Jereth
"Voluntary redistribution of wealth is workable in a Christian community because it arises from love and concern for brothers and sisters. The greater the love, the more is given."

These are admirable sentiments Jereth but better than a dependence on voluntary redistribution of wealth is an economic system that works to the benefit of the many not the few in creating equal opportunities and access, as well as limiting opportunities for exploitation.

You make an assumption that Christianity develops this sense of love and concern - it may certainly for some, but does not always.

It is not reliable if taken on faith alone and means that a whole group of vulnerable people are at the mercy of that goodwill (or lack of). For example sweat shops are highly exploitative and result in a group of working poor, who is protecting those people?

Sometimes the fact is governments who work for the people (in their best form) are better at achieving this balance.

This is not the same as socialism in forcing the distribution of wealth but protects the rights of others to earn a living wage.

Bill, maaaaaate.

Christians are no more conscientious than any other people, perhaps you meant to write "contentious" instead?

If so, that would make more sense as you prefer to pontificate to other Christians how they should vote.

Now, I am going to tell you something that you may not be aware of, Christians are no more 'special' than anyone else.

I hope you were sitting down when you read that. LOL

You are as subject to drought, floods, illness, car accidents, criminal acts, hay fever, losing, earth quakes, fire storms, burglaries and birth and death just like the rest of us.

Tell me, do you have any form of insurance? House? Contents? Health? Car? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you're not really truly faithful to your Lord are you?

You might want to take a gander at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m12mZiiaWuw&feature=bulletin

And you might want to consider which political party's policies are concerned with the long term welfare of not only Australia but its part in this world, or as you would put it - creation.

"Christians! It's all about them!"

Rhian; you point out that:

“As you know, “from each according to his ability...” is from the Communist Manifesto, not the bible”

But there is this also:

Acts 2:45 And they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.

Acts 4:32-35 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_each_according_to_his_ability_to_each_according_to_his_need

Another issue re: distribution of wealth.

I have no problem with the principle of private property per se: in the right form.

But the destruction of Kevin Rudd basically followed as a consequence of the economic power of the mining giants. These people could afford a campaign going into the hundreds of millions to destroy Rudd; and force the government to back down.

That's money tat could have gone towards a National Disability Insurance Scheme, or a National Dental Scheme - Indeed both, and more besides!

Isn't there something wrong with this scenario? Where a small minority hold most of the wealth; and hence economic and political power?

But there are elderly Australians living in appalling conditions with appalling inadequate aged care facilities; People on lower incomes have trouble affording dental care; public hospitals are over-crowded; public education as grossly under-resourced as opposed to private schools; students and job seekers live in appalling poverty - and students are forced to supplement their income with part-time with - the problem of which is that they cannot get the most out of their studies? And pls note it is only the Greens who are arguing for an increase in Foreign Aid: and one need only look at the floods in Pakistan to see the need!

There's more. But what kind of Christian can support this state of affairs because they don't want to be 'co-ercive' in redistributing wealth from the rich to those in need?

So when Jesus heard these things. He said to him "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me."
LUKE 18:22

"For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
LUKE 18:25

Anyone doing this? I guess not, all still have a 'puter hummmm.

I love trees. I love the bush and I with my wife own a small backyard worm farm because I believe in doing your best to look after the environment. After all God made our beautiful environment but he also made us in his image. Therefore I feel it is incumbent to honor my fellow human beings with the respect they so deserve. I respect and honor my friends in the green party who are made in the image of God but my conscience would never allow me to vote for a party so bent on the destruction of humanity whether by abortion or euthanasia because that would mean I hate my brother and that I also hate God and I would not like to be party to such an alliance.