The idea that the tenets of Socialism parallel those of Christianity is widespread and sadly I think will never be suppressed by rational discussion. The argument is clearly a non-starter because although Christ clearly entreated us to give our money to the poor, as far as I know, he did not tell us to give other people's money to the poor. Of course the empirical evidence clearly shows that socialism doesn't help the poor, it just makes more of them; but that is another issue.
Nevertheless, socialists familiar with the Bible might cite Acts II and/or Acts IV as support for such a point of view. Herein an essentially communist society of adherents to the faith in those very early days is glowingly described. Of course the members of this group voluntarily subjected themselves to this system which is an important distinction from our present (and past) more worldly "people's republics".
Frederich Hayek in his brilliant book, "The Road to Serfdom" explains how socialist systems, no matter how well-meaning , inevitably lead to tyranny. In order to "work" such systems must limit freedom and suppress individuality, ruthlessly.
Which brings us to poor Ananias. It is alleged that Ananias held back. He sold his land and donated the proceeds to the greater good of the group. This type of thing it seems was socially mandated in this community. However it is said, that Ananias held back a bit of the sale price for himself. Saint Peter (somehow) picked up on this and called Ananias out. As a result Ananias was struck dead!
Peter quickly points out that this was God's response to a lie. Well maybe, but this seems a little harsh. Of course the judgement that really mattered to Ananias was the one the came in the next world, not this one. For all we know Ananias may have (otherwise) been a very good fellow. Hopefully he received mercy during his second judgement.
Peter was unquestionably a saint worthy of the name. However he was not perfect as he himself learned when the cock crowed. Is it possible that St. Peter under-estimated his part in Ananias' sad worldly end? Attributing it all to God makes one wonder whether Peter was talking about God as we understood Him in the Old Testament or the One we believe was revealed in the New Testament.
However leaving some of these weighty questions behind, it is interesting that even in the most Christian communist society non-adherence to the norm of behavior was punishable by death.
Perhaps this is a less than fair comparison. Presumably had Ananias turned and walked out the door without trying to perpetrate a falsehood, he would not have been shot in the back. Many a poor soul trying to escape a socialist "paradise" has not been so lucky.
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The idea that the tenets of Socialism parallel those of Christianity is widespread and sadly I think will never be suppressed by rational discussion. The argument is clearly a non-starter because although Christ clearly entreated us to give our money to the poor, as far as I know, he did not tell us to give other people's money to the poor. Of course the empirical evidence clearly shows that socialism doesn't help the poor, it just makes more of them; but that is another issue.
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Socialism is where the workers control the means of production. What you are thinking of is social democracy.
Capitalism can not exist without poverty, so to solve poverty you must destroy it not work within it.
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