I don’t see many “conservative Christians” discuss this topic, but frequently in the Bible there are calls for people to care for the poor, like the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), where the rich man was condemned for having the means to help Lazarus who was poor and in need and did not do so.

Therefore, “naturally” or “supernaturally”, God allows or makes people to be rich and poor which is unequal, and urges the richer to help the poorer, which makes them “more economically equal” (no?). Hence is it not a goal of “conservative Christians” to promote some kind of “economic equality” where all are able to be able to meet their needs? For the rich to voluntarily become poorer, and for the poor to become richer, or for all to have a certain amount of needs met, whether through their own earning or charitable aid?

An attempt at “absolute economic equality” would seem to be impossible or undesireable (hence I think of such economic equality as “relative”; there can still be richer or poorer, but is there a desire for trying to eliminate extremes on either end?).

So are “conservative Christians” for “economic equality”, or what do you think of this topic and issue?

  • LovstuhagenEnglish
    3·
    8 months ago

    There is the line in the Bible as well that those who do not work, shall not eat. But surely it is the case that the thrust is towards alleviating intense poverty, which was much more of a pressing issue prior to industrialization.

    Personally, I want people to think whatever they want concerning economics - the theology can be interpreted in a variety of ways concerning what should be done, and it does not need to have bearing on the political world.

    So are “conservative Christians” for “economic equality”, or what do you think of this topic and issue?

    Let there be super Capitalist “no wealth redistribution” conservaties and their opposites, IMO.

    I do not want to cut anyone of any political background out of Christianity.

    • airrowOPEnglish
      3·
      8 months ago

      I think I might find fault with certain views on economics from a “Christian view”, but I do agree with allowing for a “broad tent” - sometimes there isn’t (at least in my understanding) “one absolute Christian political view” that everyone must have. Maybe certain communities strive with stricter rules while another works better with more lax rules, and both can be “Christian”. I think some arrangements might not be ok (like Catholics have condemned Communism, and probably orthodox too I’m guessing? Both for the disregard for personal property, and for being anti-religious inherently).

      • LovstuhagenEnglish
        2·
        8 months ago

        I did not get the whole story on the Orthodox situation with Communists - but what I remember is that some meeting was held and it failed to be ratified that Communism is incapable of being reconciled with Orthodoxy.

        And that’s OK… Because I have grown toa gree with that: since it is possible for someone to reject the bad parts of Communism, it is possible to be Communist and Orthodox.

        There are even people who do that.

        • airrowOPEnglish
          3·
          8 months ago

          I could see stripping Communism of its offensive parts, but then it wouldn’t be communism. I know a pope issued the Decree against communism - https://infogalactic.com/info/Decree_against_Communism

          The Decree Against Communism was a 1949 Catholic Church document issued by the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, and approved by Pope Pius XII, which declared Catholics who professed Communist doctrine to be excommunicated as apostates from the Christian faith.

          I think a main issue is the philosophy itself is atheistic materialism. The other problem I was thinking about while posting is that Communism’s attempt to abolish property, almost is like “universal theft” or makes it impossible to steal… this seems fundamentally against the basic Ten Commandments.

          So I don’t know what it would look like but there is probably some left-wing leaning philosophy that Catholics would still be ok with, but I think they would oppose Communism itself for some of the aforementioned reasons