Episode 90: Christian Socialism? Matt McManus, lecturer in Political Science
Socialism means 'bad', right? That's what many of our churches assume. Whenever anyone suggests Socialism as an option, many Christians have a set of anti-Socialist questions locked and loaded, ready to fire. We decided to put some of them to an expert. The guy who wrote this.
To many of us, Socialism is really just a system of making sure nobody is left behind, of controlling greed and making sure it doesn't result in needless suffering. It's not a perfect system/ideology (and there are many variations, versions and expressions), but if you've ever felt like the Capitalist system most of us live under is not working, this episode may be for you.
In it, we talk to Matt McManus, a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Michigan, and ask him for his responses to the most common Christian chestnuts (roasting on an open fire) that make Socialism out to be the devil.
Classic anti-Socialist questions we ask in this episode:
What about 'If you will not work you will not eat'?
Isn't forcing people to be generous bad?
Shouldn't Christians and churches help the poor rather than governments?
Without the threat of poverty, won't people be lazy?
If society got better, how would hte Church witness?
Matt helps us understand Socialism, the long and rich history of Christian Socialism, and some potential answers to common objections to Socialism, while having a beer with Jonty. Malky and Laura were either unavailable or have become filthy capitalists. Let us know what you think.
Check out Matt McManus' writing for Jacobin magazine and his book, The Political Right and Equality.
You can listen to Episode 90 anywhere: on your knees licking the boots of oligarchs; in a political party, working and waiting patiently for reform to bring justice and equality for those who do society’s work; within the glorious movement to seize the means of production; or right here…
Follow Matt McManus on Twitter. Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter.
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Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, anti-imperialist, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.
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Other things…
Malky’s design work has graced many good magazines and music videos. You can find his stuff and even commission him if he’s not too busy, here. Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not literature but it’s quite fun if you like Supernatural, Africa or the Goth scene. Jonty’s other Op Ed writing is all over the internet and old print publications, but the most recent stuff ranges from churchy puff pieces to political commentary for Premier Christianity. Some of his older stuff is still up here at HuffPo UK (RIP). Laura doesn’t need your business or attention, but you should follow her on Twitter.
We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be, while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.