Christian socialism: Encyclopedia - Christian socialism

Christian socialism

Socialism

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Christian socialism
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Christian socialism generally refers to those on the Christian left whose politics are both Christian and socialist and who see these two things as being interconnected, perhaps because one derives from the other. Broadly speaking, this category can include Liberation theology and the doctrine of the social gospel. The term "Christian Socialism" is used in this sense by organizations such as the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM), a specifically Christian grouping affiliated with the British Labour Party. The term also pertains to such earlier figures as the nineteenth century writer Frederick Denison Maurice (The Kingdom of Christ, 1838) and Francis Bellamy — Baptist minister and author of the United States' Pledge of Allegiance.

A number of Christian socialist movements and political parties throughout the world group themselves into the International League of Religious Socialists. It has member organizations in 21 countries representing 200,000 members.

Christian socialists draw parallels between what some have characterized as the egalitarian and anti-establishment message of Jesus, who certainly spoke against the religious authorities of his time, and the egalitarian, anti-establishment, and sometimes anti-clerical message of most contemporary socialisms. Some Christian Socialists have gone as far as to become active Communists (see Christian communism). This phenomenon was most common among Christian missionaries in China, the most notable being James Gareth Endicott, who became supportive of the struggle of the Chinese Communist Party in the 1930s and 1940s.

Christian socialism is not to be confused with certain parties with "Christian Social" in their names which are found in the German-speaking world, such as the contemporary Christian Social Union in Bavaria or the Christian Social Party in Austria-Hungary circa 1900; their politics would not typically be considered socialist, despite the name. The term Christian democrat is more appropriately applied to the contemporary parties.

Christian socialism - Christian socialist parties

• Democracia Popular, largest party in Ecuador
• Social Christians (Italy)
• Christian Left Party (Chile)

See also

• Christian anarchism
• Christian left
• Christian communism
• Christian politics (index)
• Christian socialists

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Christian socialism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki