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Christian socialism

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Religious philosophy is philosophical thinking that is influenced and directed as a consequence of teachings from a particular religion . It can be done objectively, but it may also be done as a persuasion tool by believers in that faith . Religious philosophy is concerned with the nature of religion, theories of salvation , and conceptions of god , gods, and/or the divine.

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96-494: Christian socialism is a religious and political philosophy that blends Christianity and socialism , endorsing socialist economics on the basis of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus . Many Christian socialists believe capitalism to be idolatrous and rooted in the sin of greed . Christian socialists identify the cause of social inequality to be the greed that they associate with capitalism. Christian socialism became

192-718: A neo-Thomistic sociologist and Catholic social theorist, when distinguishing between the conservative and Christian democratic views on labour issues, used Christian Socialists for the latter; most Christian democrats avoid using socialism , which is occasionally mainly used by conservatives who attempt to discredit their Christian democratic opponents by using a word with Marxist connotations. Christian democratic parties under various names were formed in Europe and Latin America after World War II. Some, such as in Germany and Italy, became

288-559: A theocracy , rather than a monarchy , although God is most commonly portrayed like a king. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses was the leader of early Israel out of Egypt ; and traditionally the first five books of the Hebrew Bible are attributed to him, though most modern scholars believe there were multiple authors. The law attributed to Moses, specifically the laws set out in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy , as

384-1001: A vegetarian diet is adhered to by individuals who follow Buddhism, Hinduism, Seventh-day Adventist. The emphasis on sanctity of all life in the ethical doctrine known as ahimsa (non-injury to living beings) in Buddhist and Hindu philosophies encompass human as well as animal life, and influence this vegetarian tradition, with modern influence including the concept of reincarnation . Fasting of various forms (exclusion of specific foods or food groups, or exclusion of food for certain periods of time) are undertaken by individuals who follow philosophies of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eastern Orthodox, Islam, Roman Catholicism. Some religions require for food to be invoked in God's name. For example, in Islam, meat must be from properly slaughtered 'clean' animals, known as halal , although it

480-634: A consequence came to be considered supreme over all other sources of authority (any king and/or his officials), and the Levites were the guardians and interpreters of the law. The Book of Deuteronomy ( Deuteronomy 31:24–26 ) records Moses saying, "Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the Ark of the Covenant of the L ORD ." Similar passages referring to the Law include, for example, Exodus 17:14, "And

576-522: A desire to find and maintain a balance between populations and their resources. Therefore, due to these philosophies, population management were of national interests observed in China's 'one child' policy . However, abortion is not encouraged as it would 'corrupt the body and would wrongly negate the body's capacity to give life'. Each religion also has unique philosophies that distinguish them from other religions, and these philosophies are guided through

672-515: A joint declaration in 1990, promoting the action as an act of Christian love. Jewish philosophies hold great importance on the intact burial of the deceased persons due to halakhic foundations. However, much like Islam, altruism in the form of saving a life, known as pikuach nefesh in Jewish law, overrides all other commandments and prohibition; Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves

768-460: A life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world. (Babylonian Talmud , tractate Sanhedrin 37a) Organ donation is endorsed by most Jewish scholars. Jewish philosophies in Rabbinical works generally condemn abortion , foeticide , or infanticide as it is viewed as an immoral action on human life. However, 'abortion appears as an option for Jewish women from the earliest sources of

864-535: A linguistic format that allows for ease of transmission. Reflective philosophies are thought to contribute significantly to the continuation of cultural and religious beliefs. Such religious philosophies include karma , divine immanent justice, or providence, and also encompass theological concepts such as Trinity in Christianity or Brahman in Hinduism. Religious philosophy is predominantly concerned with

960-667: A major movement in the United Kingdom beginning in the 19th century. The Christian Socialist Movement, known as Christians on the Left since 2013, is one formal group, as well as a faction of the Labour Party . According to the Encyclopædia Britannica , socialism is a "social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. According to

1056-694: A major political force. Liberation theology is a synthesis of Christian theology and socio-economic analyses that emphasizes "social concern for the poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples", as well as "the oppressed and maimed and blind and lame", and bring the "good news to the poor". Beginning in the 1960s after the Second Vatican Council , it became the political praxis of Latin American liberation theologians , such as Gustavo Gutiérrez , Leonardo Boff , and Jesuits like Juan Luis Segundo and Jon Sobrino , who popularized

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1152-634: A schism prior to the events described in the New Testament. This schism led to interethnic and interreligious conflict between the two groups. Luke 6:20–21 shows Jesus narrating the Sermon on the Plain . It reads: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied." Christian socialists cite James the Just , the brother of Jesus, who criticizes

1248-837: A shortcoming in Descartes' proposal, which did not address the coherence of a supremely perfect being. Leibniz reasoned that perfections are compatible as they are unable to be analysed, and therefore are able to exist in a single entity, thereby validating Descartes argument. More recently, individuals such as Kurt Gödel , Charles Hartshorne , Norman Malcolm , and Alvin Plantinga have proposed ontological arguments, many of which elaborate on or are connected to older ontological arguments presented by individuals such as St. Anselm, Descartes, and Leibniz. For example, Kurt Godel (1905–1978) used modal logic to elaborate and clarify Leibniz's version of Saint Anselm of Canterbury's ontological proof of

1344-417: A thief. And one who might clothe the naked and does not—should not he be given the same name? The bread in your hoard belongs to the hungry; the cloak in your wardrobe belongs to the naked; the shoes you let rot belong to the barefoot; the money in your vaults belongs to the destitute. All you might help and do not—to all these you are doing wrong." John Chrysostom declared his reasons for his attitude towards

1440-581: Is a 'being than which no greater can be conceived'. Thomas Aquinas ( c.  1225 –1274) extracted components of philosophical teaching relevant to Christianity, using philosophy as a means to demonstrate God's existence. In his work Summa Theologica , Aquinas presents five arguments for the existence of God, known as ' quinque viae ' or 'five ways'. In the 17th century, René Descartes (1596–1650) proposed similar arguments to those of Saint Anselm of Canterbury. For example, in his work Fifth Meditation , he provides an ontological argument based on

1536-431: Is a divine, sacred gift, with Allah deciding how long each individual will live. The moment of death, known as ajal , cannot be hastened by any form of passive or active voluntary intervention (e.g. in the form of euthanasia) as this is completely under the control of Allah. Only Allah has the absolute authority and ability to give life as well as take it away. Islamic philosophies emphasise that life does not belong to

1632-458: Is charitable with it, then be it [counted as] his atonement. And whoever governs not by what God has sent down: they are those [who are] the wrong-doers. And We followed up upon their footsteps Jesus the son of Mary verifying what was before him of the Law. And We gave him the Gospel ("Evangel"), wherein was guidance and light, verifying what was before him of the Law, a guidance and an admonition for

1728-705: Is exalted in honour. Amos emphasizes the need for justice and righteousness that is described as conduct that emphasizes love for those who are poor and to oppose oppression and injustice towards the poor. The prophet Isaiah , to whom is attributed the first thirty-nine chapters of the Book of Isaiah known as Proto-Isaiah, followed upon Amos' themes of justice and righteousness involving the poor as necessary for followers of God, denouncing those who do not do these things. Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. ... [C]ease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend

1824-508: Is forbidden to consume scavenger animals. The religious philosophical purpose behind Islamic dietary laws derived from the commandments of Allah (Quran and Sunnah of Muhammad) is the concept of purity, where Muslims consume what is considered pure and clean to be pure both in a physical and spiritual sense. Another example includes Jewish Kosher laws, where individuals must observe kosher food laws derived from Torah and Mishnah religious scripture texts. Consideration of euthanasia

1920-637: Is influenced by an individual's religious philosophy. Much of the opposition towards legislation of euthanasia is due to religious beliefs. Individuals who express a belief in God as an entity who controls destiny were more opposed to legalisation of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide . For example, religions such as Christian Science, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hinduism, Islam, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh-day Adventist generally do not allow for or practice euthanasia. Many religions hold philosophical value toward life of all forms and are thus completely against abortion. However abortion

2016-584: Is no universal agreement on the exact date when Christian communism was founded, Christian communists say that evidence from the Bible suggests that the first Christians, including the Apostles in the New Testament as described in the Acts, established their own communist society in the years following Jesus' death and resurrection. Advocates of Christian communism, including other communists, such as Karl Marx , Friedrich Engels , and Karl Kautsky , argue that it

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2112-538: Is opposed to religion ... when the organised Socialist working class tramples upon the Capitalist Class it will not be trampling on a pillar of God's Church but upon a blasphemous defiler of the Sanctuary, it will be rescuing the faith from the impious vermin who make it noisome to the really religious men and women." In France, Philippe Buchez began to characterize his philosophy as Christian socialism in

2208-701: Is tolerated in specific cases, such as rape or when the mother's life is in danger. Religious philosophy influences many aspects of an individual's conception and outlook on life. For example, empirical studies concentrating on the philosophical concept of spirituality at or near the end of life, conducted in India, found that individuals who follow Indian philosophical concepts are influenced by these concepts in their 'perception of spirituality'. Considerations concerning medical care , death , diet, and pregnancy differ among followers of various religions due to their respective philosophies. Islamic philosophies forbid

2304-907: The Oxford English Dictionary ), and Francis Bellamy (a Baptist minister and the author of the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States). Elements that would form the basis of Christian socialism are found in the Old Testament , as well as the New Testaments . They include Deuteronomy 15:1–5 , Ezekiel 18:7 , Isaiah 58:2–7 , James 2:14 , James 5:1–6 , Job 31:16–25, 28 , John 11:10–11 , Leviticus 25: 35–38 , Luke 4:18 , Matthew 6:24 , Matthew 19:23–24 , Matthew 25:40–46 , Proverbs 28:3–28 , and Proverbs 31:9 . The Old Testament had divided perspectives on

2400-465: The 613 commandments . The law given to Moses at Sinai (Hebrew Halakhah le-Moshe mi-Sinai הלכה למשה מסיני) is a halakhic distinction. Rabbinic Judaism asserts that Moses presented the laws to the Jewish people, and that the laws do not apply to Gentiles (including Christians), with the exception of the Seven Laws of Noah , which (it teaches) apply to all people. Orthodox Christians regard

2496-495: The Bible in regard to organ donation, particularly; Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8) Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Most Christian scholar sanction organ transplantation as it is deemed an act of selflessness, with the Catholic and Protestant Church endorsing organ donation in

2592-762: The Bloomsbury Group and were important in the early history of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom . Founded by Vida Dutton Scudder in 1911, herself influenced by the Fabian Society, the Episcopal Church Socialist League and its successor, the Church League for Industrial Democracy, sought to ally Christian doctrine with the plight of the working class as a part of the larger social gospel movement that

2688-737: The English Civil War and the period of the Commonwealth of England (1642–1660), the Diggers espoused a political and economic theory rooted in Christianity that bears a strong resemblance to modern socialism, particularly its anarchist and communist strains. Some scholars believe the Munster Rebellion may have formed an early socialist state. In "Religion and the Rise of Socialism", historian Eric Hobsbawn argued that

2784-597: The Hebrew Bible , a further 7 times in the New Testament , and repeatedly in Second Temple period , intertestamental , rabbinical and patristic literature. The Hebrew word for the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, Torah (which means "law" and was translated into Greek as "nomos" or "Law") refers to the same five books termed in English "Pentateuch" (from Latinised Greek "five books", implying

2880-503: The Hutterites are found in the book of the Acts . All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought

2976-531: The Psalms include many references to social justice for the poor. Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! ... He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn

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3072-682: The Sermon on the Mount . Tolstoy takes the Christian pacifist viewpoint that all governments who wage war, and churches who in turn support those governments, are an affront to the Christian principles of nonviolence and nonresistance . Although Tolstoy never used Christian anarchism in The Kingdom of God Is Within You , reviews of this book following its publication in 1894 appear to have coined

3168-481: The early church in Jerusalem "[n]o one claimed that any of their possessions was their own"; this pattern, which helped Christians survive after the siege of Jerusalem , was taken seriously for several centuries, and was an important factor in the rise of feudalism . While it would later disappear from church history except within monasticism , it experienced a revival since the 19th century. Christian socialism

3264-692: The "Book of the Law of Moses" is found in Joshua 8:30–31 . The content of the Law is spread among the books of Exodus , Leviticus , and Numbers , and then reiterated and added to in Deuteronomy . This includes: The content of the instructions and its interpretations, the Oral Torah, was passed down orally, excerpted and codified in Rabbinical Judaism , and in the Talmud were numbered as

3360-508: The "Teachings of Moses" ) is a biblical term first found in the Book of Joshua 8:31–32 , where Joshua writes the Hebrew words of "Torat Moshe תֹּורַת מֹשֶׁה ‎" on an altar of stones at Mount Ebal . The text continues: And afterward he read all the words of the teachings, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the Torah. The term occurs 15 times in

3456-451: The "modern working-class socialist movement has developed an overwhelmingly secular, indeed often militantly anti-religious ideology." At the same time, he and other historians cited examples where this was not the case, particularly Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries, where E. P. Thompson and Stephen Yo said a form of ethical socialism dominated the labour movement . A prominent example of Christian socialism, or socialist Christianity,

3552-416: The 1820s and 1830s. A variety of socialist perspectives emerged in 19th-century Britain, beginning with John Ruskin . Edward R. Norman identifies what he describes as the three "immediate intellectual sources" for mid-century Christian socialism: Samuel Taylor Coleridge , Thomas Carlyle , and Thomas Arnold . The United States also has a Christian socialist tradition. In Utah, it developed and flourished in

3648-883: The 1970s, emphasizing evangelism and social responsibility . Theologies of liberation have developed in other parts of the world, such as black theology in the United States and South Africa, Palestinian liberation theology , Dalit theology in India, and Minjung theology in South Korea. Communism and socialism have been condemned by Pope Pius IX , Pope Leo XIII , Pope Pius X , Pope Benedict XV , Pope Pius XI , Pope Pius XII , Pope John XXIII , Pope Paul VI , and Pope John Paul II . Many of these popes, Leo XIII and Pius XI in particular, have also condemned unregulated capitalism. Pope Benedict XVI condemned both ideologies, while distinguishing them from democratic socialism , which he praised. The views of Pope Francis on

3744-462: The 19th-century writers F. D. Maurice ( The Kingdom of Christ , 1838), John Malcolm Forbes Ludlow ( The Christian Socialist , 1850), Adin Ballou ( Practical Christian Socialism , 1854), Thomas Hughes ( Tom Brown's School Days , 1857), John Ruskin ( Unto This Last , 1862), Charles Kingsley ( The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby , 1863), Frederick James Furnivall (co-creator of

3840-643: The American West, were fierce advocates for the miners laboring in the Mountain states . The influential Victorian era art critic John Ruskin expounded theories about social justice in Unto This Last (1860). In it, he stated four goals that might be called socialist even though Ruskin did not use the term. Although Norman says Ruskin was not "an authentic Socialist in any of its various nineteenth-century meanings", as his only real contact with

3936-591: The Bible and Mishnaic commentary', where the Talmud indicates that a mother's life is prioritised if her life or wellbeing is put at risk by the child, thereby permitting abortion. Jewish laws do not condone abortion in scenarios involving rape or incest . Hindu philosophies prohibit abortion, in line with dharmasastras . Hindu philosophy regarding conception involve the belief that both physical and spiritual qualities, like an individual's past karma, exist and enter

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4032-720: The Christian socialists came through the Working Men's College , he influenced later socialist thinking, especially the artist William Morris . The painters of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood were influenced and sponsored by Ruskin. Morris was a leader of the Socialist League founded in December 1884. The Fabian Society was founded in 1884, with Beatrice Webb and Sydney Webb being among its leading members. The Fabians influenced members of

4128-512: The Church must destroy a system of society which inevitably creates and perpetuates unequal and unfair conditions of life. These unequal and unfair conditions have been created by competition. Therefore competition must cease and cooperation take its place." Although anarchists have traditionally been skeptical of or vehemently opposed to organized religion , some anarchists have provided religious interpretations and approaches to anarchism, including

4224-534: The Covenant Code is "directly, primarily, and throughout dependent upon the Laws of Hammurabi", "a creative rewriting of Mesopotamian sources ... to be viewed as an academic abstraction rather than a digest of laws". Others posit indirect influence, such as via Aramaic or Phoenician intermediaries. There is consensus that the similarities are a result of inheriting common oral traditions. Another example,

4320-640: The Hutterites "established in their communities a rigorous system of Ordnungen, which were codes of rules and regulations that governed all aspects of life and ensured a unified perspective. As an economic system, Christian communism was attractive to many of the peasants who supported social revolution in sixteenth century central Europe", such as the German Peasants' War , and Friedrich Engels came to view Anabaptists as proto-communists . Other earlier figures viewed as Christian socialists include

4416-543: The Israelite Sabbatical Year has antecedents in the Akkadian mesharum edicts granting periodic relief to the poor. An important distinction, however, is that in ancient Near East legal codes, as in more recently unearthed Ugaritic texts, an important, and ultimate, role in the legal process was assigned to the king. Ancient Israel, before the monarchical period beginning with David, was set up as

4512-614: The Jewish folk. So did the Rabbis and religious scribes by what of the Scripture of God they were entrusted with and were witnesses to. So fear not the men but fear Me and trade not My verses (commandments) for a petty price [of this worldly life]. Whoever governs ("judges") not by what God has sent down: they are those [who are] the unbelievers. We ordained for them therein: life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth and an [equal] retribution [for] wounds. But whoever

4608-459: The L ORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua , that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven "; Exodus 24:4, "And Moses wrote all the words of the L ORD , and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the mount, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel "; Exodus 34:27, "And the L ORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words, for after

4704-536: The Law of Moses as still fully in effect but transformed and fulfilled in a number of ways. Other Christians believe that only parts dealing with the moral law (as opposed to ceremonial law) are still applicable , others believe that none apply , dual-covenant theologians believe that the Old Covenant remains valid only for Jews, and a minority have the view that all parts still apply to believers in Jesus and in

4800-507: The Law or Torah a total of eighteen times, and repeats commandments from it: How do they (the Jews) make you (Muhammad) judge when [they have] the Law ("Torah") with them, wherein are the commandments of God? Even then they turn away [from God], after all that. They are no believers. Indeed have We sent down the Law ("Torah"), wherein was guidance and light, by which the prophets, who submitted to God, used to govern ("judge") those who [now] are of

4896-454: The Lord. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. When you reap in your harvest in

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4992-648: The New Covenant without any transformation in their character. Hebrew Catholics believe that the Law of Moses is not obligatory for Christians, but yet beneficial to preserve the Jewish identity of those Jews who have become Catholic, and as a devotional. During the Enlightenment, European society transitioned from the religious traditional social order of the Middle Ages into the modern Age of Reason. Anti-semitism, once driven by religious conviction and

5088-451: The New Testament that is an important component of Christian socialism is Luke 10:25–37 that follows the statement "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" with the question "And who is my neighbour?" In the Parable of the Good Samaritan . Jesus gives the response that the neighbour includes anyone in need, even people we might be expected to shun. The Samaritans and Jews claim descension from different Tribes of Israel , which had faced

5184-486: The Pentateuch "consists of about one half law and the other half narrative". The "Law of Moses" in ancient Israel was different from other legal codes in the ancient Near East because transgressions were seen as offences against God rather than solely as offences against society (civil law). This contrasts with the Sumerian Code of Ur-Nammu (c. 2100–2050 BCE), and the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (c. 1760 BCE, of which almost half concerns contract law ). However,

5280-448: The UK Muslim Law Council in 1996 issued a Ijtihad (religious ruling) that defined organ transplantation within the scope of the Islamic following, and Islamic Jurisprudence Assembly Council in Saudi Arabia in 1988 approving organ donation, with similar formal decisions made in Egypt , Iran , and Pakistan . Islamic jurisprudence does not condone or allow for an individual to die voluntarily. Islamic philosophies indicate that life

5376-521: The arguments and reasoning for the existence of an omniscient god or multiple gods can be found in several religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Another example includes the philosophical concept of free will , which is present in both monotheistic and polytheistic religions. Many religious concepts are considered to be "cross-culturally ubiquitous" as they are "cognitively natural." They are deemed intuitive, meaning that they arise without much direction, instruction, or coaching in

5472-415: The biblical figures from the Old Testament and their adherence to religious law which he said operated in an authoritarian manner to regulate social and community behavior instead of a personal conscience that requires agency. Muslims believe Moses was one of the major prophets (and apostles) of God and the Law was one of the three major revealed scriptures known by name beside the Quran , which mentions

5568-431: The case of palliative care , understanding different religious philosophical foundations allows for the proper spiritual care to be obtained by the patient. Religious philosophy is also a necessary consideration in the psychotherapeutic treatment of psychiatric disorders . Consideration of organ donation post-death is related to an individual's religious philosophy. Many religions follow dietary habits. For example,

5664-418: The conceptions of god, gods, and/or the divine. Ontological arguments are arguments based on reason with the conclusion that God exists. There are many notable contributors to the development of various ontological arguments. In the 11th century C.E., Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) reasoned in his work Proslogion about the existence of God in an ontological argument based on the idea that there

5760-558: The concepts and values behind the teaching pertaining to that belief-system. Different religious philosophies include: Mosaic Law The Law of Moses ( Hebrew : תֹּורַת מֹשֶׁה Torat Moshe ), also called the Mosaic Law , is the law said to have been revealed to Moses by God . The term primarily refers to the Torah or the first five books of the Hebrew Bible . The Law of Moses or Torah of Moses (Hebrew: תֹּורַת מֹשֶׁה ‎, Torat Moshe , Septuagint Ancient Greek : νόμος Μωυσῆ , nómos Mōusē , or in some translations

5856-410: The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. During the New Testament period and beyond, there is evidence that many Christian communities practised forms of sharing, redistribution, and communism. Some of the Bible verses that inspired the communal economic arrangements of

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5952-418: The early stages of our intellectual development and do not necessarily originate from cultural influence. Such religious concepts include beliefs concerning the "afterlife, souls, supernatural agents, and miraculous events." Some religious concepts require deliberate teaching to ensure the transmission of their ideas and beliefs to others. These beliefs are categorised as reflective and are often stored in

6048-461: The entire Tanakh and even all of the Oral Law as well. Among English-speaking Christians the term "The Law" can refer to the whole Pentateuch including Genesis , but this is generally in relation to the New Testament where nomos "the Law" sometimes refers to all five books, including Genesis. This use of the Hebrew term "Torah" (law), for the first five books is considered misleading by 21st-century Christian bible scholar John Van Seters , because

6144-432: The existence of God, known as Godel's Ontological Proof . An individual's perception of the concept of God influences their coping style. There are four main religiously affiliated coping mechanisms, as follows: An individual's religious philosophy is important in the consideration of their medical care and medical decisions, and taking that into account improves the quality of their medical treatment. Particularly in

6240-612: The fatherless, plead for the widow. The Book of Sirach , one of the deuterocanonical or biblical apocrypha books of the Old Testament, denounces the pursuit of wealth. He who loves gold will not be justified, and he who pursues money will be led astray by it. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face. It is a stumbling block to those who are devoted to it, and every fool will be taken captive by it. The teachings of Jesus are frequently described as socialist, especially by Christian socialists, such as Terry Eagleton . Acts 4:32 records that in

6336-412: The field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. ... When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again. ... When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this. Some of

6432-405: The first part of the 20th century, playing an important part in the development and expression of radicalism. Part of a larger, nationwide movement in many American Protestant churches, Christian socialism in Utah was particularly strong, and dedicated Christian socialist ministers, such as Episcopal Church bishop Franklin Spencer Spalding of Utah and Congregational minister Myron W. Reed in

6528-410: The five books of Moses). According to some scholars, use of the name "Torah" to designate the "Five Books of Moses" of the Hebrew Bible is clearly documented only from the 2nd century BCE. In modern usage, Torah can refer to the first five books of the Tanakh, as the Hebrew Bible is commonly called, to the instructions and commandments found in the 2nd to 5th books of the Hebrew Bible, and also to

6624-441: The form of economic justice and social welfare . It opposes an individualist worldview and approves state intervention in the economy in defence of human dignity. Because of its close association with Catholicism, Christian democracy differs from Christian socialism by its emphasis on traditional church and family values , its defence of private property, and by its opposition to excessive state intervention. Salvatore Talamo,

6720-1034: The historical development of religions, many religions share commonalities concerning their philosophies. These philosophies are often considered to be universal and include beliefs about concepts such as the afterlife , souls , and miracles . Religious faith and philosophical reflection are connected to one another. Religious tradition influences the philosophical thinking and beliefs of followers of that religion. Many philosophical commonalities have arisen among religions due to their core historical foundations. For example, Abrahamic religions , which encompass Judaism , Christianity , Islam , Baha'i Faith , Yezidi , Druze , Samaritan , and Rastafari , share philosophical commonalities, although they differ in their presentation of these philosophical concepts through their respective religious texts . There are also philosophical concepts and reasoning in religious teachings that were conceived independently from one another but are still similar and reflect analogous ideas. For example,

6816-400: The human embryo from the moment of conception. In Buddhist philosophies, much like Hindu philosophies, there is a morally negative view towards abortion in accordance to the Five Precepts . However, the intention behind an action is an important consideration, and therefore many Buddhists accept the idea of abortion if under the pretence of good intention. Taoist philosophy expresses

6912-730: The human, but to Allah. Although the Qur'an states "Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause" (Quran 17:33), hadith literature indicates that despite intolerable pain and suffering, euthanasia is not condoned. For example, according to Sahih Muslim , in the Battle of Hunayn a Muslim warrior committed suicide due to the pain of his wound however Muhammad declared that this act negated his courage and service to God and doomed him to Hell. Christian philosophies generally endorse organ donation although reasoning and opinion differ amongst sects. Christian theologians reference

7008-586: The idea that glorification of the state is a form of sinful idolatry . Christian anarchists say anarchism is inherent in Christianity and the Gospels , that it is grounded in the belief that there is only one source of authority to which Christians are ultimately answerable—the authority of God as embodied in the teachings of Jesus. It therefore rejects the idea that human governments have ultimate authority over human societies. Christian anarchists denounce

7104-512: The indifferent rich. Basil wrote a sermon on the Parable of the Rich Fool in which he states: "Who is the covetous man? One for whom plenty is not enough. Who is the defrauder? One who takes away what belongs to everyone. And are not you covetous, are you not a defrauder, when you keep for private use what you were given for distribution? When some one strips a man of his clothes we call him

7200-460: The influence of the ancient Near Eastern legal tradition on the Law of ancient Israel is recognised and well documented, for example, in principles such as lex talionis (" eye for an eye "), and in the content of the provisions. Some similarities are striking, such as in the provisions concerning a man-goring ox (Code of Hammurabi laws 250–252, Exodus 21:28–32). Some writers have posited direct influence: David P. Wright , for example, asserts that

7296-431: The issue have also been called into question, with some arguing he holds socialist or communist views, while others argue he does not. Pope Francis has denied accusations of him being a communist, including by The Economist , calling them a "misinterpretation" of his views. In 2016, Francis criticized Marxist ideology as wrong but praised communists for "[thinking] like Christians". Religious philosophy Due to

7392-672: The issue of poverty. One part of the Biblical tradition held that poverty was judgment of God upon the wicked while viewing prosperity as a reward for the good, stating in the Proverbs 13:25 that "[t]he righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite, but the belly of the wicked is empty." There are other sections that instruct generosity to the have-nots of society. Mosaic Law instructs followers to treat neighbours equally and to be generous to have-nots. You shall not oppress your neighbour ... but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am

7488-521: The money from their sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Basil of Caesarea , the Church Father of the Eastern monks who became Bishop of Caesarea , established a complex around the church and monastery that included hostels, almshouses, and hospitals for infectious diseases. During the great famine of 368, Basil denounced against profiteers and

7584-540: The persistent belief that Jews should be blamed for the death of Jesus, was reconfigured. The influence of Hebrew scripture and authoritarian ritual practice on Christian orthodoxy (including the Catholic Church ) became the basis for attacks on Church authority. Anti-Semitic polemic against the Mosaic Law became a common theme for many well-known Enlightenment philosophers. Pierre Bayle , a deist , criticized

7680-729: The phrase " preferential option for the poor ". This expression was used first by Jesuit Father General Pedro Arrupe in 1968, and the World Synod of Catholic Bishops in 1971 chose as its theme " Justice in the World " for the Second Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops . The Latin American context produced evangelical advocates of liberation theology, such as Rubem Alves , José Míguez Bonino , and C. René Padilla , who called for integral mission in

7776-431: The reasoning that if we are able to conceive the idea of a supremely perfect being (i.e., that we have an idea of a supremely perfect being), then, he claims, we are able to reach the conclusion that there exists a supremely perfect being. Two versions of Descartes' ontological argument exist: In the 18th century, Gottfried Leibniz (1646–1716) further developed Descartes ontological argument by attempting to satisfy

7872-412: The rich and position of attitude towards wealth. He said: "I am often reproached for continually attacking the rich. Yes, because the rich are continually attacking the poor. But those I attack are not the rich as such, only those who misuse their wealth. I point out constantly that those I accuse are not the rich, but the rapacious; wealth is one thing, covetousness another. Learn to distinguish." During

7968-458: The rich and powerful against the poor. According to this view, socialism was not anti-religion but was opposed to those who would use it to support capitalism and the status quo . James Connolly is credited with setting the groundwork for Christian socialism in Ireland. Connolly, who wrote a story for the Christian socialist journal Labour Prophet , said: "It is not Socialism but Capitalism that

8064-527: The rich intensely and in strong language in the Epistle of James . Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up for treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and

8160-433: The sharing of goods and labour, a simple form of socialism subsequently followed in certain forms of monasticism . Several monastic orders continue these practices today." The Hutterites believe in strict adherence to biblical principles and church discipline, and practices common ownership of nearly all property, resembling a form of communism to secular observers. In the words of historians Max Stanton and Rod Janzen,

8256-431: The slogan " no gods, no masters ". Christian anarchists often believe Romans 13 is taken out of context, emphasizing that Revelation 13 and Isaiah 13 , among other passages, are needed to fully understand Romans 13 text. Christian communism is a form of religious communism based on Christianity and the view that the teachings of Jesus compel Christians to support communism as the ideal social system . While there

8352-423: The socialist view, individuals do not live or work isolated, but live in cooperation with one another. Furthermore, everything that people produce is in some sense a social product, and everyone who contributes to the production of a good is entitled to a share in it. Society as a whole, therefore, should own or at least control property for the benefit of all its members. ... Early Christian communities also practised

8448-470: The state, believing it is violent, deceitful, and idolatrous when glorified. The foundation of Christian anarchism is a rejection of violence, with Leo Tolstoy 's The Kingdom of God Is Within You regarded as a key text. Tolstoy sought to separate Russian Orthodox Christianity —which was merged with the state—from what he believed was the true message of Jesus as contained in the Gospels, specifically in

8544-516: The tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel"; and Leviticus 26:46 "These are the decrees, the laws and the regulations that the L ORD established on Mount Sinai between himself and the Israelites through Moses." The Book of Kings relates how a "law of Moses" was discovered in the Temple during the reign of king Josiah (r. 641–609 BCE). Another mention of

8640-485: The term. Christian anarchists hold that the Reign of God is the proper expression of the relationship between God and humanity. Under the Reign of God, human relationships would be characterized by divided authority, servant leadership , and universal compassion—not by the hierarchical, authoritarian structures that are normally attributed to religious social order. Most Christian anarchists are pacifists who reject war and

8736-467: The use of violence. More than any other Bible source, the Sermon on the Mount is used as the basis for Christian anarchism. Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You is often regarded as a key text for modern Christian anarchism. Critics of Christian anarchism include both Christians and anarchists. Christians often cite Romans 13 as evidence that the state should be obeyed, while secular anarchists do not believe in any authority including God as per

8832-774: The violation of the human body, however simultaneously place importance on selflessness; And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. ( Quran 5:32) Organ donation is generally endorsed, through the principle that necessity overrides prohibition known as al-darurat tubih al-mahzurat. Objections to organ donation in Islamic religion is mainly originated on cultural foundations rather than religious philosophical ones, with their altruistic principle allowing for exceptions in regard to medical intervention, for example; involving porcine bone grafts and pork insulin . Formal decisions have been made regarding organ donation in association with Islamic teachings, for example,

8928-467: Was Keir Hardie , a founder of the Labour Party in Britain, who said he learnt his "Socialism in the New Testament", where he said he found what he described as his "chief inspiration". Those socialists argued that socialism was the embodiment of the teachings of Jesus , and that it would also rescue the church from Mammon , which they said caused it to have lost its way and become corrupt by siding with

9024-412: Was one of the founding threads of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom and is said to begin with the uprising of Wat Tyler and John Ball in the 14th century. In the New Testament, Jesus identifies himself with the hungry, the poor, the sick, and the prisoners. Matthew 25:31–46 is a major component of Christianity and is considered the cornerstone of Christian socialism. Another key statement in

9120-539: Was taking hold of many urban churches across the United States in the early 20th century. In the November 1914 issue of The Christian Socialist , Spalding stated: "The Christian Church exists for the sole purpose of saving the human race. So far she has failed, but I think that Socialism shows her how she may succeed. It insists that men cannot be made right until the material conditions be made right. Although man cannot live by bread alone, he must have bread. Therefore,

9216-472: Was taught by Jesus and practised by the apostles themselves. This is generally agreed by historians. The link was highlighted in one of Marx's early writings, which stated that "[a]s Christ is the intermediary unto whom man unburdens all his divinity, all his religious bonds, so the state is the mediator unto which he transfers all his Godlessness, all his human liberty." The political movement of Christian democracy espouses some values of Christian socialism in

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