Jesus Was a Socialist

Conservatives in this nation have a really poor understanding of two things that they consider to the foundation of their views : Jesus and socialism. The former is a so-called "role model", and the latter is what they strive against as if it was the devil himself. The GOP is constantly asserting Obama is proposing and enacting (when he can) socialist policies, when, in fact, the GOP probably has a very limited understanding of what socialism is.

Take this example : about a year ago in an architecture discussion a fellow peer started the whole sustainable society advocacy (following the lines of James Kunstler's ideology). He claimed that we, as a society, need to be less concerned about ourselves, and more concerned about the community. While a great idea, I told him to pick up a copy of the Communist Manifesto, because he was advocating communism. He snapped back at me that it's not communism, because "communism is bad". Communism, which is derived from "commune" or "community" is an a social / political system that is driven towards the idea of equality amongst individuals and groups, where the community is stronger than the individual. It's not that he was stupid, which is not the case. The point is we are brought up in a society where certain things are "bad", and we don't question why they are "bad", regardless if they are bad or not. He didn't know he was advocating communism, and because of his ignorance to subject, all he knew about communism is that it is "bad".

The same goes for Conservatives and socialism. And while Jesus is their role model, they  most certainly are not Christ-like. Not just because they are some of the most hateful, spiteful, greedy, lustful (and all the seven deadly sins) people I have ever known, it's because they advocate capitalism and despise socialism. What they don't realize is that Jesus was a socialist. If we look at Jesus' message, we can gather this very quickly.

Towards the end of the GOP Candidatial Debate just a few days ago, there was a huge deal over healthcare in this nation (i.e Obamacare). When candidate Ron Paul was asked if a man didn't have health insurance and became ill, should the government help him? And what did the crowd of "Christians" do? They shouted NO! They would let him die (but of course all fetuses have to live!). So, now, I have to ask : what would Jesus do? Well, here is what Jesus did do :

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Mark 1 : 32 - 34

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make be clean."
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.
Luke 5 : 12 - 13

Now did any of these people have health insurance? Let me be as blunt as possible : fuck no. They were sick, poor, lonely beggars who were absolutely hopeless. Did Jesus ask for their insurance information? Did he ask them for money? Did he ask why he should even bother? No, because he was Jesus, and he was far better of a person than any Christian today, by a very long shot. (Let me point out that I do know a few actually good Christians, and I can count them all on one hand if I was missing two fingers and a thumb).

And if healthcare for everyone (regardless of who they are, regardless of age, race, gender, current health condition, et cetera) is socialist, then at the very least, it is Christ-like. I'm certain Jesus would cry in shame that his followers 2000 years after him have embraced the very antithesis of what he preached. And I cry in shame because of it as well.

And let's not even get started on welfare, corporation despotism, unregulated businesses, education, governance, and economics.

"I like your Christ, but I don't like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."
~Mahatma Gandhi