Should Christians deny Socialists?

     I keep hearing about how terrible is the concept of Socialism.  I ask "why".  Responses range from nervous laughter to disbelief that the question was asked (with no actual lucid answer).  In adherence to the principles of K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid), I resorted to looking in the Webster's dictionary at my desk:
  

Social: adj 1. Living in communities or groups. 2. Of or relating to the life and interrelationships of human beings in society. 3. Marked by friendly companionship with others.

Socialism: n. A social system or theory in which the producers possess political power and the means of producing and distributing goods.   (author’s addition – the above “producers” are the people who produce, who work, who make the products – not the ones who sit in high places whose major contribution to today's society is to rake in the monetary profits made from the toils of the producers who today do not benefit from the monetary rewards of their labors.)

Humans or Humanity: n 1. Human beings as a group: humankind. 2. The quality, state, or fact of being human. 3. The quality of being humane ie. Kindness.

Christianity :n  The religion founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

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      What are those “teachings of Jesus Christ”?    What I gleaned from my Christian education was pretty straightforward:

‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother, you do unto me’.

‘You are your brother’s keeper’.

‘When you gave food to the hungry, you fed me.  When you clothed the naked, you clothed me,  etc.’

       In a nutshell, Christ’s teachings would have us treat others the way we would like to be treated – or a common version of the golden rule.

      As human beings, we are social creatures.  We crave companionship, friendship, and love.  We need these things as well as basic elements of physical survival, food, shelter, and clothing.  Sometimes we have difficulties.  There are obstacles that can surprise the most organized and prepared of any of us.   The hardships of these obstacles can be further compounded when the non-producers of society do all the taking of resources.  The embodiment of humanity in its kindness and the strength and support of the society, are decimated in the shadow of avarice and selfish hoarding of a few.

     And yet the so many self proclaimed Christians I hear, decry as “evil Socialist” any systems of assistance to those experiencing need.  I suspect they have succumbed to the self serving propaganda spread by the super-rich who produce nothing and often contribute nothing worthwhile to the human condition and spirit.

     I maintain that the closest to the message and intention of Christ that we have, is the human system of Socialism.   The wealthy can still maintain an elevated position in the hierarchy, but everyone willing and able to work can make enough to support their families.  And those who have found themselves in need of assistance can count on the human family to help them.

     There are plenty of resources out there in financial facilities right now to allow all of humanity to live more humanely.   But the control and ownership is all at the top of the heap. Many resources have been outright stolen from the population and earth at large with no accountability or repercussions for the theft.  It is the greedy and their perversely righteous dupes, whose gullibility promotes the skewing of the resources that once were, and could again be available to all.

    What Would Jesus Do?  (WWJD)…  In today’s environment he might avoid Christianity and the twisted self-centered agenda so many have made of it .  He might instead be a Socialist.