two lists
Things in which I am interested:
• In-depth discussion of theological concepts
• Questioning the “fundamental” tenets of Christianity (but not with the implicit precept being that in the end we’ll all discover what we believe was Right All Along)
• Entertaining the thought that maybe there is not just one “right” way to practice Christianity
Things in which I am not interested:
• The same old religion repackaged in a fancier way, either with orgiastic worship or lots of ancient rituals and shit
• Pithy responses to serious questions (”Just trust in Jesus.” “God will win in the end.”)
• Christianity that agrees with political and economic conservatism
Tonight I had a discussion with a man who believes that our society is built around Christian concepts and believes, in terms of the legal system and such. I said no freakin’ way. We live in a capitalist society, and capitalism requires inequality and explotation to function. Inequality and exploitation are completely in opposition to the teachings of Christ. Capitalists say that the market can provide for all, but obviously that doesn’t happen. Our society is built around our economy, and the economy is not Christian in its values. Yes, philanthropy and humanitarianism is valued in our Western culture by Christians and others alike, but no amount of philanthropy that is currently done is enough to balance the inequalities, and certainly is not enough to prevent those inequalities from occuring in the first place.
But then again I am a young woman and he is a middle-aged man; both of our positions in life cause us to lean towards leftism and conservatism, respectively. And don’t get me wrong, I love this man. He is a wonderful person and a valued member of my faith community. He also works in upper management at a bank. (Heh, I feel like right-wingers who say, “Some of my friends are homosexual.” Now I can say, “Some of my friends are conservative capitalists!” And he is a really great guy, you’d love him.)
January 9th, 2006 at 10:51 am
i always thought it was funny when people lifted up north american culture and socio-economic systems as “the christian way.” i love to tell people that i am teaching that the only truly biblical form of government is deocratic socialism where God is above and all others equal. the usual response is “commie!”
cracks me up every time.
January 9th, 2006 at 11:03 am
Ha! So true. (This reminds me of a particular issue of The Manifesto *cough* from years ago…)
Also, the “c” word was uttered by my capitalist friend yesterday. Good thing I love the word commie and find it amusing to apply it to myself and many of my friends.
January 9th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Hi Jenny! First time visitor.
I discovered your site via link from your latest comment at STP. I like your blog and have already sent the link to my wife, Deea.
Later!
January 9th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Hey, good to meet you, James. Thanks for reading!
January 10th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
James… STP is a Motor Oil… but that’s OK. Glad you made to Jenny’s site anyway….
I am going to link to Jenny over at our site because my readers need some education… myself being chief amongst them.
Why go to college when I can come over here and learn from you Jenny? Geesh I wasted a lot of time and money.
Do you mind if I link to you Jenny…. oh and would you email me please… I couldn’t find a link to email to you on your site… Thanks!
Steve
steve@stupidchurchpeople.com
January 10th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Hey, you are pretty smart. For a chick. And a Canadian.
Anyway, it would be fair to say that there is nothing inherently Christian about capitalism, but I don’t think that it’s fair to say as you did that “capitalism requires inequality and exploitation to function.” That’s a pretty Marxist perspective (as expressed in that assertion at least) and just plain incorrect. You can say that unrestrained capitalism results in a considerable amount of inequality and exploitation, but it doesn’t require those things to function as a sustainable system. It would be perfectly acceptable for Christ-minded believers to engage in free-enterprise transacting; there is nothing in Jesus’ teachings that says we should practice socialism in all of our dealings.
My thinking is, practice principled free enterprise on the job (make your tents and sell them, in other words), and practice the kind of loving, charitable living with the income you derive and you will be living as Jesus would have you live.
But just to be clear, evangelicals who think that God ordained capitalism as the highest economic system for man are full of shite.
January 10th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Zeke:
That’s a pretty Marxist perspective…
That it is.
…and just plain incorrect. You can say that unrestrained capitalism results in a considerable amount of inequality and exploitation, but it doesn’t require those things to function as a sustainable system.
I think that’s a matter of perspective, but I will concede that in theory, capitalism could work better than it does in practice. Like most theories.
My thinking is, practice principled free enterprise on the job (make your tents and sell them, in other words), and practice the kind of loving, charitable living with the income you derive and you will be living as Jesus would have you live.
I, too, think that’s the best option we have.
January 11th, 2006 at 9:15 am
(Heh, I feel like right-wingers who say, “Some of my friends are homosexual.” Now I can say, “Some of my friends are conservative capitalists!” And he is a really great guy, you’d love him.)
I never cease to be amused that so many churches are squeamish about homosexuals in their congregations, yet have no problem with bankers. The Bible condemns usury and even calls it an abomination. Where’s the “God hates bankers” movement?