Would "you" consider Jesus a communist?

Question

If so do explain, if not, again, do explain; I want to see/hear your opinions. Facts would be nice to >.^...that meaning with resources.

Ok, tell me what a communist is to you? I know many people have been influenced from the media what a communist 'is', so give me your definition to back it up...

Answer 1

Jesus taught us to give to the poor & help others.

Communism is about taking from some, whether they are willing to share or not, to give to others.

Those who confuse the two would also confuse Jesus with Robin Hood.

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But early Christians often did live in "communes" where everyone shared. The difference between these communities & what we consider "communism" today, is that these were small communities where everyone knew each other. There are many small religious communities, not unlike the Amish, that practice communism on a very small scale. But when the population gets over 150, they split in two. This is the only way it works.

To try and apply these practices to large countries only results in corruption & disaster.

Answer 2

Depends on how you define "Communism," I suppose. There have been many different interpretations of it over the years, ranging from the permanent, centralized state (which is how it has always materialized in history) to an ideal where the state would quickly "fade away" and no government was necessary whatsoever, etc. For me, I mainly take my definition of "Communism" from how it operated in history and Marx's writings.

One great problem with the suggestion that "Jesus was a Communist," however, is that Communist movements have always required violent and massive upheaval to uproot the previous regime and ruling classes. Jesus did not support violent revolution of any sort. Jesus supported sharing of resources (on a voluntary basis, not forced by the state) and care of the poor by his followers, so I'm sure he would have had many criticisms with the modern West's capitalist systems, though, too. So, I don't think Jesus was either a Communist or a Capitalist.

Answer 3

That question is like asking "Do you think a Banana will be as fast or as yellow as an Aston Martin DB9?" . The two parts of the question are mutually exclusive. They have no relation to each other and therefore cannot be judged on each others terms. A Communist is basically an atheist. So comparing Communism to the creator of the Christian Church is surreal at best. A better question would be "Do we think the Church is more Communist in it's outlook that it would like to admit?". But to answer your question as best I can. No. Jesus was basically a good man. He had no cultural ideals like communism except for us all to be good to each other. He never said the heaving masses should unite and uprise. In His time there were people saying that. Revolutionaries. But Jesus kept away from that as best He could.

Answer 4

I'll play along.
Although a preacher of benevolence, forgiveness, etc., nothing jumps out as classic Communist political theory. Communism (at least Marxist influenced) involves common ownership of the means of production, a kind of pooling of resources, a "communal society" if you will.
One parable that does come to mind which might be compatible with communism, however, is the multiplication of the fish or whatever that was----a food source for many. But I think to a large degree he was apolitical. Now, "communal" in the sense of disciples, in the sense of the "church" as a "community"---that is different. Some might call that "fellowship". But not in terms of nineteenth century political theory. Although he would have discouraged socioeconomic class distinctions to the extent they caused basic indignities or mistreatment, I don't think he would have insisted on complete socioeconomic equality, either. There was some inequality in his time, and wasn't he more into respecting basic human rights/human dignity, but not necessarily complete economic "equalization" .

Answer 5

No. Communists believe in an absolute ruler having absolute control over everyone else's stuff. The State owns all resources. I never saw Jesus propose this.

Jesus was more of a classic liberal, one who believes in individual freedom especially from State bullying, like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

(I am not comparing him to Leftists who CALL themselves liberals!)

Furthermore, Jesus believed God was the highest authority, a notion Communists cannot tolerate. In a Leftist/Communist world, the Glorious Leader is the supreme authority and wedges are driven between The People and God to ensure that Man is the supreme ruler.

Answer 6

Thats a great question and one worthy of a two hour discussion. I agree with most who said that "no" he's not and for all their reasons also. I think Jesus would have been a conservative on social issues but more of a socialist in governmental aspects. The apostles tried communal living as an extension of his teachings, but it failed due to human frailness, envy and the inherant jealousy's that are common to all.
Communist? no, because of it's exclusivity as it relates to humanism.

Answer 7

Jesus had no economic or political mandate. His teachings revolved around the spiritual. At most, he saw government as being corrupt.

True, he wanted those who have to help those who have not. But he never said anything about robbing people at gunpoint (which is ultimately what taxation is) to pay for all the poor, or anything about preventing people from having wealth to begin with, which is what communism is.

Answer 8

Hmm. No, I wouldn't really consider Jesus a communist. He advocated that the only way to get into Heaven was to have faith in God. He didn't make everyone bow down on their knees and pray to God, they had a choice. People in a communist-run country don't.

Answer 9

No. Jesus believed in the virtue of voluntarily helping the less fortunate. In Communist countries, the state forces you into slavery, and then decides who is more deserving of the fruits of your labor.

Answer 10

No.

I would consider Jesus to be more of a monarch. A Monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch, usually a single person, is the head of state.