Limbaugh is a radio talk show host, he doesn't speak for the American People. The stark reality is given the cultural diversity and history of this country at this time capitalism is, with all of its faults, the best system we have for the American People. It allows for the greatest amount of personal freedom and liberty, which in turn allows us religious freedom.

We must remember America was founded by people who believed wealth=God's favor

Unfortunately, the American dream is not necessarily "in line" with orthodox christianity...Pope Benedict is more in line with orthodox christian thought...

This is from a document at the Library of Congress online:



So, which of the above defy Christianity, Orthodox or otherwise?

Debating about "The American Dream" is silly because, as Stuart already noted, anybody can come up with their own definition of what it means and then knock it down.

I think Scotty hits the nail squarely on the head when he notes that true capitalism is most ideal because it ensures the greatest amount of individual liberty.

Why is that important?

Check in on the thread about the government compelling Catholic and Orthodox institutions to fund abortion through their insurance. The bishops are now decrying the violation of their liberty in the pulpit of our churches.

Do I really need to put all these pieces together?

Once your money is taken from you, where do you presume the Department of Health and Human Services is going to "redistribute" it?

Contrast that to the money that we *voluntarily* give to our Churches. That money is indeed redistributed as well, and in a manner that is, in fact, in line with Christian teaching.

Redistribution of wealth is Christian when it is done voluntarily via the Church - not when it is done under compulsion of a secular State.

This was the precise point of the book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber. The Calvinists need a way to assure themselves of being one of the "elect." The idea they came up with was the same idea that the Jews had -- money and wealth equals God's favor and being among the elect.

That instead of Matthew 25, which passage was read in church on this past Meatfare Sunday.

We are told to give our money away, keeping only enough to sustain our lives in relative comfort. Capitalism teaches us to desire as much money as we can get, hoard, and keep. Those who don't have money -- well, too bad for them.

A lot of folks who spent a lifetime leaning on wealth for security and a sense of God's favor are going to find themselves dreadfully wrong at the Judgment of Christ.

You can only give what you have earned.

I think you are ignoring the last part of my post:

Of course, Weber was simplistic and reductionist, and his hypothesis has been generally discounted by most historians, sociologists and even theologians. But don't let that stop you.

^ Excellent point. Weber neglected to research any early Puritan writings and instead based his whole body of research on English Protestant writings produced from the mid 1800's and later. Fairness must be extended when it's due, and the early New England Puritans heartily condemned usury and the pursuit of money for the sake of money.