Nobody knows what the real Jesus said. Should we consider all of the books not included in the Bible, not to mention all of the many, diverse versions of the Gospels? That being the case, we can only speak of Christianity as it has been practiced, in many cases as an ideological underpinning of the ruling class, in others as a beacon for the oppressed to justify their struggle. If there is Pope Benedict, there is also Martin Luther King, there is Liberation Theology.
So, nobody can make the claim the Christianity is practical socialism. That is either simplistic or, worse, opportunistic propaganda. One can be a socialist and Christian, but they are not a tautology, as the writer seems to be arguing.
Yes, the essay is pretty stupid. I can't imagine why it's on the MR website.
--- On Fri, 12/26/08, MICHAEL YATES <mikedjyates at msn.com> wrote:
> From: MICHAEL YATES <mikedjyates at msn.com>
> Subject: [lbo-talk] bertell ollman article
> To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
> Date: Friday, December 26, 2008, 8:10 AM
> Bertell Ollman has an essay on mrzine (www.mrzine.org)
> titled Socialism is Practical
> Christianity. I thought the essay was pretty stupid. If
> anyone is interested, I'd like
> to know your view of it.
>
> Michael Yates
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk