Should the US become communist?

Question

I only ask because of the recent debates about the 10 commandments. Communism is really the only economic system that doesn't encourage covetousness. Although most communist countries have embraced atheism, there is nothing about communism that is inherently atheist. In fact, I think Jesus would like the idea of each receiving according to his needs and giving according to his abilities. So why are we, a country supposedly founded on Christian ethics and therefore the 10 commandments, a capitalist nation? We are breaking the commandment about covetousness every time we ask for a raise, save up to buy something that everyone else doesn't already have, or hit a sale at Walmart.

Fireball, would you please support your view?

Magley & Gazoo, although I agree with you, I think I'm looking for a more theistic view, specifically from those who endeavor to adhere to the 10 commandments.

Taelec, I agree with you, as well, but this doesn't address the idea of covetousness (except the bit about the sale).

Mastermind, I didn't say that they work, but that the system, when properly adhered to, does not encourage covetousness. Human nature may encourage it, but the system itself does not.

Mike P, so if you purchase something instead of tithing, you are being covetous, right? If you work on Sunday, are you being covetous?

thebigm5, that sounds like a rationalization to me. When the Bible says to love your neighbor, does that only apply to those to the immediate right and left? Or do you have to love the people across the street, too? Or the whole block? And what if I happen to live next door to my boss?

Answer 1

There are a couple of reasons to care about other people...
One is out of fear... that's the religious reason.
One is out of empathy... that's the moral reason.
One is out of utility... that's the political reason.

Answer 2

There is no connection between communism and coveting. People in communist countries are locked into their assigned social role and people in the party administration are much, much better off than the general public so their positions are coveted.
In the US, we are supposedly rewarding everyone on the merit system, so supposedly if you want something, you can get it if you work hard enough or are gifted enough. There is a lot of greed in the capitalist system, it powers it to a large degree, but coveting things is normal for most modern societies. Even societies with communal resources and almost nothing still have a better sleeping place in the hut or a better location to sit in the afternoon sun. Part of the 10 Commandments are basic ground rules for any group of people and others are more general social goals - they are on there because they tend to occur but they are also a social vice, so their control is desireable.

Answer 3

I'll play devil's advocate (Jesus's advocate?) and take the side of a Christian defending capitalism:

Communism wouldn't actually remove covetousness. The desire to own things is an inherent desire that promotes survival (at one point, hoarding food for winter was crucial to survival). Changing our economic system would not eliminate that desire.

One could respond to this by saying that people won't have things that I'll want, because we can all buy the same things. This is not completely true. For example, I could covet my neighbor's wife. Communism will not affect the "priceless" (or non-monetary) things we covet.

Answer 4

Well, with a family whose roots come out of a nation that had Marxian dogma shoved down its throat for better or worse, i would say - no.

As for the system not encouraging covetousness, i'm sorry to say that's just utter propaganda.

Actually, the suppsoed "lack of covetousness" officially only heightens the senses to possess what one can, and increase man's jealous nature.

During the Cultural Revolution for instance, families were persecuted for the littlest possessions, even a pair of glasses. Even before that rough time period, to own the littlest appliances was enough to get people to accuse of being a "Capitalist Roader."

What i'm trying to say is, if the ridding oneself of covetousness is a goal of Christianity (and Christians, please feel free to correct me on this) - adopting a Totalitarian "Top-Down" structure is not the way to do it.

Rectifying one's inner nature through meditation and contemplation is, at least for this Buddhist, a better answer than relying on a corrupt state apparatus.

Answer 5

Well, one of the critical flaws with communism is that it typically is also atheist. It discourages freedoms like we have in our bill of rights, especially freedom of religion. And all the examples we have of real-world communism show us that it really has nothing to do with "not coveting". It is all about coveting, trying to out-do other nations, and the leaders live in opulence while the masses eke out a poverty-stricken existence. While communism does have some redeeming qualities (having all things in common, living and working as a community rather than as self-interested individuals), these qualities are impossible to realize in the world we live in. It would take a very special group of people to realize the "utopia" that communism, in theory, promises.

Answer 6

As an atheist I'd use your own book. From my understanding of the myth, the new covenant superceded Mosaic Law. If I recall correctly, the hero of the story was heard to say Render unto Caeser the things that are Caeser's. Clearly, this would indicate if one believes in this religion, that the protaganist of the new testment would have advised you to deal with any governmental system you lived under. Therefore, I don't think anyone would have cared about capitalism or communism.

Answer 7

Correct, the logical conclusion of christian ideals is communism, or at least soicalism.

But, seeing as how every communist government is a massive failure, and most socialist ones seem to be goign downhill (although that is open to debate), the correct answer seems to be to remove religion from politics.

This is the way that america has choosen. Separation of church and state and all that. You can even find justification in the bible, "render ontu ceaser what is ceaser's".

Answer 8

Not really.
You can hit a sale with out coveting if it is something you need then go buy it

Also God is not agains the wealthy he is against putting wealth infront of God

You can be rich and still be a good christian.. its what youdo and how you do it that will show what kind of person you are.

Greed is a bad thing to be sure but if you do not do it with greed as a drving force I think youa re ok

Answer 9

Your understanding on the 10 commandments is cloudy to say the least. When you say covet, you use the word to mean trying to obtain something you want but that is not exactly what it means. Covetness is directly linked to Idolatry.....when you want something so bad that you put God on the backburner and disregard everyone else to get it that is a sin........besides if we decided to go the COmmunist route that would be one of the most idiotic mistakes in history........................look at the facts......Communism does NOT work in any situation whatsoever.

Answer 10

Communists are still covetous, they just don't have anything to covet because the ruling elite have it all, look to N. Korea, and the ex soviet union, China is doing well because they have allowed capitalism in their system. It's in our nature to be greedy, Jesus wants us to overcome those feelings and be generous to the poor, look at all the charities that people and organizations sponsor in the U.S.

Answer 11

The commandment to which you refer specifies Neighbor's property. In other words the implication is that you don't go kill your neighbor because he has more than you do. It also means you shouldn't be jealous because someone has more than you do. Since my employer isn't my neighbor per se...I have every right to ask for a raise. There is no sin in working hard and saving to get something you want or perceive a need for. The idea is that everything is theoretically available equally to everyone and that eliminates your argument. PEACE & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!