A comment to my recent post, “Why All the Fuss” states, “Capitalism has some issues for sure,” and goes on to mention “the dangers of collectivism from history which is being replaced by the goodness of collectivism.”

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Charles Curtman 3h · IS COLLECTIVISM “GOOD”?

A comment to my recent post, “Why All the Fuss” states, “Capitalism has some issues for sure,” and goes on to mention “the dangers of collectivism from history which is being replaced by the goodness of collectivism.” This comment, well intended, but not well informed, underscores, I think, (1) where we are as a nation now in the throes of communist insurrection, and (2) why we are where we are.

First there is no question that “Capitalism has some issues for sure.” So does everything and everyone in this imperfect world. But capitalism has long been recognized as a system based on justice that has lifted millions out of poverty while promoting individual freedom and personal property rights. Whatever “issues” it has had or has pale in comparison to the issues involved with collectivism in the same way the issues involved with a head cold compare to those involved with stage five cancer.

There are “issues” associated with capitalism, but murder-by-government of 100 million civilians during the 20th century to impose and sustain it is not one of them. It is an historical fact that 100 million civilians were murdered via firing squads, forced famines and in work camps during the 20th century by governments in order to impose and sustain systems and societies based on collectivism.

Secondly, the question is begged: “Where are any examples of the “goodness of collectivism” wherever it has been imposed upon people? We have models of “collectivism” to which we can look (but look in vain) to find any such “goodness.” The former Soviet Union, Communist China, North Korea, and Cuba, etc. are classic examples of, and showcase, what collectivism is all about. But. apparently the collectivism in these countries lacks “goodness” enough to keep their citizens from doing whatever they can to get out of them and into countries where capitalism prevails.

The term “collectivism” is a euphemism for socialism and communism. It involves the “collection” and control of all personal assets by government. In the process, every vestige of personal freedom is “collected” and controlled by government. Roger Scruton said, “The correct answer to socialism is: prove it. Prove that there is something wrong with inequality and privilege. And, more importantly, prove that you have something better to put in their place.”

Collectivism militates against everything our Founding Fathers had in mind as they drafted a form of government for America. They shared Thomas Jefferson’s sentiments who wrote: “To take from one because it is thought that his own industry, and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.”

Collectivism fundamentally requires the taking of people’s earned wealth, large or small to, as Barack Obama said, “distribute equally” among others who have had nothing to do with acquiring the property or resources involved. Collectivism fundamentally is armed robbery made possible by the power of government. It was Mao who said, “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.” The power of all government—the “business end of government”—which includes the power to collectivize, tax, confiscate, fine and imprison, etc. the citizenry—ultimately is found at the end of a gun barrel (This reality was a main motivation for the Founder’s drafting of the Second Amendment).

The misinformed and misleading comment referred to here also asserts that capitalism’s issues stem from the fact that “people are covetous.” But people under collectivism and communism can be, and are, just as covetous as people anywhere. Perhaps, there is no one more wickedly “covetous” than a communist who covets the power to “collect” what belongs to other people to redistribute as he pleases. Any individual who wants what others have without personally working for it is wickedly covetous. I doubt that there are many under collectivism who do not earnestly covet the opportunities capitalism affords to people.

I could go on and on, but the most important thingto understand is that collectivism is unbiblical and evil. It violates the 7th commandment which prohibits stealing: “Thous shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15). Merriam-Webster says, “The meaning of STEAL is to take the property of another wrongfully and specially as a habitual or regular practice” (i. e. collectivism).

Collectivism is diametrically opposed to New Testament truth: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 These:3:10). In the Bible, restrictions are clearly stipulated, even in the case of widows, for the distribution of charity (1 Tim. 5:3-16). Read and ponder the instruction relative to the getting and using of money that was given to the church at Ephesus: “Let him that stole stead no more, but rather let him labour, working with his own hands the thing that is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Christians are (1) to be honestly and gainfully employed, (2) they are to handle their finances in a way that enables them to “have” income, and to have enough of it to enable them to freely give to those in need.

Some either disingenuously or foolishly refer to Acts 4:34, 35 to argue for the “goodness” of collectivism: “Neither was there any among them that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses some them, and brought the prices of the things. that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” But context here makes it clear that individual choice, not external coercion, motivated the actions recorded here. The apostle Peter said to some at the time: “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power” (Acts 5:4).

The biblical principle for such cooperative gathering and giving is seen in God’s instruction regarding the building of the tabernacle: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering” (Ex. 25:2). The key words here are, “giveth it willingly.”

Charity when biblically practiced, is a virtue. Collectivism, is a vice. Collectivism as it is being practiced and promoted today is as opposed to God’s will, and as unChristian as any thing could be. People should not be confused or be confusing others about this.

Collectivism is something toxic that has been injected into our Republic in the form of a government-enforced, taxpayer-funded, welfare system. This, in place of what was once recognized and tended to as a responsibility of churches and community. Collectivism is neither Christian or American in its nature.

Many people, especially those under the age of 50, indoctrinated by government (public) schools and by the media, believe to one degree or another in the “goodness of collectivism.” These people, thinking they are informed, are tragically and dangerously ignorant and pool and share and spread their ignorance with others by way of the polls when they vote, through their political activity, by what they may publish and even from pulpits.

Johann von Goethe was right when he said, “Nothing is more terrible than ignorance in action.” The reality of this is is demonstrated by people who do not understand that socialism, communism and collectivism are all part and parcel of the same evil thing that has caused, and is on the verge of bringing about ,the fall of America.

Winston Churchill was right too, when he said, “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism (collectivism) is the equal sharing of misery.”

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