Is Capitalism Anti-Jesus?

In an interview with Wolf Blitzer, Michael Moore talks about his new movie, Capitalism: A Love Story, and how capitalism is anti-Jesus. 

I am no fan of Moore’s political leanings, but he does make point worth debating.So, is capitalism anti-Jesus? 

Well, first let’s define terms.  Capitalism is “an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.”

Jesus states in Luke 22:18; “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

And in Matthew 25:45; “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

But does this mean that Jesus would be against the economic system of capitalism?  I going to have to say no.  Under capitalism, individuals are free to give to whoever they please.  Jesus would be upset by the morality of individuals, not society as a whole.  Morality only exists on an individual basis.  When the ability to earn money is impeded, and wealth is redistributed by the state, there is no chance for individuals to act on their own moral standards.

I’m not religious, but I believe that Jesus would be more opposed to an economic system based on force; i.e. any system where one person’s effort does not directly translate into his own rewards.

p.s.

I think Moore is a very humorous fellow, and I plan on seeing his new movie.  I like how he dodges Wolf Blitzer’s question at 6:30 in the video.

France, A Muddled Country

There is a little bit of sense coming through the French Senate.  After all these strict policies that France has set in place, it looks like the ban on shopping on Sundays will be lifted after being in place since 1906.  A little bit of freedom is never something to take for granted.  Even if this step seems kind of miniscule, it is progress. 

Previously, some stores were allowed to open on Sundays while others were denied the privilege.  While this law doesn’t allow every store to open on Sundays, French legislators have designated 20 areas of commerce as permitted to do business.  This is a good step toward economic freedom. 

Now listen to the opposition’s argument; 

It will cause employers to force their workers to work on Sundays and it disrespects religious families and organizations because they cannot enjoy their day of rest.  

What a big-headed thing to say!  Many French workers have the belief that their employer is obligated to pay them exactly what they demand.  A little while ago, many employees were literally holding their bosses hostage. 

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=7170102&page=1

This idea is totally devoid of logic.  The employer is the most important person in a company.  He is the one with the ideas, he is the one creating the most wealth.  It is his decision how much he pays the workers and how long he wants them to work.  If employees are upset with his decisions, they may politely complain, or leave the company, but they do not have the right to forcibly demand anything of him. 

As for disrespecting religious practices; I see nothing wrong with allowing people to shop on Sundays.  The French government did not issue a mandate that people must shop.  Individuals are free to shop if they want to.  If one wants Sunday to be a day of rest, then he may have it as a day of rest.  Individuals have the right to lead their own lives, not the lives of others.  Many people in France don’t agree with me on that.  In fact, many people In America wouldn’t agree with me on that either.  

Many people think that if the majority of people feel a certain way, they can (and should) force others to bend to their wishes.  This is how democracy turns sour.  When individual rights are not protected, you get democratic socialism.  Dr. Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute explains this better than me; 

“If we define the role of government as protecting individual rights, then no majority should ever be allowed to violate somebody’s rights…The whole idea of a right to property is an anti-democratic notion.  It says that 51% of the people can’t vote my property away from me.”- Dr. Yaron Brook 

An opinion poll has shown that just more than half of the population wants shopping available on Sundays.  It’s a shame that this is even open to debate, but progress is progress.

Religious Freedom and Freedom From Religion

Normally while at church, I just sit there and mope about having to go in the first place.  But since my parents require me to go, I might as well make something of it.  I’ve decided to take some notes on the pastor’s sermon and write a blog in response.  I never voice my own opinions while in church for fear of my parents’ wrath and a good talking to from all the adults in the congregation.  So, here’s my voice. 

I’m just going to paraphrase a few of his points and state my own arguments. 

“Many people came to America seeking religious freedom because America had the blessing of God.  Our founders knew that the most Christian thing to do was to allow all people to practice their religions freely.  There is nowhere else on Earth where you find the religious freedom that America has.  But some people didn’t come for religious freedom.  They came for gold, for riches.  That power of materialism still vexes our country today.  Just look at Bernie Madoff.” 

My pastor makes a great point about how America has immense religious freedom, but it was not necessarily the most Christian thing to do.  It goes against the bible to practice other religions.  The first commandment states; “Thou shall have no other gods before me.”  The founding fathers would have made America officially Christian if they wanted citizens to practice Christianity.  Instead, they made religious freedom one of the staples of our country. 

As for materialism…There are two types of materialism that he’s grouping together.  He is stating that all materialism is bad, and that all greed is evil.  However there is huge difference between irrational greed and rational greed.  The former characterizes Bernie Madoff.  This kind of greed really is evil.  Madoff was willing to step all over individual rights to reach his ends.  This was clearly irrational, just look where he ended up.  

The latter kind of greed characterizes the immigrants came to America seeking gold and riches.  This is what many people call rational self-interest.  These immigrants wanted to make better lives for themselves.  Obviously, they thought they could do much better in the United States than they could in their own countries.  Is it a bad thing to escape suffering?  Should they have stayed right where they were and endured hunger, poverty, and disease? 

Good Lord, NO! This is one of my major problems with Christianity; Jesus taught that one should give all things to God and let him deal with things.  “Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants.  Then all you other needs will be met as well.  So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries.”-Matthew 6:33-34. 

If God wants us to just let him deal with everything, we would die of starvation.  Food doesn’t just present itself to us if we wait for God to provide.  We have to go out and get it ourselves.  Some people might say, “God doesn’t mean don’t worry about anything, he means do what you can and you will have food.”  But then, isn’t the individual who found, killed, or gathered the food the one to commend for providing the food? 

“There are politicians that say they believe in God, that they have faith, that they are Christians, but then they say they will not let their religion affect their politics.  Wait…are they listening to their own words?  I don’t think so.” 

I concur with my pastor on this one.  When you have certain beliefs, like the belief of God, it’s going to influence every decision you make.  Politicians are just trying to avoid getting kicked out of office.  They try to please the most people as possible, but mostly they are just walking contradictions. 

“There are those that suggest we are better off without any religion at all.  To them I say, if you believe this, there’ll be hell to pay.  Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness cannot be accomplished without God.” 

I’d like some evidence for this.  People are constantly accomplishing their dreams, and I don’t see God to be in any way involved.  These people should be commended for their achievements, not God.

Sarkozy’s Modest Proposal

Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that burqas and niqabs are no longer welcome in the paradise of France. 

The extremely irritable French President  feels that it’s necessary for all immigrants to completely integrate themselves into French culture, leaving all former identity behind.  Apparently, noticeable culture differences spark hatred between ethnic and religious groups.  Well, yes…that can happen.  But banning a Muslim tradition?  Won’t that create more tension between cultures?

Here’s the irony; he says he’s banning the full-body coverings because they represent oppression.  What does he think he’s doing by telling Muslim women their religious beliefs are not welcome in France? 

Sarkozy states,” Who doesn’t see that our integration model isn’t working any more?  Instead of producing equality, it produces inequality. Instead of producing cohesion, it creates resentment.”  This guy is so incredibly warped.  He wants everyone in his culture to bow down to the wishes of himself and of the majority.  France has already passed a ban on Muslim head scarves in public schools!  Who knows what else Sarkozy will try to do.

Here’s the scary part;  he has many people behind him, supporting his statement.  And his opposition is stating that this law will create tension in the French Muslim community.  Oh really?  They need to have a much stronger argument than that if they want to prevent a ban on burqas from being put into place.  Every which way I turn, individual rights are being stepped on.

Salaam aleikum France.