Jesus wants higher taxes!

[talkie]

Jesus of course kept open alot of free will throughout his teachings, many of which were instructions rather than forcings. However, one could argue from the following basis. That Christians have an individual responsibility to care for the poor etc, that this also then extents to a group responsibility among Christians and that their efforts are better served by centralised means, eg taxation.

Another e.g. the church?


Of course the bible was written by men and their interpretation of what Jesus preached does suit the church.

The church has gained alot from the generousity of followers if all christian societies were socialist the catholic church wouldn't be quite as rich as it is (and in the past as powerful).

[johnfás]

Jesus of course kept open alot of free will throughout his teachings, many of which were instructions rather than forcings. However, one could argue from the following basis. That Christians have an individual responsibility to care for the poor etc, that this also then extents to a group responsibility among Christians and that their efforts are better served by centralised means, eg taxation.

Another e.g. the church?

Yea the Church is another plausible example of how Christians can come together to better serve their efforts. This of course is not the primary function of the church in the literal and biblically intended sense, if one does construct such a body from the teachings within the bible... all very complex theology. By that I mean that there is not necessarily the basis for a "church" or "the church" per se within scripture. The primary justification for the existance of "the church" is as the basis for a fellowship of believers and cooperation among them. This obviously led to the establishment of the church, a body of cooperation made up of believers. Whether an alternative organisation reflecting the biblical ideal is creatable is a subject for theological debate.

Of course the bible was written by men and their interpretation of what Jesus preached does suit the church.

True, it was written by men, and there are also questions about the precise timing of when stuff was written etc. However, it is important to remember that they are questions, rather than definitive and also that there was a strong oral tradition at the time and in that context writing the history of it 70 years after is not as big an issue as some like to make out. From a non conspiracy theorist point of view, at Nicea the main reason the gospel books that were chosen to be in the bible were chosen is they were the longest standing and most widespreadly used - rather than other motives.

The church has gained alot from the generousity of followers if all christian societies were socialist the catholic church wouldn't be quite as rich as it is (and in the past as powerful).

Agreed. And unfortunately in some cases still does hold great negative clout such as the prevention of the distribution of condoms in some areas of Africa.