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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Foundational Principle of a Civilized Society
It goes this way: "From each, according to abilities; To each, according to needs." That's both biblical and a core value of communism. It applies in all sane societies. Children and the elderly, along with the disabled, are supported by the entire society. We were all once children, will some day be aged, and may be disabled at any time.
This is the principle of all societies I call civilized. Societies that do not follow this, and individuals who do not understand it are, I believe, uncivilized. None of us is born with the ability to care for ourselves. We are raised by our parents, taught by our society, and take our places as adults to continue the cycle.
If we are lucky, we live until old age, at which time we are no longer able to survive on our own in many cases. We rely on our children and the society we were part of to help us with our needs. If, as too often happens, we become disabled, we depend, again, on society to ease our disability and help us live decent lives.
If we are impatient with our aged parents or people who cannot care for themselves adequately, we need to remember our helplessness as children and our future disabilities as aged people or victims of disabling accidents or illness. If we remember these things, we will act as civilized people and do what we can to assist.
None of us are productive and useful throughout our lives. Many of us cannot meet our own needs. As a society, we can help everyone in our own society to survive and contribute as they are able. Those who are able must aid those who are not. That is what separates us from societies that simply abandon those who cannot care for themselves.
That is why we have schools for all and why we should have health care for all. That is why we must not look at those less able than ourselves as a burden. We may all, if we are lucky, live to be less able ourselves. Being mindful of this will keep us on the right track and make our society better.
Please pardon my impertinence in bringing this up.
elleng
(130,895 posts)SHOW THEM from whence in the Bible this comes, please.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)It can be found in the book of Acts, Chapter 4, beginning with verse 34., though, and is echoed in Acts, Chapter 2, verses 44 and onward. Acts is not a usual part of regular Bible reading for most people. You can find its origins in the early verses of Matthew, as well, but not in those exact words. It is expressed in many different words, and in many different scriptural and philosophical works, but can be condensed to what I wrote.
elleng
(130,895 posts)I do think many/most need the lesson to be 'drilled' in.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I did have to look them up, though. At one time, I would have known them from memory, but it has been a while since I regularly read the Bible.
elleng
(130,895 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)usually provide references without looking them up. In my life, I've read the entire thing multiple times as part of my education, and have an excellent memory. Still, I can't come up with chapter and verse numbers without the Internet, and thank goodness it exists.
The Bible is a useful thing for finding common principles that apply in most civilizations. The more such works one reads, regardless of the particular religion, the more of this commonality you find. For me, that means that societies find what works and institutionalize it through religion or philosophy. Most of it is common sense, if one really thinks about it.
Wilms
(26,795 posts)And I did not find it impertinent.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I am moved to write this because my wife's mother is in the hospital, after a fall and 6 broken ribs. She's 87 years old. It's inconvenient for my wife and I, and is interfering with our work. However, she is my wife's mother, and we have a duty to make her the priority right now, as she did for my wife when she was a child.
She will be OK, but it will be a long healing process. When I am tempted to become impatient, I remind myself of what I wrote above. It also helps me think about others in need.
Wilms
(26,795 posts)Breathing and knowing I was doing what I must and ultimately wanted made it a lot easier. And yes, pondering our shared penchant for disability as I went along.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)We all will.
Rex
(65,616 posts)And Jesus said to give unto Caesar, so no you are wrong.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)The references are in a post upthread.
Rex
(65,616 posts)Just change communism with the world socialism and you might be on to something. I know they are similar, but still not the same beast.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I've been studying this stuff all my life.
Rex
(65,616 posts)You got them mixed up, sorry.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)As I said, go read Acts. The principle also exists in other scriptures from other religions. That's because it is a core good. Religions reflect societies, not the other way around.
'Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.'
Rex
(65,616 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)We cannot help everyone personally. The society can act on our behalf, if it is a civilized society. We contribute to that effort.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)It is far older than any western society.
Rex
(65,616 posts)Sorry, I thougth you might know who originated that saying and belief system in modern times. My bad. I guess the Communist Manifesto and the Bible have similarities. Since I've never compared the two, I will leave it to your study.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)Acts 4:34
that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
Acts 4:35
and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Rex
(65,616 posts)Kinda the opposite in todays world of 80 people owning half of all the worlds wealth.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)There is always time to change the road we are on. Always time.
MineralMan
(146,288 posts)It's a matter of discovering them. This one is an easy one to find. There are many more, and not just in the Bible, but in all ancient scriptures. I've found that of great interest since I was a teenager, and have been finding such parallels ever since.
I know the Louis Blanc quote in French. I learned it at about 20 years of age. I won't bore you with all of the equivalents in ancient writings. Blanc was a well-educated man. He paraphrased nicely. I translated, but eliminated the gender-based language he used.
It's not a unique idea to Louis Blanc, by any means. His phrasing is one that is most often remembered, but there are many other versions of the same idea.