"Each according to his abilities" is biblical in origin..heads up

[Peacetrain]

The McCain Palin Bushbot republicans are grasping at straws with the "Each according to his abilities" quote from Marx.


Joe Biden did an excellent job of asking if that reporter was kidding, but I wish he would have hit her with the source of that statement. Of course Obama has never used that, but the right wing fundies are not biblical scholars, and use political jargon in place of biblical teaching..but that is for another area..

If you come across that, from people in RL, you can remind them, that Karl Marx was more than a little light fingered when it came to lifting text for his own book.

The origin of that is actually in ACTS in the Bible.

Using that King James version so loved by the fundies (and so often incorrect in translation)

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

The New American Standard translation:

27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

[sampsonblk]

1. Good catch - Also add this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_each_according_to_his_ability_to_each_according_to_his_need


And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45)
...

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold 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. (Acts 4:34-35)

[fed_up_mother]

2. I'm afraid that's a bit of a stretch

Marx's statement "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" basically means that people will work according to their ability, but only receive what they need.

That statement was about voluntarily giving to a charity based on what they thought they could afford.

The bible is filled with admonitions to take care of the poor and needy. It has many statements on social justice. We don't need to use bad interpretation to make our point. The bible says more about social justice than just about any other topic, frankly.

[Peacetrain]

3. Not at all.. each disciple gave according to his ability

for the need of the famine or needs.. If I wanted to prove Socialism, I would have said Paul.. and his admonitions ..


The fact that Marx light fingered the Bible to try and make a point on something else.. government charity if you will..

Acts is part of Paul, but Pauls admonitions to sell everything to do away with private property as it were.. hmmmmm

edit for putting in the word said to clarify

[fed_up_mother]

4. But each made his own decision about how much he was going to give

based on what he thought he could afford. It's a quote on charity, not forced giving.

The other quotes from another poster are much better for your point, although there was still no coercion involved. The early Christians freely chose to live in those communities, and then chose to abide by the rules.

As I said, there are so many other quotes on social justice in the bible to use - and with grave warnings for those who didn't take care of the the poor, Including the entire society.

[Peacetrain]

6. You are missing my point...

That Marx, used Biblical quotes and ideas to try an prove his theory. The fundies do the same thing with Matthew..fifteenth verse maybe... and the parable of talents.. each according to his needs. to try and prove those their point of view.. to try an prove that the rich who make more are more blessed, even when it goes against Biblical quotes

People trying to pull out a quote from Marx and stick it on Obama, who has never said such a thing.. are the doing the same thing.. Kapish!.. :)

[fed_up_mother]

5. Let me add this:

Conservative christians tend to think only about "personal sin" including whether or not the person is giving to charity.

However, if you read the "Old Testament" it is clear that the jews believed in "personal" and "corporate" sin. In other words, God cared about whether the community was just - not just the individual. I think that's one reason why Jews tend to be more progressive. However, progressive christians also realize that we shouldn't throw away the entire body of scripture that deals with social justice - just because most of it is in the Old Testament.

I hope that makes sense.

[Peacetrain]

8. Fed Up ..see my post 6 I think.. we maybe talking at cross purpoes here

:hi: It would help if I could count.. edit for correct post number

[fed_up_mother]

10. Back at you. :)

:hi:

[Uzybone]

7. It doesnt matter

Neither Biden nor Obama are anything close to Marxists.

[Peacetrain]

9. Exactly.. that is right!!