Is 'Sharing All Things in Common' Socialism?
Not sure where this is from, but I found it in a journal folder. Thought it was interesting and can relate to all kinds of issues around working together, means to unity, using our gifts as a Christian body . . . .
Mathematics of Collaboration:
Add the strength of others;
subtract the differences;
divide the praise;
multiply the benefits
(F.S. Poyadue)
Kind of reminded me of a recent group conversation where I was explaining how I sometimes wonder how my faith should interact with the concepts of independence and dependence or individualism/self-sufficiency and the sharing of life/all things in common concept as found in the New Testament. I gave the example of Asian cultures where hospitality is expected and means you share EVERYTHING of the host. When I lived in Asia, it challenged me when my guests would help themselves to my personal items. I found myself in a cultural battle inside: "why didn't they just ask? I would have been glad to have them borrow that or use that!" "Can't they at least tell me they used that and say thank you???" Furthermore, children are responsible for their parents; I never heard the phrase "I don't want to be a burden on them" from parents. Dependence is actually emulated to a certain extent.
Since the conversation centered around finances and personal possessions, I was just questioning if that is an area where my faith should help me be less selfish of my possessions and time. Is it just a cultural issue where it's OK that Americans are more private just as it is OK Asians are more interdependent? Or is it an example where my faith should critique my cultural behavior and attitudes?
I'm not sure I got any clear answers from that conversation. But I did find it facinating and perhaps a bit shocking that someone responded to my thoughts by linking interdependence or the "sharing all things in common" concept with socialism/communism or the fear that that is the next step from sharing all in common. So I am not sure where that leaves the question.
And there is more I could admit . . . but better not at this point. I just wonder.
Mathematics of Collaboration:
Add the strength of others;
subtract the differences;
divide the praise;
multiply the benefits
(F.S. Poyadue)
Kind of reminded me of a recent group conversation where I was explaining how I sometimes wonder how my faith should interact with the concepts of independence and dependence or individualism/self-sufficiency and the sharing of life/all things in common concept as found in the New Testament. I gave the example of Asian cultures where hospitality is expected and means you share EVERYTHING of the host. When I lived in Asia, it challenged me when my guests would help themselves to my personal items. I found myself in a cultural battle inside: "why didn't they just ask? I would have been glad to have them borrow that or use that!" "Can't they at least tell me they used that and say thank you???" Furthermore, children are responsible for their parents; I never heard the phrase "I don't want to be a burden on them" from parents. Dependence is actually emulated to a certain extent.
Since the conversation centered around finances and personal possessions, I was just questioning if that is an area where my faith should help me be less selfish of my possessions and time. Is it just a cultural issue where it's OK that Americans are more private just as it is OK Asians are more interdependent? Or is it an example where my faith should critique my cultural behavior and attitudes?
I'm not sure I got any clear answers from that conversation. But I did find it facinating and perhaps a bit shocking that someone responded to my thoughts by linking interdependence or the "sharing all things in common" concept with socialism/communism or the fear that that is the next step from sharing all in common. So I am not sure where that leaves the question.
And there is more I could admit . . . but better not at this point. I just wonder.
posted by Gecko Girl at
10:03 PM
2 Comments:
Interesting. This fear of socialism popping up with certain readings of Scripture is one I've come across. I think that Christian alms giving, generous hospitality, and mutual aid is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as the early church. In the New Testament record and beyond, we know that the Church was know for its unique economic practices and generousity towards those who were poor.
It is important to distinguish between what is happening in the Church in response to the Gospel and a socio-political ideology such as socialism/communism. One is an economic system, one is a heart response out of a love for the other. One is imposed by government...the other is a free-will response to loving Christ in the other. Freely we've received...freely give.
A truly Christian view of economics will perhaps appropriate the idea of stewardship. There is a marked difference between this mindset--being stewards of time, talent, money, relationships, health--versus a more selfish approach--private property. Again, the private property concept is a necessary way of conducting business in a society with legal codes and ways of establishing order. But in the Kingdom, shouldn't we be more preoccupied with being the best possible stewards in all of life so we can share generously with those in need. So it is not that wealth is bad, but how am I being a steward of my abundance. Is it controling, defining me. Is it making me an excessive consumer preocuppied with status and things, or is it allowing me to give to the Kingdom of God. I think that in capitalism, the onus falls on the individual to make wise economic choices. I still am looking for how the community of believers interfaces with this. I know we talk about these matters in Sunday School, but money matters still seem to be very private matters. I too struggle with feeling more comfortable with being personally responsible (with my spouse) to manage our money. Is it bad to expect that each household manage their own finances? What is the balance between mutual accountability (this is not code for communism) and mutual aid in the area of finances? Some of the early Anabaptists practiced a common purse. If I'm honest, I don't really want to do that. It seems rife with potential issues--power... Anyway, isn't our economic system and society as a whole operating in a different way in our era. Communal living may be an effective modal for practicing stewardship, but is it possible to do this and still integrate with culture? I know some modern-day monastic communities who are attempting to work at some of these issues--like the simple way in Philadelphia.
By
Brian Miller, at 6:53 AM, June 14, 2006
You brought out several important related factors as well as asked many good questions I would love to follow-up on, but maybe can't do in one post. Again, my intention is to see how my faith should fit into all these ideas. But I want to emphasize, I am not trying to judge nor promote any particular cultural or socio-political practices.
Quite honestly, our capitalistic, private/personally (actually market) controlled economy works for the US and has shaped our culture. So I think we need to adapt and learn to live in that context. . . meaning we hold private property, plan for retirement, utilize insurance and debt as we feel appropriate, etc. But, as you mentioned, as Christians we need to monitor our heart attitude toward these "possessions." Are we stewards? - meaning we remember that we should try to buy AND give as Jesus would . . . that's a tall order on both accounts! That's also where I see selfishness sneak in, but I also see opportunities for us to generously share if we can combat some of our "possessions" mentality (and I should say - I am speaking on a general level, not judging our congregation where I see many generous people).
Then there are more socially communal cultures which may or may not live under politically socialistic governments. In these communities Christians would not even have conversations about insurance, IRAs, welfare or hobbies. If one family is rich enough to buy a radio, the neighbors expect that when the family plays it they turn it up loud enough so all the neighbors can hear (no matter what hour of the day or night)! That is sharing in the simple sense. And, like our Amish neighbors, in many of these cultures grandparents and family members with developmental difficulties, or the poor are cared for by family and/or by the local religious centers (churches, temples, etc.). IRA's, welfare and insurance are unheard of. We, in the US, need them since our culture is not set up to handle welfare purely within the community. So I don't think we can find specific Biblical bases for how to invest or prepare for our future or what economic system we should operate under when we are bound, in a sense, to our culture.
Yes, you are right, there are some communities which transcend this (we lived with a family from the Bruderhoff for a while). I am most impressed and intrigued by those groups which also intentionally integrate with the community around them. I suppose I would not be as committed to the "common purse" idea (perhaps this is my cultural bias coming through), but I tremendously admire the sharing of time, meals, care for family and commitment to "mission" or the outside community. As you brought out, this is not political socialism, but a free-will response.
But I can't help but wonder - and I know that this is perhaps too looooong of a jump and I haven't gotten it all thought through yet - if the impetus behind the politically socialistic mindset is really any different than the US right-wing demanding "Christian values." Both acknowledge that humans are innately selfish, wanting their own rights and private way of living. So if people don't voluntarily live out the ideals the "top" (or in our case the vocal majority) wants to promote, governments use legislation to enforce the values, whether they be family matters or public welfare. I don't know . . . still pondering that one.
By
Gecko Girl, at 10:29 AM, June 14, 2006
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