What are some Catholic Socialist Organizations?

[Seeker100]

What are some Catholic Socialist Organizations?

 

[Nowhere_Man]

Isn’t that a little contradictory, since the Church condemns Socialism?

"The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modem times with “communism” or “socialism.’”(CCC 2425)

 

[Seeker100]

Isn’t that a little contradictory, since the Church condemns Socialism?

"The Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modem times with “communism” or “socialism.’”(CCC 2425)

I did not know that the Catholic church condemns socialism but from being on Catholic Answers site it certainly appears that way.

As just a little protestant I found it hard to believe that the church from which Mother Teresa, Little Flower and Jean Vanier are a part of could be so cold.

Well to my relief I found some Catholics that seem to have the gospels in mind.

I like these people!!

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96281602

catholicsforobama.blogspot.com/

catholicsforobama.org/

Food for the soul!!!

 

[rtconstant]

I did not know that the Catholic church condemns socialism but from being on Catholic Answers site it certainly appears that way.

As just a little protestant I found it hard to believe that the church from which Mother Teresa, Little Flower and Jean Vanier are a part of could be so cold.

Well to my relief I found some Catholics that seem to have the gospels in mind.

I like these people!!

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96281602

catholicsforobama.blogspot.com/

catholicsforobama.org/

Food for the soul!!!

The Church has condemned Marxist Socialism. However, socialist ideals pre-exist Marx. He just had his own, atheistic, and secular view on philosophy. In truth one of the first and most influential socialist movements was the Christian Socialist Party, Some times called Christian Socialism, or Christian Democrats. Christian Socialism actually upholds personal property rights, and is Democratic in nature. The movement was inspired by Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Nevarum. It tends to focus on solidarity between classes, and the relief of suffering from the poor.

While it was very popular in Catholic Countries at the turn of century, and is still active in parts of Europe. It never caught on in the US.

Here is a modest wikipage on some the movement’s history:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_socialism

 

[manualman]

I did not know that the Catholic church condemns socialism but from being on Catholic Answers site it certainly appears that way.

As just a little protestant I found it hard to believe that the church from which Mother Teresa, Little Flower and Jean Vanier are a part of could be so cold.
…

The best catholic thought on the subject is still the encyclical Rerum Novarum (available on the web). It is an amazingly thoughtful reflection on the errors that result in abuses in BOTH capitalism and socialism. It is an excellent explanation of why today’s assumption that you must pick one or the other (false dilemma).

If the coldness of Profit-first capitalism turns you off and the blood-soaked 100 year history of socialism even slightly concerns you, do some reading on Distributism, especially by GK Chesterton.

 

[Seeker100]

The Church has condemned Marxist Socialism. However, socialist ideals pre-exist Marx. He just had his own, atheistic, and secular view on philosophy. In truth one of the first and most influential socialist movements was the Christian Socialist Party, Some times called Christian Socialism, or Christian Democrats. Christian Socialism actually upholds personal property rights, and is Democratic in nature. The movement was inspired by Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Nevarum. It tends to focus on solidarity between classes, and the relief of suffering from the poor.

While it was very popular in Catholic Countries at the turn of century, and is still active in parts of Europe. It never caught on in the US.

Here is a modest wikipage on some the movement’s history:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_socialism

This is excellent! Thank you very very much for your help.

God Bless!

 

[Seeker100]

The best catholic thought on the subject is still the encyclical Rerum Novarum (available on the web). It is an amazingly thoughtful reflection on the errors that result in abuses in BOTH capitalism and socialism. It is an excellent explanation of why today’s assumption that you must pick one or the other (false dilemma).

If the coldness of Profit-first capitalism turns you off and the blood-soaked 100 year history of socialism even slightly concerns you, do some reading on Distributism, especially by GK Chesterton.

This is excellent. Thank you very very much.

God Bless!!

 

[royal_archer]

I did not know that the Catholic church condemns socialism but from being on Catholic Answers site it certainly appears that way.

As just a little protestant I found it hard to believe that the church from which Mother Teresa, Little Flower and Jean Vanier are a part of could be so cold.

Well to my relief I found some Catholics that seem to have the gospels in mind.

I like these people!!

npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96281602

catholicsforobama.blogspot.com/

catholicsforobama.org/

Food for the soul!!!

Beware of fringe groups who are not representing Christian teaching. Obama (like the serpent in the garden) is very good at manipulation. There are some who have been lured away from the Christian way by the siren song of universal freebees with limited responsibility. Obama can not make health care, money, food, etc appear out of thin air. All of the freebees that Obama is promising sound good as long as you don’t bother to think about where it is come from it. Mother Teresa gave of herself and asked others to give of themselves as all good Christians do. What we do not do is use an offer to help others as an excuse to take what is not ours. This is why Christians can not support Obama, Socialism, Communism, or related –isms. Obama is not promising to give from his wealth, nor is he promising to give from the wealth of voluntary contributors. He intends to give away money that he will take, by force, from others. It is this element of force that makes Obama’s policies un-Christian. This element of force is inherent in Socialism and Communism today. This is why we can not support Socialism and communism even though Christians do support the concept of communal support, mutual sharing and charity on a voluntary basis.

 

[Seeker100]

Beware of fringe groups who are not representing Christian teaching. Obama (like the serpent in the garden) is very good at manipulation. There are some who have been lured away from the Christian way by the siren song of universal freebees with limited responsibility. Obama can not make health care, money, food, etc appear out of thin air. All of the freebees that Obama is promising sound good as long as you don’t bother to think about where it is come from it. Mother Teresa gave of herself and asked others to give of themselves as all good Christians do. What we do not do is use an offer to help others as an excuse to take what is not ours. This is why Christians can not support Obama, Socialism, Communism, or related –isms. Obama is not promising to give from his wealth, nor is he promising to give from the wealth of voluntary contributors. He intends to give away money that he will take, by force, from others. It is this element of force that makes Obama’s policies un-Christian. This element of force is inherent in Socialism and Communism today. This is why we can not support Socialism and communism even though Christians do support the concept of communal support, mutual sharing and charity on a voluntary basis.

Thanks for sharing with me. Your point of view is very interesting. Why is it that all the developed nations have universal health care, except the United States. Why is that? Why is United States unable to have a health care system that covers everyone when all the other developed nations of the earth do?

 

[Ignatius]

What are some Catholic Socialist Organizations?

There are none, there are some socialistic organizations such as those you mention that claim to be catholic but, since they oppose the Authentic teachings of The Catholic Faith, they are not in accord with The Catholic Church.

 

[royal_archer]

Thanks for sharing with me. Your point of view is very interesting. Why is it that all the developed nations have universal health care, except the United States. Why is that? Why is United States unable to have a health care system that covers everyone when all the other developed nations of the earth do?

Because we are a constitutional republic where the government is limmited to a very small role which does not include socialized medicine. While that constitution is erroding, their are many here who still believe in freedom.

If there are so many countries with “universal health care” why is it an issue? Why don’t the people who want free health care just move to one of those countries?

Why do so many of the people in those countries with “universal health care” still come to America to get quality care?

 

[Seeker100]

Because we are a constitutional republic where the government is limmited to a very small role which does not include socialized medicine. While that constitution is erroding, their are many here who still believe in freedom.

If there are so many countries with “universal health care” why is it an issue? Why don’t the people who want free health care just move to one of those countries?

Why do so many of the people in those countries with “universal health care” still come to America to get quality care?

Your answers are very to the point. Do you believe that a Constitutional Republic is the best form of governement. If yes, why do you prefer this set up? What are the advantages?

It is true people from Canada come to United States for medical treatment. This is due to shortages in the Canadian system. These Canadian patients, non the less. still have the bulk of their bills paid for by the Canadian system. What is your opinon of that?

 

[Seeker100]

There are none, there are some socialistic organizations such as those you mention that claim to be catholic but, since they oppose the Authentic teachings of The Catholic Faith, they are not in accord with The Catholic Church.

What about the Jesuits in South America? Where do they fit in to all of this?

 

[royal_archer]

Your answers are very to the point. Do you believe that a Constitutional Republic is the best form of governement. If yes, why do you prefer this set up? What are the advantages?

The government is an extension of the people with authority granted to it by the people through a slow and deliberative process. It is not supposed to react to the trendy whims of a small group of people. When the people as a whole, or a substantial majority, want to give the government an additional power they do so through amendments. This makes it harder for the government to violate human rights. Is it the best, no a dictatorship with me as the benevolent dictator would be best for everyone, but short of that , a constitutional republic is one of the better forms of governments (as long as people are willing to enforce it)

It is true people from Canada come to United States for medical treatment. This is due to shortages in the Canadian system. These Canadian patients, non the less. still have the bulk of their bills paid for by the Canadian system. What is your opinon of that?

If America goes to socialist medicine, where will all of the Canadians go for quality health care? The high quality health care in this country is only available because of the remnants of the free market system.

I am not asking that any of those other countries change their systems. Why are the leftist so interested in coming here and trying to change my country? Why can’t America remain a small isolated patch of land where people who choose to be free can be free?

 

[Mimi]

I think one can say fairly that there are “socialist” groups who pose as being Catholic or call themselves Catholic, but say they are about “social justice”. They are often ecumenical, or “inter-faith”. But they probably promote Liberation Theology.

If you are wanting to get more information on one, you could try a search at www.catholicculture.org, or do a search at that site with the name of the leader of the group. There are so many these days, it can be difficult to discern who is what and what is authentically Catholic.

There are some interesting articles at Catholic Media Coalition.
www.catholicmediacoalition.org

Happy reading – and thanks for posting this question; it is an important one.

Mimi

 

[Seeker100]

The government is an extension of the people with authority granted to it by the people through a slow and deliberative process. It is not supposed to react to the trendy whims of a small group of people. When the people as a whole, or a substantial majority, want to give the government an additional power they do so through amendments. This makes it harder for the government to violate human rights. Is it the best, no a dictatorship with me as the benevolent dictator would be best for everyone, but short of that , a constitutional republic is one of the better forms of governments (as long as people are willing to enforce it)

If America goes to socialist medicine, where will all of the Canadians go for quality health care? The high quality health care in this country is only available because of the remnants of the free market system.

I am not asking that any of those other countries change their systems. Why are the leftist so interested in coming here and trying to change my country? Why can’t America remain a small isolated patch of land where people who choose to be free can be free?

These are very good points. Thanks.

 

[rtconstant]

There are none, there are some socialistic organizations such as those you mention that claim to be catholic but, since they oppose the Authentic teachings of The Catholic Faith, they are not in accord with The Catholic Church.

I’m sure the various Christian Socialist Parties would have been rather surprised to hear that given their systems were non-secular and based on directly on teachings of the Church and the Popes. The OP wasn’t asking about Marxist Socialist but about Christian Socialist groups.

 

[Seeker100]

I think one can say fairly that there are “socialist” groups who pose as being Catholic or call themselves Catholic, but say they are about “social justice”. They are often ecumenical, or “inter-faith”. But they probably promote Liberation Theology.

If you are wanting to get more information on one, you could try a search at www.catholicculture.org, or do a search at that site with the name of the leader of the group. There are so many these days, it can be difficult to discern who is what and what is authentically Catholic.

There are some interesting articles at Catholic Media Coalition.
www.catholicmediacoalition.org

Happy reading – and thanks for posting this question; it is an important one.

Mimi

Thanks! This is very informative.

 

[Mimi]

Seeker100, you are very welcome.

You may also be interested in this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=376418

We all are obligated to be informed about our faith and defend it. That is what I see Catholic Culture and Catholic Media Coalition doing (and others).

Mimi