tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post2658581924079112144..comments2024-03-09T05:13:08.154-05:00Comments on What in the World?: ChrapitalismAdrian Hellemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12611563345804489187noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post-9190515250394042072013-07-19T07:32:02.477-04:002013-07-19T07:32:02.477-04:00I am afraid you make the common mistake of not dif...I am afraid you make the common mistake of not differentiating different "forms" of capitalism. The system we have here in America is not "pure" capitalism, it is "crony capitalism." A short definition of crony capitalism would be the marriage of Big Government with Big Business. In crony capitalism, the government distorts the market through no bid contracts, bailouts, and legislation and regulations that disproportionately hurt small and medium sized businesses at the expense of large national and multinational corporations. Such a system is clearly unbiblical. However, "free-market" capitalism is a much different thing. In free-market capitalism, the government is not actively involved in the economy, except for enforcing legal contracts and private property rights. All players have equal chance to succeed or fail with no preferential treatment. Prices and products/services produced are determined exclusively by supply and demand from consumers. I am convinced that free market capitalism is the most compatible system with the ethics of the Bible. Many verses in the Bible extorting believers to help the poor, orphans, widows, etc. are taken grossly out of context by "liberal" Christians who use them to justify the social welfare state. Christ's exhortation belongs to individual believers and is purely voluntary in nature. Charity that comes from money forcibly taken from us is not charity and is not at all pleasing to God. If you have $100 and I steal $25 and give it to a homeless man I am still a thief. The coercive social welfare state is a wicked corruption of Biblical morality. It is intrinsically sinful since it is funded through theft (primary through income taxation, another great evil).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post-2136996586034576562013-05-15T06:45:12.367-04:002013-05-15T06:45:12.367-04:00There were good kings and bad kings in old Testame...There were good kings and bad kings in old Testament Israel, with their individual followers and supporters. The same applies to Spiritual 'Israel' today. We, as Christians, have a choice whether we learn from the scriptures or not. Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165344093549650260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post-83745723005544042922013-05-12T10:28:24.736-04:002013-05-12T10:28:24.736-04:00What is happening in America, is happening all ove...What is happening in America, is happening all over the world. Capitalism is working, but not for the majority but a small super wealthy elite who are so blind to their greed that they can't see the wood for the trees. Why does anyone need billions? And then on top of this aggressively avoid tax too. The combination of Christianity with capitalism is a dangerous mix, because it is telling people they can be selfish and greedy but still be good, a sheen of respectability covering all manner of ruthless exploitation and divisive hypocrisy and double standards of all kinds. Right wing politics and Christianity is a lethal concoction. The money lenders have drove Jesus out of the temple quite simply and they are in charge.T-Childshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973808285834438472noreply@blogger.com