Socialist membership a grave sin?

[Topher]

gnat:

Should we not work to abolish greed? By endorsing capitalism you are endorsing greed, a deadly sin.

Capitalism allows people to choose what they do with their money. It allows free will and gives people the free opportunity to give charitably.

 

[Topher]

Gerry Hunter:

Any “ism” can be sinful, and the Church stands separate from them all so she can call them to account if they move into it.

Socialism can be a sin where it denies God, or the diginity of the human person in the name of the collective.

Capitalism can be a sin if it leads to systemic exploitation to produce wealth.

To both of the above, add, “among other things.”

One can’t really use Catholic teaching to endorse any one political philosophy. However, for a Catholic, the teachings of the Church direct him on how to interpret and respond to the implementation of all of them.

Blessings,

Gerry

Perfect response

 

[harinkj]

Topher:

Capitalism allows people to choose what they do with their money. It allows free will and gives people the free opportunity to give charitably.

Capitlism can be many things. Often several concepts are lumped together and called capitalism. A strict definition of capitalisl might simply be an economic system whyby investment capital can be raised by establishing entities, with certain rights, called corporations.

The same is true of communism. Some communist systems are atheistic. Didn’t Jesus and his close apostles live as communists in the same sense that monks in monasteries do?

As for the original post in this thread, go to “Ask an Apologist” or a confessor with a good knowledge of socialist organizations. That would be the best course of action. There are too many people with political axes to grind to get a correct answer in a public thread like this.

Kathie :bowdown:

 

[Fox]

I can’t stand capitalism at all.

 

[cynic]

Topher:

Capitalism allows people to choose what they do with their money. It allows free will and gives people the free opportunity to give charitably.

So you believe in privatising schools? no pentions for the elderly? no health and safety laws that employers must follow? no tax in any form whatsoever to go towards theses things? These are all socialist in origin. To some degree Republicans are socialist.

Unfortunately joining a organisation that calls itself socialist these days means supporting things like abortion rights, homosexual rights, no censorship, etc…

 

[kev7]

Fox:

I can’t stand capitalism at all.

the problem with capitalism today is that no one truely follows the theory correctly. Today our companies are focused on profitism not capitialism.

There was a time when it did work, when companies would not take profits, but put the money back into their company and let it grow. At that time the purpose was to give people a job and improve the standard of living for everyone. Now… it is all about making money.

The problem with socialism is that it sows the worst seeds of corruption very quickly.

 

[LeftHandBlack]

I wouldn’t worry unless you had a membership in the National Socialist party, seeker. If that were the case, I’d say get to confession before people start wanting to jab you with pointy sticks. Seriously, go ask a Priest. He should be able to shed some light on this issue.

 

[Petergee]

mlchance:

Acts 2:45 neither describes nor justifies socialism. The communal aspect of the early Church described in Acts was voluntary, and it was not universal. Socialism is not voluntary; it is compulsory.

As for how socialism is not compatible with Christianity, I’ll let Pope Leo XIII explain.

Excerpt:

“But the evils which We then deplored have so rapidly increased that We are again compelled to address you, as though we heard the voice of the prophet ringing in Our ears: “Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet.”[1] You understand, venerable brethren, that We speak of that sect of men who, under various and almost barbarous names, are called socialists, communists, or nihilists, and who, spread over all the world, and bound together by the closest ties in a wicked confederacy, no longer seek the shelter of secret meetings, but, openly and boldly marching forth in the light of day, strive to bring to a head what they have long been planning – the overthrow of all civil society whatsoever.”

– Mark L. Chance.

As is obvious from the quote from Pope Leo, at that time “socialist” was interchangeable with “communist”. Unfortunately some people still haven’t got the news that socialists parted ways with communists over 100 years ago. Socialists do not seek to overthrow civil society. BTW in the same encyclical Pope Leo endorsed the right of workers to form unions to be paid a just wage, that governments have duties to care for those unable to work etc. etc.

Socialism is in no way incompatible with Catholicism, much less a sin! much less a mortal sin!! There are many Christian Socialist/Labour/Social Democrat parties around the world with many good Catholic members. Catholics are encouraged to take an active part in politics in accordance with their various political views. Catholics are free to join any political party with the exception of those (Communist, Nazi) which require members to renounce Catholic beliefs.

Unfortunately many political parties on both Left and Right espouse some individual policies (eg on abortion) which are contrary to Catholic faith and morality. However unless the party REQUIRES you to endorse such a policy as a condition of membership, this should not deter you from joining the party if its general political aims coincide with yours. As a member you can then work on changing the objectionable policy.