “I found a neat trick to solve this calculus problem in half the time”. ACORN, why was not the whole story told? That right after talking to the “pimp” ACORN officials contacted the FBI. Also the whole idea that those raised in urban enviroments would mistake the beave(leave it to beaver) for a pimp because he dressed like huggy bear (starksky and hutch) is absurd.
Of course you will say that the media has a liberal bias because it promotes sex and violence. That is absurd. Is Fox liberal (Family guy etc)?
Where did you hear that the media has a liberal bias? Hmm, the media! The idea that giant capitalist corporations are promoting socialism is absurd.

 

[Pugsly]

Leftism is “supposed” to produce a non-hierarchical structure–equality.
Christianity recognizes the levels of existence…starting with the most basic…the Fear of the Lord is the begining of Wisdom.

 

[wittgenstein]

Seriously, for those that embrace supply side economics watch the video at post 20 and tell me if Jesus would embrace it. I think “supply side Jesus” teaches the exact opposite of Christ’s message. In that sense “supply side Jesus” can be called the anti-Christ. Unfortunately, the anti-Christ has many followers!

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Leftism is “supposed” to produce a non-hierarchical structure–equality.
Christianity recognizes the levels of existence…starting with the most basic…the Fear of the Lord is the begining of Wisdom.

And it seems those on the right espouse ‘elitism’ setting themselves apart from, and above, others. Love one another as He loves us.

Read Acts 2, and explain what view the early Church took when they sold all they had and distributed to each, according to their needs?

Act 2:44 And all they that believed were together and had all things common.
Act 2:45 Their possessions and goods they sold and divided them to all, according as every one had need.

They only hierarchy in that structure was the Church. All others were equal.

 

[ManOnFire]

ManOnFire,
Then why did the media call Florida for Bush when it was still in doubt? Why did they continue to carry the non-story of climategate? That was investigated and revealed that nothing wrong occured. “a neat trick” was similar to saying “I found a neat trick to solve this calculus problem in half the time”. ACORN, why was not the whole story told? That right after talking to the “pimp” ACORN officials contacted the FBI. Also the whole idea that those raised in urban enviroments would mistake the beave(leave it to beaver) for a pimp because he dressed like huggy bear (starksky and hutch) is absurd.
Of course you will say that the media has a liberal bias because it promotes sex and violence. That is absurd. Is Fox liberal (Family guy etc)?
Where did you hear that the media has a liberal bias? Hmm, the media! The idea that giant capitalist corporations are promoting socialism is absurd.

Weak. The liberal m.o. is to spin the exact opposite of the truth. Unfortunately, there are enough people to believe it.

 

[wittgenstein]

I have given examples and evidence,ManOnFire. Why can’t you?

 

[ManOnFire]

One reason Christians morph into Leftists…is that they feel like God’s arms and legs here: they are the ones who must defend the Weak, visit the sick…etc. I fully agree with loving the “anawim” like Mother Theresa…one by one by one.

In the Old Testament God uses a Hebrew word “anawim” to express His concern for the weaker brothers and sisters. God says repeatedly throughout the scriptures to be sure to care for the “anawim”…which means…“the poor, the widow, the orphan and the stranger in your land”.
In the New Covenant…Jesus…repeats this overarching concern for the weak and downtrodden…e.g. in the Sermon on the Mount.

Leftism is a fear-based philosophy that mimics a Christian concern for the weak and downtrodden. One way to discern a Leftist solution from a Christian one…is that the Leftist solutions seek to control rather than to love. Leftism pivots off of fear. Christians should pivot off of the Loving Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the post. I believe it also speaks to the dual nature of man where we want to indulge in leftist sins, but when it comes time to pay for it, we vote for others to pay, in selfish fashion.

It’s interesting how social liberalism leads to a need for fiscal liberalism. If someone invented a foolproof lie detector, masses of people would turn hard to the right. Here’s how: Have the IRS (tax collectors) set up appointments every spring to connect taxpayers to the lie detector. Anyone who lies goes immediately to jail for 60 days. Then ask each person if he/she cheated on sales or income taxes in the previous tax year (which takes money away from social welfare programs to help the poor). You’ll see masses of people suddenly stop dealing in cash, and they will start becoming fiscal conservatives once all the previous tax cheaters who voted for more govt safety nets are forced to be financially honest. There’s a certain immaturity and fun in feeling like one is “helping” while one is dodging tax responsibility. Once the dishonesty ends, they will feel more involved, responsible for one’s brother, and truly connected to the community since they can no longer shed responsibility like rebellious teenagers who feel like they just pulled one over on authority. Once enough new honest people grew tired of paying their TRUE tax liability, more people would realize how social liberalism leads to a need for fiscal liberalism. Then, the majority would vote to either create Libertarianism, where poor choices create a negative feedback loop to end the continuation of poor choices via accountablility, or a more innocent socially conservative society where people are not so easily tempted into sin and dependency. The middle ground is no longer working because we are running out of other peoples’ money.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Too much generalization, plus imagination, for this to be sincerely an honest discussion.

 

[Charlemagne_II]

Prodigal Son
**
The Pope, and our Bishops, have called on nations to provide social assistance, in addition to what the private charities provide, because of the enormity of the problems. That’s a fact. I have to wonder why you added a spin to what was said? **

We are apparently talking about two different things. The State may enter into a supportive emergency relationship with people who are struggling to survive. The Bishops have no problem with that. I do think the Bishops have, or ought to have, a problem with the increasing social programs that are designed to keep people voting for the party that keep voting “stuff” for them, people who thrive on the public dole, have no intention of getting off it, and are willing to sell their souls to the devil so long as the stuff keeps coming at them.

All the countries of Europe, which are now deep into socialism, are struggling to keep afloat. Ironically, most of their government could care less whether they are doing their Christian duty. What they really care about is increasing their control over the minds, hearts, and bodies of the masses.

And they are going broke doing it.

 

[Pugsly]

What do you suggest? That everyone can be righteous? I believe the Pharisees said everyone could be righteous as they were, and we know what Christ said to them. Christ lifted those up that were in misery.

Prodigal…I am now summarizing a philosophical movement that has been hundreds of years in the making. It is not only political…it is throughout Western culture. Leftism has thoroughly soaked into Christianity in America.
My questions here are not “judgements” or “preaching” or “Pharisaism” or “anti-Catholic doctrine”. I am merely point out what Leftism is based on…and asking if Christians can be Leftist…is it an oxymoron.

 

[nitesnake]

I am merely point out what Leftism is based on…and asking if Christians can be Leftist…is it an oxymoron.

True. I think many left wing Catholic and Protestant Christians hide behind the banner of “social justice;” and use it to justify everything from illegal immigration, to arbitrary gun-control, to an unfair confiscatory tax system. Some will even vote for pro-abortion politicians with enthusiasm.

 

[Pugsly]

And it seems those on the right espouse ‘elitism’ setting themselves apart from, and above, others. Love one another as He loves us.

Read Acts 2, and explain what view the early Church took when they sold all they had and distributed to each, according to their needs?

They only hierarchy in that structure was the Church. All others were equal.

I have some replies to your position: A) 3 of the 10 commandments are about NOT wanting what other people have.
B) Where does scripture say Christians are to act out what is recorded in the book of Acts? So the small group of believers shared equally (for a short time until racism crept in)…that’s great! So St Paul swam for it and made it out of the sea alive…thank God! So Paul and Barnabas avoided a brawl…that’s great too!..where does it say that I’m to follow that as an ideal?
C) Leftist Christians have sweet hearts for the anawim and the environment and for health and safety…etc…but Leftism is a worldly philosophy that scripture CLEARLY warns against.

 

[Pugsly]

First off, Christianity is not a political philosophy. Secondly you seem to see things as if it were binary (right or left) and that you need to be a right winger to be Christian which is absolutely wrong. For instance the Freedom Marches were a leftist phenomenon, was that anti-Christian?

Perhaps, you have a narrow view of this matter, brother. I do not consider Leftism a political philosophy only…but a worldview that governs what to eat, what to drive, what to think, what to say…etc. Obviously, since the Leftist worldview is based on fear…it takes politics quite seriously.
For example…Leftism craves an Empathetic leader who can be trusted to powerfully lift up the Weak and NOT abuse that power to Manipulate things for his/her own gain… It has been hundreds of years now, Leftism has produced many powerful dictators and leaders…who always end up brutalizing the populace. “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” Obama 2007-8

 

[wittgenstein]

It is an oxymoron to be a capitalist Christian.

 

[wittgenstein]

Jesus preached to the poor and outsiders. The elite changed that into, the elite deserve what they got because God favors them. Modern Christianity was co-opted by the elite and now has very little resemblance to what Christ taught.
Many of those here, believe Christ’s message is identical to the false Christ’s message in post 20.

 

[Pugsly]

It is an oxymoron to be a capitalist Christian.

It certainly is wrong for a Christian to be a predatory capitalist. However, are not the days of uncontrolled predatory capitalism in the West are far behind?
The Social Gospel movement began in the early 1800’s as a Christian response to predatory capitalism…and brought us child labor laws, worker safety laws, worker hours laws, Labor Unions, minimum wage laws, Health and Safety codes, meal and rest breaks, overtime pay, anti-trust laws, banking regulations…etc…etc…etc.
For a Western Christian to fear big business today is laughable…yet Leftism fears WALMART.

BY the way, (just illustrate my point about Christianity turning Leftist) did you know the ACLU came from the pacifist arm of the Social Gospel movement?

 

[wittgenstein]

Great wealth (for an individual )is created by speculation (stock market,insider knowledge). Work is far less rewarded (taxes are less on the rich.Capital gains are taxed less then wealth created by work*). This results in gambling being rewarded more then work. I believe that the work ethic is more in line with Christianity then the gambling ethic.

• Work is both physical and mental. Those that come up with creative ideas are rewarded less then those that bet (invest) on those creative ideas.