Communism has become a dirty word. After all, the USSR was communist...China is communist...Vietnam....
Words develop associations. Because of recent history people associate communism with the stupidity of Marx and the violence of the USSR...a violence that escalated to fear and loathing. And to be fair, the USSR version of communism was a heinous thing. The purges that started in 1917 and stopped...well, no tombstone erected, so we do not have a final date...those were horrible and horrifying things. Mass murder is always an ugly thing, although as Eddie Izzard pointed out, more respected than people who merely whack 5 or 10 people. Someday I shall have to explore my fascination with the word "whack" in relation to killing people. For now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
It is quite ironic the longest-lasting, best, most altruistic form of communism known to have existed took place right here in these United States. Didn't know that, I bet is true for many people. But it is indisputably true.
You see, that was the methodology of most Indian tribes when the Europeans arrived. Land was held in common. Usage of the neighbors horse (after the Spaniards introduced them) was commonplace within the village. Food was shared after the hunt.
Time out: Bumper sticker I observed today: "Vegetarian; Indian word for 'Bad hunter'"
Time in.
No concept of wealth or individual accumulation was generally had. Again and again the Chiefs taken east to see the great cities of the white eyes were stunned that one man would live in opulence while men in the street would be starving. The concept was so foreign that the example of Geronimo is typical.
Even though he was a prisoner of war, he was traveling with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Again and again he would return home broke because he had given his wages away to destitute white men. That would be the men of the race that drove him from his home, killed his family, kept him from going home, broke their treaty promises...but he had, they needed, he believed in taking care of all.
Communism as an action is a good thing. As a political belief it CAN be okay...although as practiced it was and is a terrible thing.
Be that as it may, at its root communism is a wonderful philosophy. Those who have share with those who have not. None holds more than he needs and none refuses his neighbor whatever he needs. Nothing is taken forcibly from anyone...instead, people are taught to *gasp* love and care for one another, to share good things with others and insulate others from disaster.
Now, I made a pretty bold statement in the preceding post. It is time to back that up. Well, it is time for bed, but FIRST I am going to back that up.
The Golden Rule is well know. "Love thy neighbor as thyself". Let's analyze this for...oh, I don't know, the three seconds it takes for this thought to occur. If I love my neighbor as much as I love me then I will not wish to have more than he has. No, I will want him to be cared for just as well if not better than I am. Amassing great wealth while he is cold or hungry makes no sense.
Ask yourself; does or does not Scripture teach "Bear one anothers burdens and thus fulfill the Law of Christ"? (Hint; read Glatians 6:2) Sounds quite individualistic, doesn't it? Or does it sound like sharing in the needs we encounter, whether physical or spiritual?
Similarly, the early church is reported to have gone their own way or to be "having all things in common"? Was each person expected to fend for themselves or when a church was in trouble, was "the collection for the saints in..." taken?
Communism as practiced by the Native Americans is far superior to individualism as practiced by selfish, evil men everywhere. This is not complete, but I am tired. Guess who wins that argument? Depending on reaction, maybe more tomorrow.
Ghandi is reputed to have said something along the lines of "I would become a Christian if not for the Christians."
4 years ago
1 comment:
There is a huge gaping hole in your statement though. Communism as an institution has never and never will work. As a philosophy (which is an odd word for describing one's outlook on life...) it can and has in many places. But in a society where communism is enforced, you must have enforcers. Enforcers inevitably see themselves as greater than those they enforce. There was another example of communism in America. At Jamestown. It nearly killed all of the settlers and did kill many of them. They then instituted a form of capitilism and that (I believe with assistance from the indians, although I may be confusing instances) allowed them to survive the winter and prosper. In the end, when you start forcing people to give up what they have worked for, it's legalized theft. Christianity never advocated that. Instead it places on the individual the responsibility to give as they see need. Robin Hood is a very popular story for it's feel good nature of robbing from the rich to give to the poor. But it is still theft, even if you are stealing from evil men. I hope my rambling makes sense. Enjoy.
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