Catholic or Democratic Socialism?

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Now that the 2020 Presidential candidates are in the public square stumping for our votes and endorsements, I wanted to talk about this notion of “Democratic Socialism” or just Socialism in general that is being espoused. Should Catholics actually entertain and get behind these ideas?

To start I found this article I wanted to share that seems to be a fairly concise and legitimate explanation of the ideas - however the system won’t let me post the URL to it nor can I copy the complete text here - too many words

It is on this website, substitute dots for the “X” characters: eohsjnwusaXorg/indexXphp/ct-menu-item-29/catholic-political-theory

Give it a read and let’s discuss your thoughts.
 
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Democratic - or any other type of - socialism is a transitional state government. Church teaching condemns all forms of collectivism, of which socialism is one form.

Look up “Distributism”
 
catholic_knighthood said:
Now that the 2020 Presidential candidates are in the public square stumping for our votes and endorsements, I wanted to talk about this notion of “Democratic Socialism” or just Socialism in general that is being espoused. Should Catholics actually entertain and get behind these ideas?

To start I found this article I wanted to share that seems to be a fairly concise and legitimate explanation of the ideas - however the system won’t let me post the URL to it nor can I copy the complete text here - too many words

It is on this website, substitute dots for the “X” characters: eohsjnwusaXorg/indexXphp/ct-menu-item-29/catholic-political-theory

Give it a read and let’s discuss your thoughts.
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I don’t see anywhere on the planet, where we see people breaking into, or trying to break into, any socialist country.
 
When you say “others” are they faithful Catholics and are they citing authentic Catholic teaching?
 
What we need is a balance between capitalism and socialism. Either out of control is a bad thing.
Capitalists love to demonize socialists, and vice versa…
Kind of like our two main political parties. We need to keep the other in check. And to find ways to compromise. That is the way that progress is made.
 
“What we need is a balance between capitalism and socialism. Either out of control is a bad thing.”

Personal opinions aside, it’s clear that Catholic teaching does not regard any form of Marxism as valid, however subtle or nuanced the treatment, and instead teaches that all forms of Marxism are evil. Pretty strong language to use I know, but seems pretty straight forward to me, even if we individually don’t think it’s that clearly defined.
 
Socialism = Forced/Involuntary Charity = Government “helps” those in need = contrary to Gospel

Free market = Voluntary Charity = Citizens help those in need via their own time/money = consistent with Gospel

Jesus said “render to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God’s”

Jesus did not say “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s so that Caesar can render to God what is God’s”
 
National Socialist Democratic Workers’ Party or NSDAP. Not a good idea. Or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR. That didn’t work out.
 
Marx was a socialist. But are all socialists like Marx was?
It Germany and other European countries, they had socialized medicine. The government provides health care for all. Money for that health care is provided through taxes.
Social security and Medicare are socialist ideas. I would say that 90 percent or more of Americans like both programs.
 
Ok, just read the article referenced and in my opinion the author (Brianne Jacobs) is offering their opinions and not authentic Catholic teaching. She appears to be saying that current “Democratic Socialists” like AOC have somehow found a way to divorce their brand of Socialism from Marxism - which cannot be done. The same end results of this new “Democratic Socialism” are the same as any other form of Socialism. The role of the government to supply for the needs of the people sounds great in theory, but the Gospel of Jesus teaches personal responsibility, not deferring to the government to do it for us. At least that’s how I see it.
 
Any country that is ruled by a small group of people will not be a good place to live. Whether they call themselves socialists or fascists.
 
Good question, I think individuals can say and act how they want according to their free will, however, to espouse any form of Marxism is not a valid Christian position - let alone compatible with Catholic teaching. In the United States the “New Deal” and the rise of government run healthcare - be it Medicare, Medicaid, and even the VA system, while popular have only resulted in people relying more on the government to solve their problems, and less on individual responsibility. It’s a slippery slope that ultimately leads us down the path to full embracing of Marxism as the rule and not the exception.

Again, some of this is my opinion and how I see us repeating history, but Catholic Church teaching is clear.
 
Jesus also didn’t say the government had no duty to do anything for its citizens. Jesus simply said “render unto Ceasar” without putting qualifications on what “Ceasar” does with it. That you’re miffed about “involuntary charity” is besides the point.
 
PatrickC1982 said:
Jesus also didn’t say the government had no duty to do anything for its citizens. Jesus simply said “render unto Ceasar” without putting qualifications on what “Ceasar” does with it.
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True, but Socialism says Government has exclusive duty to do anything for its citizens. If you and I wanted to open a private Catholic charity to help the poor, the Government would forbid it.
PatrickC1982 said:
That you’re miffed about “involuntary charity” is besides the point.
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Ad hominem attacks just weaken your point.
 
GUIDE TO SOCIALISM THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY
  1. So you try again and your system fails, but its ok cause its not real Socialism
  2. So you try again and your system fails, but its ok cause its not real Socialism
  3. Go back to 1.
 
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