Christian communism

Christian communism is a form of religious communism centered around Christianity. It is a theological and political theory based upon the view that the teachings of Jesus Christ compel Christians to support communism as the ideal social system. Although there is no universal agreement on the exact date when Christian communism was founded, many Christian communists assert that Biblical evidence (see brief history below) suggests that the first Christians, including the Apostles, created their own small communist society in the years following Jesus' death and resurrection. As such, many advocates of Christian communism argue that it was taught by Jesus and practiced by the Apostles themselves; a point highly debated among other Christians (see controversy below).

Christian communism can be seen as an intermediate form between Christian socialism (which is more moderate) and Christian anarchism (which is more radical). Christian communists may or may not agree with various parts of Marxism. They certainly do not agree with the atheist views of most Marxists, but they do agree with some of the economic aspects of Marxist theory, such as the idea that capitalism exploits the working class by extracting surplus value from the workers in the form of profits. Christian communists also share some of the political goals of Marxists, for example replacing capitalism with socialism, which should in turn be followed by communism at a later point in the future. However, Christian communists sometimes disagree with Marxists (and particularly with Leninists) on the way a socialist or communist society should be organized. In general, Christian communism evolved independently of Marxism, and most Christian communists share the conclusions but not the underlying premises of Marxist communists.

Brief History

In general, the history of communism can be divided into two periods: early and contemporary communism. In the early communism period, it has been pointed out that communism may have played a major role in everyday Christianity, in contrast to today. In contemporary communism, a majority of the movement has abandoned Christianity and all religion in general.

Early Christian communism

Christian communists trace the origins of their practice to the New Testament book Acts of the Apostles at chapter 2 and verses 44 and 45:

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (King James Version)

The theme is reiterated in Acts 4:32-37:

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

(King James Version)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In the 1800s the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, colloquially called Mormons, practiced a voluntary form of Christian communism. Under Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, the United Order was established in an attempt to equalize income, eradicate poverty, and create an ideal utopian society Mormons referred to as Zion. In general, Mormons believe that the United Order will again be established in the future and members of the Church will be encouraged to practice it, voluntarily.

True Levellers

In the 1600s the True Levellers, followers of Gerrard Winstanley, believed in the concept of "levelling mens' estates" in order to create equality. They also took over common land for what they believed to be the common good.

Contemporary Christian communism

Due to the lack of organization in the movement, contemporary Christian communism is difficult to date, it likely began sometime after contemporary communism was defined by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the mid to late 1840's. To date the movement beyond this is nearly impossible, because of communist leaders general aversion to religion, such as Marx, Vladmir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, and Kim Jong-il. From this it can be argued that Christian communism is a minor branch of the communist movement, lacking any substantial organization. Noteworthy of this is the lack of a central figure to promote the movement, and the movement's inability to successfully participate in national politics or to form a major faction within communism. Perhaps one present-day exception to this statement could be Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela. Chavez is a major political figure that most closely approximates the contemporary Christian communist. Although Venezuela is not officially a communist country and Chavez may not be considered an ideal communist, Chavez does espouse many communist philosophies, he is a self-proclaimed Christian, and he is fervently building up friendly relations between his country and known communist governments, such as Castro's communist Cuba and Kim Jong-il's communist North Korea.

Although most communists are atheists, Christian communists stand apart from the counterparts in this and many other areas. Christian communists vehemently oppose the tyranny of some communists such as Stalin, Mao, and Castro and view the acts of these regimes as violations of human rights.

Christian communists

Thomas J. Haggerty

Thomas J. Haggerty was a Catholic priest from New Mexico, USA, and one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Haggerty is credited with authoring the IWW Preamble, assisting in writing the Industrial Union Manifesto and drawing up the first chart of industrial organization. He became a Marxist before his ordination in 1892 and was later influenced by anarcho-syndicalism. Haggerty's formal association with the church ended when he was suspended by his archbishop for urging miners in Colorado to revolt during his tour of mining camps in 1903.

Controversy

Communism or Communalism

A number of Christians, of various political persuasions, object to the use of the word communism in the term "Christian communism" due to that word's association with the governments of nations such as the Soviet Union, Cuba, China, North Korea and other countries often known as "communist states". Christian communists believe that it is necessary to employ the word in order to capture the essence of their philosophy, and by excluding it, the movement would further obscure the existence of significant communist opposition to the totalitarian "communist states" of the 20th century, such as for example, Trotskyism. Thus, Christian communists argue that the term 'Christian communism' may be appropriate as long as it is specified that they belong to the democratic, anti-Stalinist branch of communism. Some Christians, on the other hand, assert that Christianity has very little in common with the communism practiced in said countries due to the tendency of leaders such as Mao Zedong and Josef Stalin to employ un-Christian tactics to achieve political ends: violent revolutions, the creation of a cult of personality, orchestrated mass murder, state-sanctioned atheism, and the abolishment of many personal freedoms. As such, many Christians argue that the title of Christian communalism should be used, rather than Christian communism.

Atheism and communism

Contemporary communism is widely viewed as atheistic by most of the world. Due to the atheism and anti-religious stances displayed by many contemporary communists and communist leaders, this view is still held by an overwhelming number of people. For this reason, many Christians view communism and Christianity as incompatible or mutually exclusive. Christian communists oppose atheism, thereby parting with Marxism and traditional contemporary communist philosophy, yet believe in the freedom of religion, as do most Christians.

Free will

While some Christians interpret the Bible as advocating that the ideal form of society is communism, other Christians counter by maintaining that the establishment of a large-scale communist system would infringe on people's free will by denying them the freedom to make decisions for themselves. They assert that free will should never be infringed upon - except for cases where punishment is necessary in response to individuals disregarding the free will of other individuals - thereby allowing individuals to choose between good and evil for themselves and define their own destinies. Christian communists, however, reply that this argument is inconsistent: if there should be no restrictions on the human exercise of free will, and if no one should be denied the freedom to sin, then all crimes, heinous or not, should be legalized. Indeed, any law restricts freedom to some degree, and some important sins - murder, theft, rape - are illegal in the vast majority of countries. Christian communists logically extend this argument in support of empowering a government or a community to control some aspects of society that are left uncontrolled in capitalism (e.g. most economic relations). Therefore, one important controversy between Christian communists and their Christian opponents lies in defining the extent and necessity of free will.

Government

Communism, as such, implies not only the abolition of social classes and private property, but the state as well. Christian communists, like all communists, do not wish to abolish the state in the near future; rather, they seek to abate it gradually over a long period of time. Nevertheless, the fact that they do support the eventual dissolution of government has drawn criticism from other Christians who attribute an intrinsic, hierarchical government to the kingdom of God. Most notably, Biblical prophecy in the Book of Isaiah 9:6-7 holds that the Second Coming of Jesus will result in the creation of a government by God on Earth:

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (King James Version)

One Christian communist reply is that a government by God is fundamentally different from a government by human beings, and that they oppose the latter but not the former. Some Christian communists argue that the Second Coming will render all human politics irrelevant, and therefore their political goals - including the creation of a communist society and the abolition of government - only apply to the period of time left before the Second Coming. Others believe that the utopian society established by Jesus after the Second Coming will practice many, but not all, of the features of communism.

Establishing Christian communism

Finally, there is the question of how a communist society should be actually achieved. While most secular communists advocate a form of revolution, Christian communists almost universally insist on nonviolent means, such as passive resistance or winning elections. Regarding the issue of the nationalization of the means of production, which is seen by some Christians as theft and an infringement of free will, Christian communists argue that capitalism itself is a form of institutionalized theft in the manner that capitalist owners exploit their workers by not paying them the full value of their labor.

Not all Christian communists seek to achieve large-scale social change, however. Some believe that, rather than attempting to transform the politics and economics of an entire country, Christians should instead establish communism at a local or regional level only.

See also

• Gerrard Winstanley
• Diggers (True Levellers)
• Christian left
• Christian politics (index)
• Christian socialism
• Christian anarchism
• Shakers