[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Originally Posted by Illuminate

Not if you're out doing your best looking for work. And I wish you the best of luck

But I can thank the taxpayers of my state for helping me through my plight.

[Regards]

Originally Posted by SlappedActor

It's the only conclusion to come to. And if it was such a great idea, it would have lasted longer before the church turned around and started taking advantage of its members. It was a crappy idea then, and it would be a crappy idea today.

Take my original post, replace "religious authorities" with "government authorities", and it's pretty much the exact same thing. I'm not an anarchist, I understand taxes and such things are necessary to effectively run a government, but as a general rule, the less money I have to give to the government, the better. If I decide I want to help my fellow man, it should be of my own volition, and not some stupid government mandate masquerading as "compassion."

What are you talking about? The only reason it didn't last longer was the intense persecution that happened when Nero took office, the church went into all kinds of disarray. It had nothing to do with the "church leaders."

[SlappedActor]

Originally Posted by Regards

What are you talking about? The only reason it didn't last longer was the intense persecution that happened when Nero took office, the church went into all kinds of disarray. It had nothing to do with the "church leaders."

I disagree, but the last thing I want to see is another non-religious thread turned into a religious argument for the millionth time on these forums, so I'm going to end things here, for the general welfare of the board.

[kurtpeachrings]

All I've gotten out of this thread was Paris Hilton.

[rawspinner]

Originally Posted by Kurt Retenauer

All I've gotten out of this thread was Paris Hilton.

I lub joo.

[Praetor]

I like it, but the economic calculation problem troubles me.

[Regards]

Originally Posted by SlappedActor

I disagree, but the last thing I want to see is another non-religious thread turned into a religious argument for the millionth time on these forums, so I'm going to end things here, for the general welfare of the board.

Haha, it isn't a religious debate, its history, but that's fine; do what you've got to do.

[The Indigo]

Originally Posted by Illuminate

I don't think everyone has the ability to earn 100k a year, however I do believe that capitalism is a more fair system financially for Americans than Socialism

How so? It's already been pointed out that people unfortunate enough to have been born into poverty have a much harder time achieving financial security than those who weren't.

[inthemidst]

Originally Posted by rawspinner

32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Acts 4: 32-35

Good call. One could dream, right?

[inthemidst]

Originally Posted by rawspinner

Ya I can see your point, but you have to realize that there is a huge distinction between the "religious" authorities during the early church and the religious authorities now. The apostles were not distant from the group and were actively involved in the community and part of the community sharing in meals, helping the widows, etc. t's a lot harder nowadays though because congregations can be larger and it's probably a lot easier for the pastor or minister to fall into the trap of building up a wall between themselves and the congregation, although I believe in God's plan, there is no social distinction.
But it can exist today and pretty amazingly. Just check out The Simple Way in Philly. Shane Claiborne probably has some really insightful stuff to say on the matter. And Aaron from mewithoutYou spent some time there to I believe.

Of course, I'm not saying that nations need to convert to Christianity and establish these sort of practives, heavens, no. Heck, I would probably even major Christian communities don't practice this as disciplined as they should or could. But I think that within a faith community, it was interesting that God really blessed them when they were completely transparent, honest, faithfull, and generous with what was "theirs".

Shane Claiborne is great. Although I may not agree with all of his ideologies, I still find them insightful and revolutionary. Have you read Jesus for President or Irresistible Revolution?

[rawspinner]

Originally Posted by inthemidst

Shane Claiborne is great. Although I may not agree with all of his ideologies, I still find them insightful and revolutionary. Have you read Jesus for President or Irresistible Revolution?

I haven't yet, although I think my friends saw him speak at Urbana this year. I acutally saw him on a segment for healthcare by CNN. He had some cool stuff to say there too.

[inthemidst]

Originally Posted by rawspinner

I haven't yet, although I think my friends saw him speak at Urbana this year. I acutally saw him on a segment for healthcare by CNN. He had some cool stuff to say there too.

I HIGHLY recommend reading both books, especially Jesus for President. Really enlightening stuff.

He came here to Jacksonville last month, I think. I didn't know until he was already gone. Oh well...

[rawspinner]

Originally Posted by inthemidst

Good call. One could dream, right?

Ya, there are aspects of waiting for that to happen again when JC comes, but we can still try to recreate that now. Even at my campus fellowship we've been taking steps to be more of a community than an organization, and I think people have had vast changes in how they view and experience the Kingdom of God, for the better.

[inthemidst]

Originally Posted by rawspinner

Ya, there are aspects of waiting for that to happen again why JC comes, but even doing the most to do that now. Even at my campus fellowship we've been taking steps to be more of a community than an organization, and I think people have had vast changes in how they view and experience the Kingdom of God, for the better.

That's really admirable man. It really is. It's tough down here; it seems that I'm in the extreme minority when it comes to that particular subject. I really think with enough prayer, and imagination, we can make God's dream for the world a reality. It's just hard in a world that calls it "unrealistic".

[Theseventhson]

Originally Posted by Machu505

There aren't many things I want more of than "sharing the wealth", if that's how you want to simplify it.

I second this post.