Communism: a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. (dictionary.com)
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:44-45
I was watching a video on the Internet. I had heard it before, that Communism comes from the bible. It wasn't a surprise to hear it again, but it kind of tugged at my heart. Actually, it made me flinch. Under Communism in the old USSR, priests were murdered. Religion was crushed or nearly so. Does that come from the bible?
But doesn't the above verse sound like it? I mean, sharing is good, right?
In Acts 2, the early church shared out of the goodness of their hearts. That was something God put there. God, who is eliminated in a Communist system. If we try to do this without God, it turns very sour, very quickly. It's like anything without God. Even religion without Him turns into legalism. Have you ever experienced legalism? For the love of God...
So is it biblical?
It is by force, by law, not from the heart. It makes a big difference. The bible is about the heart, willingly serving God. Not by force. You can't force someone to believe. Force robs us. We are meant to freely choose, to do this with our hearts.
So I have to disagree with the Internet today. You know, sometimes it is wrong.
I agree with you and can't imagine anyone comparing communism to religion. Wow.
ReplyDeleteHello, you can not always believe thing son the internet. The writing is only someone's opinion. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and week ahead.
ReplyDeleteSuch wisdom! You are absolutely right!! What a good post today.
ReplyDeleteTrue! You are true and the Bible is true. I once read this: "We are challenged to dedicate and devote our lives to the cause of Christ as the communists do to communism".
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debby. Hope you are having a good day.
DeletePerfect way of separating it. It needs to come from our free will and not from force.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that.
Deletedear Sandi it is not just about the religion you belong but it is all over .
ReplyDeleteso many things even here are created by false religious leaders which are never or nowhere mentioned in original book ,
such false leaders just to hold gangs of ignorants after them spread such nasty stuff
no religion nor God or whom i call simply our CREATOR impose anything upon anyone he just showed the all ways and left us here to make our own choices and get result and then realize what consequences we got from them
Thank you, Baili. There's a line in the Lord of the Rings books, "Above all else, men desire power." So sad...
DeleteHello Sandi!
ReplyDeleteCommunism is a horrible system. There is no democracy is repression.
Our current Government is going to do that. Violates the Constitution, does not allow you to organize protests.
My grandparents and Parents lived at the time when communism reigned in Poland.
Greetings from Poland.
Lucja
Your current government is going to do that? I am surprised to hear that...oh noooo....
DeleteThose who have lived under a communist regime would definitely tell you it is not biblical. As you said, when it is a forced rule of giving everything to your government, that is not what the Bible teaches. The early Christians willingly had everything in common and shared with one another for the sake of Christ and the furtherance of the Gospel. Without the love of Christ in the formation of the "community", there can be no peace or harmony.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Pamela.
DeleteI hadn't heard of Communism being described as a biblical principal. It is scary to see how concepts that were built to create a loving world can be turned to be used for manipulation and control which is what Communism was! We have a lot to pray about for our world!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandi! I agree with you completely. You know, recently, I’ve been reading about the Hutterite communities in North America. They also believe in sharing, although with some qualifications, and that they are carefully following biblical guidelines. There are disputes about whether or not they are forced to stay in the community they are (usually) born into. The interpretation of the bible, and how it is applied, is key in these communities and in political systems as well, such as communism. Sandi, I applaud you for your thought provoking posts! Thank you for sharing your blog and for your kind comments on mine. John
ReplyDeleteThat is really interesting about the Hutterites, John. I am inspired by people like that who live how they want no matter what tries to influence them from the outside. It's like being a really polite rebel! :)
DeleteI totally agree with you, Sandi, that we both disagree with the internet today. The thing about the Christians in Acts 2 is that the reason they lived the way they did was because of the severe persecution they were undergoing. No one else would have anything to do with them because of their following Jesus and so they all came together and shared what they had with other Christians.
ReplyDeleteI so appeciate your blog post today, my friend.
Thanks, Dianna!
DeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteWe shall love the LORD our God with all our Heart and with all our soul and with all our Might!!
Love to you Sandi!
Early Christians were a voluntary community based on faith which is a far cry from you will do this or die. Totally agree with you!
ReplyDeleteOi Sandi, bt!
ReplyDeleteEu também nunca ouvi ou li essa ligação do comunismo com religião.
Bjsss e ótimo FDS p/vcs
I totally agree with you!
ReplyDeleteForce robs us.
ReplyDeleteBut I do believe in positive force.
There is "Yin" on the other side of "Yang".
Thanks, Rain. Yin yang is a hard concept for me to embrace. I see it (maybe wrongly) as good and evil being equally matched. But to me good is stronger. You can light a candle in a dark room, but not darkness in a room of light.
DeleteUm texto muito interessante.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom Domingo.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Hi Sandi! The bible has been used for so much good, but then for so much evil too. Words and passages are twisted to fit whatever people want to think.
ReplyDeleteI agree that love is gone from Communism. I read about the horrid things done in the name of it in Asia. Starving farmers, a government that only is moved by gain and money. That's biblical? Give me a break.
Love your take here!
Ceil
I agree with you, Sandi! Not everything posted in the internet is true. Communism is not biblical.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy.
Deletepolitics and religion, 2 topics i try to stay away from. lot's of false news these days, in many areas of reporting!!
ReplyDelete;-)
DeleteDebbie, I think that is the wisest thing I have ever read on the Internet!
I had never stopped to ponder this topic and your post was so informative. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOf course the Internet is not always right. I should think 50% is doubtful.
ReplyDeleteCommunism as a philosophy was ‘invented’ so all men could be equal, so all worked towards the common good and no one went hungry. And then man got hold of it and it became just another battlefield where the most ruthless took power for themselves until it failed totally.
Some religion is like that too, don’t you think?
Yes! I am sorry say I would have to agree with that.
DeleteI think the biblical reading portrays the generous side of human nature, communism is the greedy few keeping the many poor under control. But then religion has persecuted people too. Human nature will forever be complex.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Polly. People desiring power over others...
DeleteDear Sandi - I have heard those words too before. You captured well the thought that what comes from the heart is not forced and God's love is what makes the difference. It is only when we receive His love and believe it that we are overjoyed to share with those who may not have as many blessings as us. Thank you for your insight friend. Hope you are having a delightful day. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Sandi. Well said...
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, the Bible is from the heart! Great insight today, thanks for sharing from your heart, Sandi!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue
Hi Sandi...thanks for stopping by my Ocala blog. We're about 25 miles north of The Villages but there are so many shopping areas, residential areas, etc., between the Ocala and The Villages that it feels like one large city. We visit The Villages often and have a blog featuring The Villages, although it's not too active at the moment: http://thevillagesdailyphoto.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Sandi. The internet is mostly filled with opinion and in this case, they are wrong. I would go so far to say that a lot of news that so-called journalists put forth is opinion, too. Or at the very least, slanted to promote their agenda. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Cheryl. I tried to describe this to someone recently. I told her we have no objective news media in our country. Everyone leans. You have to read the world itself if you want to know anything. :)
DeleteYou should do a 100 followers special!
ReplyDeleteS
Human beings are individualistic by nature. Sharing is possible up to a certain point (sharing of knowledge, for instance); beyond that point it becomes oppression of the individual. Communism is oppressive; in a way religion is oppressive too. My God is a spiritual entity, not a religious one.
ReplyDelete"My God is a spiritual entity, not a religious one."
DeleteWow, well-said!