Have you heard the persistently advocated Republican/Libertarian message that the evils of socialism will ruin the United States? It should be understood that the originator of that belief was a worshiper of selfishness, a very hard-working advocate of the first demon's message. Her name was Ayn Rand.
So why aren't we hearing debates on the evils of insurance? Shouldn't there be a law requiring drivers to have car insurance? Why is social justice and social responsibility evil? If State required car insurance is morally justifiable, then why is State mandated health insurance labeled socialism? Isn't Social Security just an efficient, very reasonable, government-run insurance policy?
The Truth about the Wall Street Bailout: How "Free Market Capitalism" Really Works. Nader and Chomsky Explain the Game, a Nanny State to Take Care of the Rich:
I must point out, in harmony with the testimonies above, that the theology of Ellen G. White, the prophetic voice of early Seventh-day Adventism, was definitely socialistic.
EGW wrote:
The Lord would place a check upon the inordinate love of property and power. Great evils would result from the continued accumulation of wealth by one class, and the poverty and degradation of another. Without some restraint the power of the wealthy would become a monopoly, and the poor, though in every respect fully as worthy in God's sight, would be regarded and treated as inferior to their more prosperous brethren. The sense of this oppression would arouse the passions of the poorer class. There would be a feeling of despair and desperation which would tend to demoralize society and open the door to crimes of every description. The regulations that God established were designed to promote social equality. The provisions of the sabbatical year and the jubilee would, in a great measure, set right that which during the interval had gone wrong in the social and political economy of the nation. {PP 534.3}
These regulations were designed to bless the rich no less than the poor. They would restrain avarice and a disposition for self-exaltation, and would cultivate a noble spirit of benevolence; and by fostering good will and confidence between all classes, they would promote social order, the stability of government. We are all woven together in the great web of humanity, and whatever we can do to benefit and uplift others will reflect in blessing upon ourselves. The law of mutual dependence runs through all classes of society. The poor are not more dependent upon the rich than are the rich upon the poor. While the one class ask a share in the blessings which God has bestowed upon their wealthier neighbors, the other need the faithful service, the strength of brain and bone and muscle, that are the capital of the poor. {PP 534.4}
There are many who urge with great enthusiasm that all men should have an equal share in the temporal blessings of God. But this was not the purpose of the Creator. A diversity of condition is one of the means by which God designs to prove and develop character. Yet He intends that those who have worldly possessions shall regard themselves merely as stewards of His goods, as entrusted with means to be employed for the benefit of the suffering and the needy. {PP 535.2}
Christ has said that we shall have the poor always with us, and He unites His interest with that of His suffering people. The heart of our Redeemer sympathizes with the poorest and lowliest of His earthly children. He tells us that they are His representatives on earth. He has placed them among us to awaken in our hearts the love that He feels toward the suffering and oppressed. Pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted by Christ as if shown to Himself. An act of cruelty or neglect toward them is regarded as though done to Him. {PP 535.3}
If the law given by God for the benefit of the poor had continued to be carried out, how different would be the present condition of the world, morally, spiritually, and temporally! Selfishness and self-importance would not be manifested as now, but each would cherish a kind regard for the happiness and welfare of others; and such widespread destitution as is now seen in many lands would not exist. {PP 536.1}
The principles which God has enjoined, would prevent the terrible evils that in all ages have resulted from the oppression of the rich toward the poor and the suspicion and hatred of the poor toward the rich. While they might hinder the amassing of great wealth and the indulgence of unbounded luxury, they would prevent the consequent ignorance and degradation of tens of thousands whose ill-paid servitude is required to build up these colossal fortunes. They would bring a peaceful solution of those problems that now threaten to fill the world with anarchy and bloodshed. {PP 536.2}
It should also be noted that John the Baptist was definitely a socialist.
Luke 3
10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”
Here's the spirit of the libertarian tea party:
Tea Partiers Mock And Scorn Apparent Parkinson's Victim
Ellen G. White wrote:
The sense of this oppression would arouse the passions of the poorer class. There would be a feeling of despair and desperation which would tend to demoralize society and open the door to crimes of every description. The regulations that God established were designed to promote social equality. PP 534.
It's amusing that capuchin monkeys understand the injustice of inequity in society (unequal pay for equal work, for instance) and that many Christians refuse to understand what these monkeys understand:
Is it true that the unbelievably evil Koch brothers successfully seduced La Sierra University into teaching the Koch's version of the first demon's message?
War on Error wrote:I truly wonder how many of the independent minded, freedom loving, even insurrection tempted libertarians realize they are just puppets dancing and singing to the whims and wishes of their musical master puppeteers, David and Charles Koch? -- Koch Brothers Influence Peddling, Is Your Alma Mater on the List?
In the cited report above, dated Fri Aug 09, 2013, it appears that the Koch brothers gave $30.5 million to 221 universities through their charitable foundations for the teaching of the Kochs’ version of libertarianism. It’s interesting that La Sierra University is on their list. Why is it that the Seventh-day Adventist church isn’t resisting the three demon’s messages and in the case of the first demon’s message, that a major Seventh-day Adventist institution can be bribed to teach it for a mere $17,500?
Robert Greenwald's "Koch Brothers Exposed" - What's so great about the following documentary is that it has a few scenes showing how incredibly evil the Koch brothers truly are.
