What was up with today's first reading? (communism)

[straykat]

Wifi and porn viewing are pretty recent. Look at how long libraries have been around besides that. It must’ve been doing something right, else it would have died off quicker than this.

Anyways, it’s just one thing that came off the top of my head. It’s also a secular example. I’m sure church libraries fare better.

 

[SacredHeartBassist]

i play music in my church. i’m telling you that things that are shared get destroyed.

haven’t you seen section 8 houses? so many of them have broken windows. you know why? because they people that live there don’t care about them because they don’t own their home.

 

[straykat]

I guess it depends on the instrument too. Plenty of churches have had instruments statically placed (organs… maybe some other keyboard instrument). I’m a guitarist myself, so I understand how that could go badly. You’re bassist I presume… I have to wonder how anyone managed to abuse those. lol. They’re pretty tough.

 

[SacredHeartBassist]

people will literally push huge amps against the bass. or throw around pedals or other musical equipment. or rip out sheet music from our binders

 

[straykat]

Honestly, I’d be happier just donating some of my guitars. Not letting people touch my favorites.

 

[SacredHeartBassist]

see what i mean? we want to keep out prized possessions to ourselves. nothing wrong with that

 

[straykat]

We’re talking about destruction though. No different than protecting a work of art. I can understand that. It’s not greed. I’d even be happy lending out a guitar to someone with the same care.

 

[phil19034]

Wifi and porn viewing are pretty recent. Look at how long libraries have been around besides that. It must’ve been doing something right, else it would have died off quicker than this.

Anyways, it’s just one thing that came off the top of my head. It’s also a secular example. I’m sure church libraries fare better.

In the United States, the reason why public libraries are open is because the states and/or counties have got involved to keep them open.

Previously, they were all funded by the local community. But today, there are County and/or State library organizations that help fund the libraries and help them share resources, costs etc.

The really good libraries still have strong local support, while others are open due to the state or county govt.

MOST libraries opened in the US when people were more civic minded and donated to public works projects. That’s why old train stations, city halls,other old public buildings, AND even Churches are often beautiful.

But today, they are not the same because people don’t directly donate time/treasure to such things anymore. They expect the govt, church or some other organization to handle everything.

 

[phil19034]

In modern terminology, the disciples in the earliest years of the Church liquidated their capital base. Decades later, they had nothing left, and they were living off the charity of churches all over the rest of the world.

D

True. But there were being called to the modern equivalent of the Religious Life.

 

[twf]

But monasticism approaches the Christian ideal, no? So this is a better way of living even if not all of us are called to it.

 

[phil19034]

But monasticism approaches the Christian ideal, no? So this is a better way of living even if not all of us are called to it.

Well, back then extended families all lived together. The husband built an addition onto his parent’s home and he & his bride moved there with his parents.

How many women here would want to live with your in-laws, plus all of your brother-in-laws & their families?

It wasn’t so much that people were living with strangers in a communal way, but with extended family.

The Apostles on the other hand were called to leave their family to follow Christ in a “Religious Order” type way.

And Converts often had to live in community if their parents & family didn’t convert too.

But the ideal was to live in community with your extended family.

So, if you want to live more like the Apostles, move in with your parents or in-laws.

God Bless

 

[straykat]

So, if you want to live more like the Apostles, move in with your parents or in-laws.

God Bless

I don’t think parents matter as much as you put it. Mine weren’t/aren’t even Christian per se… but I do take care of my mom… and my dad just passed away in December. So I guess I fulfill this.

I think generosity was pretty important to Jesus and the early Church though… and it can’t be written off easily. If we make everything about knowledge or spiritualism, then we’re no better than the Gnostics.

 

[phil19034]

phil19034:

So, if you want to live more like the Apostles, move in with your parents or in-laws.

God Bless

I don’t think parents matter as much as you put it. Mine weren’t/aren’t even Christian per se… but I do take care of my mom… and my dad just passed away in December. So I guess I fulfill this.

I think generosity was pretty important to Jesus and the early Church though… and it can’t be written off easily.

Sorry, but I think you missed my point.

Historically, couples lived with the husband’s parents & his brothers UNLESS the parents and/or head of household (parents or oldest brother) were not Christian

 

[straykat]

I’m sure that may happen in some areas. Having everyone so secluded is very American. No family and usury… that’s about as American as Apple Pie.

 

[Seeksadvice]

I hear ya.

 

[SacredHeartBassist]

there’s a reason why monks can live like monks–they’re celibate and they have no children

 

[straykat]

I am celibate. I’m no monk though… But allow me to say that we choose this. It isn’t necessarily easy either.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

The main difference is it was all given into common ownership willingly. Not violently seized.

 

[guanophore]

Does this mean we should live like this today? I doubt it, but why not?

This is how monasteries and convents function.

It works for some people in some settings. I think if we had more of this mindset it would prevent some of the materialism and greed with which we suffer.

People should live this way when God has called them to it.

right, so should we choose to live that way? because i’m totally against this as a land owner. i make my livelihood through charging my tenants rent

Jesus did not forbid private property or business. He just taught that everything we are and own be subjected to Him, and that we seek first the Kingdom.

but that doesn’t mean that one can’t charge people rent or can’t loan money with an expected interest. if that’s true then banks are immoral (and we know they aren’t so…)

Actually I have run across two banks recently and a credit union with immoral practices.

But Jesus said, leave everything and follow me. He said to the rich man. Sell everything and follow me.

But he did not say this to everyone. His best friends, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary had a nice house. Peter kept a house where his mother in law lived.

You just wait, there will be those that tell you that you should give away your property to those who dont own property.

And if you live near the border you will get to donate it to the govt!

 

[straykat]

On a slightly related note, you know the popular theory that the early churches were merely informal gatherings in houses…? We find that they were actually houses converted into buildings with all the trappings of a church (it was still formal). These ruins in Dura/Syria demonstrate:

Dura-Europos church - Wikipedia

Like one of the rooms here was turned into a baptismal font:


It was in a neighborhood, with other houses… but looks like this one was specifically converted for worship purposes only. Someone probably donated this house for that reason alone.