What is the Difference Between Socialism and Communism?

[American Patriot]

Religion was what the Founding Fathers brought over here. They all had various beliefs and attended various churches. They all - for the most part were Christian. Not Jewish, not Muslim, not Buddhist.

The basis of Capitalism existed before our country did.

In fact Capitalism is what led to the Revolutionary War. Not religion.

I am about as areligious as they come. I don't go to church, I don't follow any particular church belief system. I have no intention of going back to church for any reason (unless it is a wedding or a funeral).

I believe in Capitalism as a way for me to own property, items, things, buy material at a lower price because there is no one person that has a monopoly on the items I wish to buy.

If I want a boat, I can watch the market and see which one is cheaper but still has what I want - and if I am smart, pit that guy against another one that is similar to get them to lower their prices.

Has nothing at all to do with religion. I don't PRAY for lower prices. Giving my money to one merchant over another has absolutely zero to do with some deity or belief in a deity - or the lack thereof.

Religion plays NO part whatsoever in Capitalism. The MARKET plays a part... the "invisible hand" does not refer to God in economics, it refers to the public buying and selling, the laws of supply and demand.

There is NO religion in Capitalism.

Capitalism has existed for as long as people have been able to barter. LONG BEFORE religion "came into being" (assuming of course that you subscribe to the idea that people have been here since the stone age and before....)

However it wasn't until 1776 when a book by Adam Smith was published called "Wealth of nations" wherein he was able to describe the Market system and Capitalism in detail. The fact it was published that year has nothing whatsoever to do with the Revolutionary war per se. Nor for that matter that our founding fathers had any inkling of what it truly was themselves.

However, during the nearly 100 years that Europeans colonized the North American Continent Capitalism ran rampant. The idea of free trade with whomever they wished to trade was enticing, and gave them wealth they'd have never known in Jolly Old England.

In fact, they were becoming so wealthy the Crown decided to start taxing them, placing tariffs on nearly everything coming in and going out - just to be able to get some of that wealth. King George was no ignorant man. He wanted for himself and England the wealth these so-called Free colonists and really didn't like the idea of free trade.

The very idea these upstarts could get away with doing whatever the hell they wanted pissed him and the Parliament off to no end.

And yet, the word "Capitalism" really didn't even yet exist... but most definitely the idea of freedom of men DID exist.

Here's a little secret.... Greenies - those people who want you to believe we're destroying the atmosphere, ozone layer, rain forests, glaciers and creating global warming HATE CAPITALISM!

Why? Because FREEDOM gives us the ability to make things cheaper, and HAVE STUFF. They don't want you to have stuff. They want the government to dole these things out to you in small quantities (food, water, fire wood because you can't use coal or oil mind you).

Don't believe that??? Check out these 10 myths about Capitalism and look who wrote them:

http://www.ecoworld.com/business/top...now-about.html

Finally... let me say this...

Capitalism promotes, even cultivates reason, individualism, the right to pursue happiness, life and liberty. Religion(ism) promotes sacrifice, collectivism, the "public good".

I think an awful lot of Conservatives simply equate the two things without considering precisely what they are trying to say.

Religion didn't CREATE Capitalism any more than Capitalism created religion.

[zenbudda]

my point was that religion, specifically judeo-christian beliefs, have EVERYTHING to do with American capitalism. are you saying it doesn't? did you read the link i posted? i'm not sure i understand your other points in reference to how american economy was devised. the economy is DEEPLY rooted in judeo-christian "religious" beliefs. are you saying this is wrong?

[American Patriot]

my point was that religion, specifically judeo-christian beliefs, have EVERYTHING to do with American capitalism. are you saying it doesn't? did you read the link i posted? i'm not sure i understand your other points in reference to how american economy was devised. the economy is DEEPLY rooted in judeo-christian "religious" beliefs. are you saying this is wrong?

I am saying that Capitalism has NOTHING to do with religion in any form.

While it is most certainly a fact that our country was built on those particular Christian beliefs... Capitalism was already in this country long before this country was born.

The two might go hand in hand in some manner - and certainly Socialism and Communism do NOT care for religion in any form, that does not mean the two are either mutually exclusive NOR are they mutually inclusive either.