Sunday, October 14, 2012

Be Christian, Buy Christian?

Today is Saturday, 13 October 2012.

Lenny Bruce was born on this date in 1924.
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I find the term "Christian business" baffling at best, and consciously mendacious at worst.  (These are businesses allegedly conducted in accord with "Christian principles", and which frequently advertise the hell out of the "fact".  Cf. the ubiquitous "fish" brand.)

However, nowhere in the New Testament do I find any mention of Jesus baptizing Chariots Inc. or Coliseum LLC (let alone the Roman Empire, a predecessor to the United States Empire).  Nor do I find any indication of Jesus charging for the miraculous loaves and fishes, nor for raising the dead, nor for healing lepers. 

I also find no instance where Jesus promised financial prosperity in exchange for "love gifts" sent to JC Mega-Ministries, Box 3, Temple Mount Station, Jerusalem.

Indeed, in Acts 2.34-35 (RSV) we are told:  "And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need."  In Acts 4.32 (RSV):  "Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common."  In Acts 4.34-35 (RSV):  "There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. "

In the technical term, the first believers, including many who had known Jesus intimately, practiced "primitive communism".  

In other words, a "Christian business" is merely an ordinary business owned and operated by a Christian, along non-Christian capitalist principles.

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