Posted on 07/19/2009 8:24:21 AM PDT by newheart
"At the end of the twentieth century, as we look back over a seventy-year Socialist experiment and an equal period of capitalistic Western prosperity, one thing becomes clear. Economic freedom is not a superfluous footnote to to other freedoms, but a prerequisite to the existence of all other freedoms. Even liberal Sweden attests to this. As the years have gone by, Sweden's coercive Socialist economic policies have increasingly spilled over into other areas to the point that civil liberties of all kinds are threatened. Religious freedom, educational freedom, and the freedom to raise one's children according to one's own beliefs have in fact been lost to an extent that would shock an average American. Human planning and social engineering on a grand scale is a virus that will totally consume its host before the virus itself dies off.
The lesson of the twentieth century is that those whom we should fear most are those with the best intentions. Dictators coma and go, but utopian ideology grows more and more virulent and destructive. Capitalism is no better or worse than the citizens who employ it as a system of commerce. Socialism, on the other hand, is always worse as a system than the collective sum of its people. Human beings deserve better than the endless gray and dreary grindstone to which Socialistic systems harness people. Creativity, freedom, growth, beauty, and the use of ones' talents have a legitimate and crucial role, even in a fallen world."
The book is a series of essays that attempt to answer the question posed by the title. In the end, it may not be possible to give a definitive answer, but one thing is clear from history. Where responsible capitalism has flourished there has tended to be more personal freedom. And if we agree with the founders that 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' are inalienable rights granted to us by our Creator, then capitalism comes far closer than any of the various utopian ideologies to providing an environment in which those rights may be exercised.
Well The Bible clearly states...
He who does not work, neither shall he eat.
I think capitalism is good for Christianity and vice versa. Charitable donarions are given freely, willingly and voluntarily to help the poor. People with jobs go to church and when the collection plate is passed around give what they can. Charities and churches benefit the poor by providing them with food, clothing and other necessities for life and living. None of this would be possible if people did not have jobs and earned a living for themselves and their families.
Well if it is not, it is certainaly conservative
...and anyone else you think might be interested.
Cheers!
Visit here for a listing of his books.
Novak's own personal journey to his conclusions in "Democratic Capitalism" should be of interest also.
It is unchristian to be a burden on everyone else, steal their earnings, live like a pig, and then expect your fellow man to take care of you. Talk about un-Christian!
Of course, the complete title of Novak’s work is “The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism.” My initial abbreviation should have been corrected before posting. Sorry!!!
Capitalism is the naturally-generated economic system which develops within a free society. It’s not the brainchild of a Marx, Engels or Obama.
I think we can all draw our own conclusions from there.
Thanks for the ping!
Capitalism is NOT selfishness.
The question as it is posed infers it, because culture teaches us that capitalists ARE selfish people.
Culture also teaches us that belief in God is based on ignorance and narrow mindedness... that blind faith in an invisible God is only an excuse for lack of intelligence.
Put another way, this very question is really not a question at all... it is a statement that translates to “Christians are Selfish”
Capitalism if anything is simply an admission to the fact that all men are sinners who act in their own self interest.. and that it is impossible in this dispensation for society to purge man of his carnal tendencies.
Why use the word “Capitalism?” It was invented by Marx.
Isn’t there a better word for “the freedom of individiduals to keep their own property?”
Frederick Engels
Neither Christian or non Christian. Its an economic trade medium or method.
Actually the word 'capitalist' predates Marx by a half-century or so.
So I cling to my religion and my gun and my country. So what? I do those things out of love for them, not because I have to but because I want to.
Obama and the other followers of Liberation Theology believe that Jesus was a socialist and that the Apostle Paul was the greatest community organizer of all time.
As opposed to what?
Capitalism is not a “system” as leftists like to say. Capitalism is simply the manifestation of freedom — free people acting freely to better their lives but without infringing on the freedom and rights of others. Socialism IS a system. It’s a system of control where people are slaves to an elite ruling class.
Culture also teaches us that belief in God is based on ignorance and narrow mindedness... that blind faith in an invisible God is only an excuse for lack of intelligence.
Put another way, this very question is really not a question at all... it is a statement that translates to “Christians are Selfish”
I agree with you that our culture attempts to persuade us that capitalism is selfish and, therefore, evil. But it is a huge leap from that reality to the idea that the question infers that conclusion.
There is nothing at all in that question that infers that capitalists are selfish. The only way I could agree with you is if I were to define the word "Christian" as un-selfishness and I think that is completely wrong, not to mention a lapse in logic.
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