On 'Socialism is Not Compassionate, and Why This Should Matter to Christians'...
First, let’s define our terms. Socialism is government mandated activities or government control of assets. Marxism is using the power of the state to take money from some groups of citizens and give it to other groups (“redistribution of wealth” or “social justice”). Liberalism is a broader term that encompasses both of the above. Progressivism and statism are synonyms for liberalism. Because there is so much overlap, we will use these terms more-or-less interchangeably.
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May I note that there has been NO government whatsoever that would not control assets (such as military) and mandate activities (because that is its primary function)? May I note that every single government taxes citizens/subjects and gives revenue to certain groups (again, military, bureaucrats etc.)? May I note you pull definitions out of your arse?
Definition fail. Socialism merely ensures more cooperative, societal control of means of production, Marxism doesn't even believe in a state, progressivism is a reformist centre-left movement, and liberalism is centre-right. If you are using these terms interchangeably, you are stupid.
Cool, so let's just define terms to mean whatever we don't want and ignore the way anyone worth referring to actually uses those terms.
Your definition of socialism in particular runs into problems when you consider what libertarian socialism is. You know, what libertarian meant before free market fundies hijacked the term.
Some Person: "Followers of Christianity, Islam and Judaism all say there's one and only one God, the one THEY belive in! Christian, Muslim and Jewish scripture all allow polygamous marriage (one husband, several wives) and Christians, Muslims and Jews have all claimed that women need to cover up to 'avoid leading men into sin!' Because there is so much overlap, we will use these terms more-or-less interchangeably!"
Anonymous coward: [Head explodes]
...we will use these terms more-or-less interchangeably.
Without understanding what any of said terms actually means.
Kristyun Homskuul gradyuit, were you?
Or, it could also mean everyone chipping in a little in taxes to help take care of other people and infrastructure, such as Social Security; welfare; police, fire, and ambulance protection; military protection; public roads; public libraries; museums; public hospitals; etc. I really cannot stand these conservatives who think that providing for the social welfare is a bad thing. It's like they want it to be every man for himself and want to keep people poor so the churches will stay in business.
Interesting definitions.
Socialism was close; it's the government ownership of the means of production. I have no idea what "government mandated activities" would be. Communism is the idea of a totally classless society where everyone contributes whatever they can and all resources are held in common for the good of all. You know, like the early Christian communities. Liberalism doesn't encompass either Socialism or Communism but is a broad indistinct label describing a viewpoint or ideology associated with free political institutions and religious toleration, as well as support for a strong role of government in regulating capitalism.
Fundie, simpleton, delusional, monomaniac, The Willful Ignorant, sophomoric, dupes, Authoritarian Followers , knee-jerks.
(Note, The Royal "We".)
Translation: "I'm too dumb to understand A, B, C, D or E, so I'll assume they're all the same."
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to meanneither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." "The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be masterthat's all."
Lewis Caroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Or we could use the dictionary definitions.
Socialism is a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies.
Marxism is the political, economic, and social theories of Karl Marx including the belief that the struggle between social classes is a major force in history and that there should eventually be a society in which there are no classes.
Liberalism is belief in the value of social and political change in order to achieve progress.
Progressivism is the principles, beliefs, or practices of progressives.
Statism is concentration of economic controls and planning in the hands of a highly centralized government often extending to government ownership of industry.
These terms have very little to do with each other.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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