why does the catholic church oppose socialism and communism?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church has rejected the totalitarian and atheistic ideologies associated in modern times with "communism" or "socialism."

She has likewise refused to accept, in the practice of "capitalism," individualism and the absolute primacy of the law of the marketplace over human labor.

Regulating the economy solely by centralized planning (Communism) perverts the basis of social bonds; regulating it solely by the law of the marketplace (Capitalism) fails social justice, for "there are many human needs which cannot be satisfied by the market."

Reasonable regulation of the marketplace and economic initiatives, in keeping with a just hierarchy of values and a view to the common good, is to be commended.

A theory that makes profit the exclusive norm and ultimate end of economic activity is morally unacceptable. The disordered desire for money cannot but produce perverse effects. It is one of the causes of the many conflicts which disturb the social order.

A system that "subordinates the basic rights of individuals and of groups to the collective organization of production" is contrary to human dignity. Every practice that reduces persons to nothing more than a means of profit enslaves man, leads to idolizing money, and contributes to the spread of atheism.

"You cannot serve God and mammon."

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2419 and following: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art7.htm#2419

With love in Christ

Answer 2

the meanings of socialism and communism have no switched, so the person who asked the question is correct.

Lenin coined the word socialism - as his brand of Marxism

But Marx did not invent the word communism. Communism used to be a word to describe a community like the Amish community, who rule by some non market collective process.

Today, the word communism is ascribed to systems like what the Soviets had, and the word socialism to anything less than that. For example, we use the term the Democratic Socialists in Europe for example.

Answer 3

It doesn't oppose socialism. But it opposes Communism as it is/was practiced in the USSR and China because belief in God is discouraged, and worship is all but forbidden. Marx called religion the opiate of the masses--promising later rewards (in Heaven) for sacrifice in the present.

Actually, the way the nuns used to live--in convents, etc.--was a perfect form of Communism. Nothing was owned by individuals, and each nun received what she needed to live on, no matter what her job was (school teacher, house keeper, etc.) If someone brought a nun a gift, such as cookies, there had to be enough for everyone in the convent .

Answer 4

The opposition is mostly because socialism and communism (in essence, the same thing only communism is more radical) teach poor people to hate richer people, and that is contrary to God's teachings.

Also there are other reasons such as the economics the socialism and communism talk about perverts social bonds, so enslaving people to money, and the atheism they promote.

Answer 5

The Church choose to hold people to holiness. It does this via coaching what has been preserved of the instructions of Jesus and the Apostles. each and each technology applies those teachings to itself and passes them directly to the subsequent technology. God is deserving of awe, admire and love. He needs people to be as totally and authentically human as conceivable. that's what the Church teaches whether it particularly is politically suited, politically left, expressed in customary custom or counter to customary custom. Political consistency is way less significant than the instructions of Jesus utilized to our circumstances.

Answer 6

Because both of those systems preach the 'phasing out' of religion, as they feel that 'The State' should be the only entity worshiped in a Socialist of Communist nation. Religions usually have a big problem with that, something to do with that 'Thou shalt have no God (or Government) before me' thing.

Answer 7

Socialism is the same as communism. The first being a euphemism for the latter. Socialism and communism are evil. I would urge you to take a Soviet History class.

Answer 8

Because those types of economies don't fill the offering plate.

Answer 9

for the same reason any other sane minded person does...