[Conservative til I die]

Socialism is evil. It is the opposite of Christian charity. It turns productive citizens into slaves, and unproductive citizens into domestic animals.

To the extent that Church leaders encourage "society" or "the state" to take over the duties of individuals, families, churches, and private organizations, they are not on the side of God but of Marx.

("Government is not God" ping, y'all)

Conversely, capitalism in its purest form is pretty evil too. Well, actually, all systems, economic, political, or otherwise are flawed and evil to some extent. That's why it's important for a Christian (Catholic, Orthodox, or otherwise) to consider themselves a Christian first, a citizen second, and a party memeber third.

[Tax-chick]

Conversely, capitalism in its purest form is pretty evil too.

I disagree. Capitalism, or let us say, "a free-market economy" is based on the majority of people's making free decisions regarding economic ends and means. Because people are limited in their knowledge and often flawed in their intentions, there is indeed scope for evil. However, the system is not, in itself, based upon immoral premises, as socialism is.

Socialism, as I observed in my earlier post, ultimately removes from people even the opportunity to act out of genuine Christian charity toward their neighbors.