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[[Image:Christian Socialist cover.png|thumb|350px|right]]

[[Image:Christian Socialist cover.png|thumb|350px|right]]

'''Christian socialism''' was a movement in the 19th century by Protestants in Europe, especially Britain, calling for more government investigation and regulation to alleviate the disress of the poor, which they blamed on unrestrained capitalism. Supporters claimed that [[Socialism]] was compatible with Christianity as the early apostles in Jerusalem had all things in common (by private agreement, not because of government regulation). Their goal was to build God's Kingdom on earth. A few Americans joined the movement, although the [[Social Gospel]] was much more important in the U.S. in the era of the [[Third Great Awakening]]. The movement originated before [[Karl Marx]] and had little in common with Marxist socialism.

'''Christian socialism''' was a movement in the 19th century by Protestants in Europe, especially Britain, calling for more government investigation and regulation to alleviate the disress of the poor, which they blamed on unrestrained capitalism. Supporters claimed that [[Socialism]] was compatible with Christianity as the early apostles in Jerusalem had all things in common (by private agreement, not because of government regulation), and conversely they view [[Capitalism]] as greedy and thus an extension of covetousness.

 

A few Americans joined the movement, although the [[Social Gospel]] was much more important in the U.S. in the era of the [[Third Great Awakening]]. The movement originated before [[Karl Marx]] and had little in common with Marxist socialism. Their stated goal was to build God's Kingdom on earth.

Critics accused social gospel preachers of focusing on this world rather than focusing on goal of saving souls. Christian socialists felt that they were doing God's will when they worked to improve conditions for their fellow human beings on Earth. Doing God's will would help to save souls.  The Christian socialists formed a small part of the larger [[Social Gospel]] movement. It appealed to ministers and labor activists, but won few followers among actual workers.

Critics accused social gospel preachers of focusing on this world rather than focusing on goal of saving souls. Christian socialists felt that they were doing God's will when they worked to improve conditions for their fellow human beings on Earth. Doing God's will would help to save souls.  The Christian socialists formed a small part of the larger [[Social Gospel]] movement. It appealed to ministers and labor activists, but won few followers among actual workers.