I found myself intrigued by Jim Stahl’s letter “Socialism is not Christian” (Feb. 5, TribLIVE). Both “socialism” and “Christianity” can mean different things to different people, and I can’t fully know Stahl’s view on those terms based on his letter. So, to look at socialism and Christianity through a different lens, I’ll focus on what Jesus’ followers did after he left earth.
In the Book of Acts, it states: “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. … There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” (Acts 4:32, 34-35 NRSV)
In his letter, Stahl wrote, “social doctrines have as their roots the idea of ‘Hate the person who has more than you, who has done better than you, now GET ’EM, YEAH, GET ’EM!’” However, when I think of the term “socialism” and picture my socialist friends, my mind immediately goes to this Bible passage, because it is the kind of socialism that Jesus’ own disciples lived out, and it is also what I see my socialist friends practicing themselves and encouraging others to consider: mutually living in love with compassionate hearts and open hands.
John David Kudrick
Penn Township, Westmoreland County