I must have read the Durants at some time at some time because I have regarded historical Jesus as a revolutionary socialist, perhaps the first communist in recorded history. I regret that too few 'progressives' of this age understand this beginning of Christianity, because to me, they confuse all the inequities of religious institutions with religion itself. This is the reverse of the Zen Koan to not confuse the finger pointing at the moon with the moon itself, where the moon is condemned because of the finger.
It is remarkable how frequently the Durants use language like "communist" and "socialist" when they describe the dispensation of Jesus Christ writing back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
It just goes to show how much our understanding of these words has been eroded by a half century of propaganda.
Professor Michael Hudson often relates how during Karl Marx's time, socialism was a widespread topic and included many different kinds of socialisms, ie, Christian Socialism, Utopian Socialism, et al. Marx called his vision 'communism' to differentiate his thinking from so many others (and because he emphasized proletariat ownership of the means of production).
I must have read the Durants at some time at some time because I have regarded historical Jesus as a revolutionary socialist, perhaps the first communist in recorded history. I regret that too few 'progressives' of this age understand this beginning of Christianity, because to me, they confuse all the inequities of religious institutions with religion itself. This is the reverse of the Zen Koan to not confuse the finger pointing at the moon with the moon itself, where the moon is condemned because of the finger.
It is remarkable how frequently the Durants use language like "communist" and "socialist" when they describe the dispensation of Jesus Christ writing back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
It just goes to show how much our understanding of these words has been eroded by a half century of propaganda.
Professor Michael Hudson often relates how during Karl Marx's time, socialism was a widespread topic and included many different kinds of socialisms, ie, Christian Socialism, Utopian Socialism, et al. Marx called his vision 'communism' to differentiate his thinking from so many others (and because he emphasized proletariat ownership of the means of production).
I thought I'd heard every single of Dr. Hudson's greatest hits, but I don't recall that one, Tedder.
It's such a great point!