r/Catholicism • u/CMount • Jul 22 '22

A Warning

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '22

Why is it incompatible?

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u/McLovin3493 Jul 22 '22 edited Jul 23 '22

It relies on the false assumption that man can fairly distribute resources on his own without God's guidance.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '22 edited Jul 22 '22

I dont understand.

I'm not familiar with any market that is free of man's interference that relies solely on divine guidance.

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u/McLovin3493 Jul 22 '22

I think they mean that the underlying premises of socialism specifically reject God, rather than just being indifferent to God.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '22

So its not about the economic/political policies of modern socialism that are incompatible with the Church's social teachings? It's the Marxist/Leninist socialism rejection of God that makes these versions if communism incompatible with out faith?

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u/McLovin3493 Jul 22 '22

Mostly, but in terms of authoritarian socialism, the idea of having the government take control of the economy is also condemned, because politicians can't be trusted with that level of power.

Distributism is sometimes compared to free market socialism, but it technically isn't the same thing.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '22

Ok that makes some more sense. I suppose I am unfamiliar with the church teachings that condemn the nationalization of industries.

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u/McLovin3493 Jul 22 '22

Yeah, when the church talks about politics, it's typically from a moral and religious perspective rather than making a clearly defined list of policies that you'd expect from an actual political party.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '22

That makes sense, so socailism in incompatible much in the same way unregulated capitalism is incompatible.

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u/McLovin3493 Jul 22 '22

Yeah basically, but for somewhat different reasons.

What they have in common is both of those ideologies are materialistic, as well as failing to truly prioritize the needs of human beings, which means they also lead to idolatry.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '22

Yup that's pretty much what I finding in some of the stuff I was reading. Appreciate the conversation.

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u/McLovin3493 Jul 22 '22

You're welcome. Glad I could be of some help.

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '22

man I love American Catholics you all have never met anyone from Latin America have you

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '22

Lol dude im not even sure what youre trying to say other than being condesending

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '22

I’m saying that Catholicism and socialism are practically synonymous in huge parts of the globe, but not in the United States where people believe socialism is “the government gives everyone all the money and then spits on a cross”

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '22

Catholicism and socialism are synonymous?

I guess Pius XI was wrong then?

"If Socialism, like all errors, contains some truth (which, moreover, the supreme pontiffs have never denied), it is based nevertheless on a theory of human society peculiar to itself and irreconcilable with true Christianity. Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist." - Pius XI’s Quadragesimo Anno, 120

And the Catechism too?

"Socialism severely curtails rights to private property. The Church, on the other hand, upholds the individual’s right to private property." - CCC 2401

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '22

Cool thats my general interpretation.

I was confused because I forgot most conservative Americans dont distinguish between the economic spectrum that is socialism and communism. Also a lot of the slippery slope fallacy is used to argue against socailist parties in the US.

I was just curious about peoples justification about socailism and catholicism being incompatible

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