Why Jesus Was Not a Socialist

On paper, collectivism is a very noble idea worth implementing among nations. In fact, much more can be done in groups than individually. At least in business and sports, much more revenue or victories can be achieved when you count on more people working towards the same outcome. So, it is with this rationale in mind that socialism promises equality for all citizens (Socialist International 2024, § 14). Simply put, it preaches the gospel of social justice which in practice, is a euphemism for the redistribution of wealth and resources with the less fortunate members of society. Up to this point, then, refuting collectivism as a political vision would sound like trying to stop well-intentioned politicians from implementing compassionate public policies. However, history, metrics, and reality demonstrate that collectivist or socialist regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela did not work. To date, they have only managed to equalize poverty, forcing their citizens to migrate to other countries in search for jobs, safety, and political stability. In contrast, public and private sector individuals that are friendly or clients to those regimes, seem to thrive.

Let us compare the luxurious lifestyle of these apostles of so-called social justice to the austere condition of an average Cuban citizen earning an average of $20.00 USD per month. For example, Fidel Castro’s former bodyguard, Juan Reinaldo Sanchez, estimated Castro’s net worth to be approximately $168 Million which was evident in the private yachts, jets, properties, and cars that were available at his disposal (Marcin 2016). Similarly, investigative journalist Moises Martinez, who tried to quantify the size of Ortega’s “multi-million-dollar ventures” explained that what took the wealthy Pellas family to amass in 80 years, Ortega and his family did in two years (The Christian Science Monitor 2009). Most likely, as a result of their holdings in oil, real estate, and news outlets.

Also, socialism has been sold to Roman Catholic Hispanics on the pretext that Jesus was a socialist. In fact, the late Nicaraguan liberation theologian priest, Ernesto Cardenal Martinez, believed that Jesus was “the first revolutionary” and that both the dictator Fidel Castro, as well as the blood-thirsty Che Guevara, had spearheaded the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth (CIA 2011, 11). Conveniently, they fail to mention that Jesus encouraged his followers to give freely because it is “better to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). So, if Jesus and his followers cared for the poor out of pure compassion and without the coercive power of the State, one may wonder how the collectivist theologians conclude that an armed struggle against the rich is consistent with Jesus’ statement that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

Therefore, it is reasonable to affirm that Jesus was not a socialist. In fact, the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah because they were hoping to see a leader who would free them from the Roman yoke but that did not happen and as a result, they chose to save Barabbas over Jesus (Matt 27:15-26). Moreover, Jesus taught believers to give Caesar what belongs to the State, and to God what is his (Luke 20:25). To elaborate, giving is a principle that Jesus expected his people to put into practice but the problem with socialist activists and politicians is that they like to be generous with other people’s money, not their own. So, unlike the modern socialists whose lifestyles do not reflect the economic reality of those they claim to represent, Jesus came to earth to serve and love others before himself.

References

Central Intelligence Agency. 2011. “Liberation Theology: Religion, Reform, and Revolution,” CIA , November 18, 2011, https://cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP97R000600050001-9.pdf.

Marcin, Tim. 2016. “Fidel Castro Net Worth 2016: How Cuban Leader Built Wealth After 1959 Revolution In Communist Country” IBT, https://www.ibtimes.com/fidel-castro-net-worth-2016-how-cuban-leader-built-wealth-after-1959-revolution-2451623stro Net Worth 2016: How Cuban Leader Built Wealth After 1959 Revolution In Communist Country | IBTimes.

Rogers, Tim. 2009. “Nicaragua’s Newest Tycoon? Socialist President Daniel Ortega,” CSM, October 14, 2009, https://csmonitor.com/world/americas/2009/1014/p06s01-woam.html.

Socialist International. 1989. “Declaration of Principles,” Socialistinternational, June 1989, https://www.socialistinternational.org/about-us/declaration-of-principles.