Originally posted by Suzianne
Yes, we are finally seeing a backlash from the United States adopting Capitalism, or more precisely, Free Enterprise, as the state-sponsored "religion". Perhaps we're finally on-track to abolish "Reagan-capitalism" and finally begin our recovery as a nation which actually values its citizens, and not only those with high incomes.

What is your ideal alternative? Socialism or some other something else?

Originally posted by FMF
When I occasionally pose questions here to Christians about the practical application of their Christian principles to ordinary everyday mundane things ~ aside from you ~ it is often met with prevarication, and I get the sense that I am seen as having asked a slightly mystifying or audacious question.

Yep .. they have been taught a load of false doctrines:
- that all they need to do is to profess their faith in Christ and they are saved eternally,
- that doing good works is trying to earn their salvation
- that God has good works for them to do
- helping the poor and needy is Gods job
- that the rest of the world is evil and only interested in money [see yoctobytes statements]
- Satan is in control of the world therefore they need to keep away from people of other faiths

The more Christians talk the more they appear to be the most screwed up people.

Originally posted by Rajk999
Yep .. they have been taught a load of false doctrines:
- that all they need to do is to profess their faith in Christ and they are saved eternally,
- that doing good works is trying to earn their salvation
- that God has good works for them to do
- helping the poor and needy is Gods job
- that the rest of the world is evil and only interested in ...[text shortened]... other faiths

The more Christians talk the more they appear to be the most screwed up people.

You forgot to add...

- misrepresent others by attributing false statements to them. Do you get it?

🙄

Originally posted by yoctobyte
You forgot to add...

- misrepresent others by attributing false statements to them. Do you get it?

🙄

When I enquired about what bearing a Christian's principles should have on their remuneration of employees did you not, for all intents and purposes, ask 'why should being a Christian or a non-Christian matter'? My paraphrasing of my question and your response, I know, but haven't I encapsulated it? If not, explain.

Originally posted by yoctobyte
What is your ideal alternative? Socialism or some other something else?

Let's give real democracy a chance first, with everybody's voice being heard and accepted equally, for a change.

Originally posted by Suzianne
Let's give real democracy a chance first, with everybody's voice being heard and accepted equally, for a change.

I agree with your comment on democracy, we should have a fully representative government. However, democracy is more of a political system whereas Free Enterprise is an economic system. What would you propose as an alternative to our Free Enterprise as an economic system? Would it be socialism or something else?

Originally posted by yoctobyte
I agree with your comment on democracy, we should have a fully representative government. However, democracy is more of a political system whereas Free Enterprise is an economic system. What would you propose as an alternative to our Free Enterprise as an economic system? Would it be socialism or something else?

Do you think one's Christianity should have some influence on how you engage in "Free Enterprise"?

Originally posted by KellyJay
Is it my job to take care of myself or....
the government
my boss
everyone else?

yourself - the rest will follow, since we're all connected

Originally posted by yoctobyte
I agree with your comment on democracy, we should have a fully representative government. However, democracy is more of a political system whereas Free Enterprise is an economic system. What would you propose as an alternative to our Free Enterprise as an economic system? Would it be socialism or something else?

False choices. There are many types of capitalism. The neoliberal model is not the only option on offer. There are also many types of socialism. Germany for example is an immensely successful industrial country - easily matching American rivals for example - with economic policies that a neoliberal American would shrink from as wild socialism. France has a huge public sector investment in industries that Britain has now privatised, with the charming result that Britain's nuclear power industry is now owned by the French state owned power company EDF. British Tories ought to be sent to the Tower for treachery. British capitalism seems to have lost interest in industry and prefers to focus on the finance sector - with the upcoming referendum to leave the EU there are plans to turn us into an offshore tax haven. We import our steel from China - far better than making it ourselves it seems. American capitalism is absolutely not the ideal or the only form of capitalism to be considered and frankly, its performance on many criteria is increasingly unimpressive.

Rigid, ideologically bounded thinking blinds Americans to the limitiations of their model and the potential for change. Neoliberal policies will bring the US to its knees before the elite consider tolerating political movement.

Originally posted by DeepThought
I assume that Kelly is referring to benefits. In the era that that was written there were no state provided benefits or other insurance. One's only hope was the charity of neighbours. So I don't think the verse is especially relevant to the modern world, at least not the West.

Benefits, like we see today in the days of scripture were not part of reality.

Originally posted by vivify
I don't know. What would Jesus do about that situation?

Why would Jesus have to do anything? If you are not willing to take care of own self in those
days you'd starve, at some point you'd make an effort.

Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
How would Jesus answer your question?

It my job to take care of myself and my family, and those around me.
That said, each of us should be doing to the same, and not attempting to be a burden.

Originally posted by Suzianne
BUT, we (Americans, anyway) are all part of "We the People".

A. Lincoln called our government "of the people, by the people, for the people". And in this way, we ARE all a part of "government".

You want credit for all the government does? Do you think that when the government
forces money out people and spends it on X that, that is something you are a part of?
You want to have all the blood the government has on its hands on yours, you want the
pain that the government has put upon people being put on your account too?

We the people are called to give! What the government does is not charity it is
compulsion, it is done by force. When you given it should be you giving, when it is a need
to be done it should be you doing, it should be you not something you were forced to be
a part of by law.

Originally posted by KellyJay
When you given it should be you giving, when it is a need to be done it should be you doing, it should be you not something you were forced to be a part of by law.

Do you mean to say that you don't think you should be legally compelled to pay taxes?

Originally posted by KellyJay
We the people are called to give! What the government does is not charity it is compulsion, it is done by force.

Taxes should be voluntary, is that what you mean?