While in college, I did Economics via University of London (external). One of the most interesting classes (Organization Theory) was taught by the learned Mr. Baldev. I remembered some of his lessons though I forgot almost everything else in class.
He explained to us the evils of Western hegemony against the environment, dehumanizing effects of industrialization that reduce people to cogs of the Machine, how corporate giants like Exxon exploit poor Third World countries and language used as tool to legitimize oppression…
As someone who has not much conviction on such issues, I was nonetheless surprised when he asked the class, “Imagine if Karl Marx never said religion is the opium of the masses, do you think Christians will oppose Communism?”
He asked this after expounding on the socialist ideals of state intervention to distribute resources equally, sharing possessions to liberate the oppressed etc.
Which Christian would object to that? Correct?
As a charismatic ‘Jesus freak’ that time, I didn’t know what to make of it.
My entire social context was Malaysian-style capitalism, which for better or worse, allowed my parents to save up enough for my education. I’m quite thankful for it.
Some of my friends who had leftist leanings felt tremendous guilt for having tasted the benefits of this system. I suspect pursuing radical causes may somehow serve to ease the conscience for having been born in a well-off condition.
At the moment, I’d probably answer my learned lecturer that Christians do have some reasons to oppose communism even if Marx is a Bible-believer.
His view of humanity neglected their fallen nature.
If I reaped 10 bushels of wheat while my neighbor reaped only 2, each of us would take home only one bushel after helping ten other people who didn’t work for some reasons.
The natural tendency is to think, “Why should I toil if I’d get 1 bushel of wheat anyway?”
Communist countries like Soviet Union and China were not exactly models of freedom, prosperity and equity. When the state has absolute control over politics and economy, totalitarianism and oppression follow.
We can’t help the poor if there is no economic growth. It’s as simple as that.
If there is no incentive for creativity and effort, no freedom for people to take risks and invest, leading to wealth creation, we offer the poor nothing but empty slogans.
I’d not claim that capitalism is taught in the bible. (At the same time, wishing a socialist utopia is not confused with the Kingdom of God)
But there are certain free market principles that seem consistent with Scripture, which calls us to be stewards of resources on earth. It also commends diligence, just weights and measures, prohibits theft of others’ property, affirms private ownership and promises long term economic wealth to the godly. The Lord also commands us to show compassion and help the oppressed by helping them get up on their feet.
As a relatively good tool, capitalism has a proven record in generating wealth for a huge population. It’s not perfect. If total secularism and materialism take over, it may even collapse without universal standards of integrity, trust, honesty in the marketplace.
But at least, “a half plate of capitalist ‘nasi goreng’ is better than a full plate promised by idealists who never delivered.”
PS: How ironic that Christians who call for “liberation” do so in UK and US where there’s probably more of it than anywhere else in the world? Let’s try it closer to home in Malaysia or Singapore...
He explained to us the evils of Western hegemony against the environment, dehumanizing effects of industrialization that reduce people to cogs of the Machine, how corporate giants like Exxon exploit poor Third World countries and language used as tool to legitimize oppression…
As someone who has not much conviction on such issues, I was nonetheless surprised when he asked the class, “Imagine if Karl Marx never said religion is the opium of the masses, do you think Christians will oppose Communism?”
He asked this after expounding on the socialist ideals of state intervention to distribute resources equally, sharing possessions to liberate the oppressed etc.
Which Christian would object to that? Correct?
As a charismatic ‘Jesus freak’ that time, I didn’t know what to make of it.
My entire social context was Malaysian-style capitalism, which for better or worse, allowed my parents to save up enough for my education. I’m quite thankful for it.
Some of my friends who had leftist leanings felt tremendous guilt for having tasted the benefits of this system. I suspect pursuing radical causes may somehow serve to ease the conscience for having been born in a well-off condition.
At the moment, I’d probably answer my learned lecturer that Christians do have some reasons to oppose communism even if Marx is a Bible-believer.
His view of humanity neglected their fallen nature.
If I reaped 10 bushels of wheat while my neighbor reaped only 2, each of us would take home only one bushel after helping ten other people who didn’t work for some reasons.
The natural tendency is to think, “Why should I toil if I’d get 1 bushel of wheat anyway?”
Communist countries like Soviet Union and China were not exactly models of freedom, prosperity and equity. When the state has absolute control over politics and economy, totalitarianism and oppression follow.
We can’t help the poor if there is no economic growth. It’s as simple as that.
If there is no incentive for creativity and effort, no freedom for people to take risks and invest, leading to wealth creation, we offer the poor nothing but empty slogans.
I’d not claim that capitalism is taught in the bible. (At the same time, wishing a socialist utopia is not confused with the Kingdom of God)
But there are certain free market principles that seem consistent with Scripture, which calls us to be stewards of resources on earth. It also commends diligence, just weights and measures, prohibits theft of others’ property, affirms private ownership and promises long term economic wealth to the godly. The Lord also commands us to show compassion and help the oppressed by helping them get up on their feet.
As a relatively good tool, capitalism has a proven record in generating wealth for a huge population. It’s not perfect. If total secularism and materialism take over, it may even collapse without universal standards of integrity, trust, honesty in the marketplace.
But at least, “a half plate of capitalist ‘nasi goreng’ is better than a full plate promised by idealists who never delivered.”
PS: How ironic that Christians who call for “liberation” do so in UK and US where there’s probably more of it than anywhere else in the world? Let’s try it closer to home in Malaysia or Singapore...
Comments