Understanding the Present Moment #1 (Karl Marx)

[@cristinarosello5971]

That's so true. That particular podcast was really enlightening. As a clinical psychologist with 40 years' work experience, Bishop's presentation made me rethink and reflect on my life and career, in the way I have been helping people as a life mentor. Indeed, a lot of my training has been anchored on unexamined premises on the above four influences. Thank you!

[@Lerian_V]

Have you listened to the one he did on psychiatry? I think the title was "Why Psychiatry Needs to Get Right with God"

[@QuantumSorceress]

That original video was the main reason why I stopped being an atheist after 20-years; and I'm currently in the process of converting into Catholicism. I now pray daily (I am subscribed to the liturgy of the hours because I felt kind of lost on how to pray properly after avoiding it for so long) and I can testify that these liturgy of the hours has pretty much almost cured my anxiety and depression. The Hallow app has helped me a lot. I love to listen to Francis for my prayers--his voice is so soothing! It is so amazing what God has done for me. I have been on psychiatric medication for years and was even hospitalized because I was extremely suicidal. I was finally removed off my antidepressant (under the watchful eyes of my therapist and psychiatrist, of course) and my symptoms have not returned! My psychiatrist and therapist are overjoyed and I don't need to see them so often anymore (I've been seeing my therapist weekly for over 7-years). And it's not just that... my mood has improved so much! I feel happier, lighter and just like an overall positive person. Which is very odd for me because I was the age old goth girl. I mean, I still have that chic gothic look, but I'm genuinely happy and cannot wait for my future. And now I started a nonprofit (with Catholic values, of course) to help other people that were in a similar situation as me. Never would I have done any of this. It's like as soon as my faith returned, things strangely started to fall into place. I tried to convince myself that I was being delusional (leftovers from my atheism), but everyone saw the change in me and my mother is now interested in catholicism. Please do more of these videos. You just might save more people like me. We just need to hear reasonable answers to our questions that have remained unanswered for so long.

[@ivorybow]

Congratulations! I too am a convert, not from atheism, but from the Baptist church. You have a wonderful journey ahead of you, filled with endless learning and discovery.

[@ivanameshell2472]

So incredibly happy for you! May all your efforts lead many others to the joy of Christ.

[@linnan87]

Wondering what the non-profit is called? Would like to share with someone I have in mind. Thanks!

[@Bobsuruncle007]

As a former atheist who struggled with anxiety and depression I feel you. Once I found my faith life has been so much better. It is a constant work to unpack the teachings that you don’t realize was there in the first place but it’s worth the time. Praying for you on your journey.

[@LucMil0305]

Welcome home! Praying that you persevere because if you follow the beautiful spiritual life, the devil will strike you from all angles. Happy for you! God bless us all!

[@pacibaco]

Barron is easy to follow like a kind , gentle conversation with an old friend . Greatly appreciated Sir , that you for all your wisdom and guidance

[@reycfd7753]

Great discussion! Bishop Barron who is an intellectual giant reminds me of our beloved seminary professor of Philosophy - Fr. Ronan Callahan, CP who was well-loved by his students everywhere, whether in USA or Philippines. He was for me a great scholar whose thoughts and writings are equal to or even surpass the philosophical writers of his time (he died at the age of 92 in 2015) having an encyclopedic mind. What puzzles me till now is that he remained to be humble and not known in the intellectual circles. Perhaps his students in St Michael's Seminary in USA can tell. Thanks and God be forever blessed! Thank you, Bp Barron, you are one of a kind bishop in our world immersed in secularism and godlessness. Continue to shine brightly in your youtube programs.

[@stanleyezeogu9816]

I have continued to build my Catholic identity through the teachings of Word on Fire Ministries.

[@susiboh1183]

Build your identity on God’s Word instead!

[@TheHologram3299]

@@susiboh1183 silence Protestant

[@BabyDingo]

@@susiboh1183 what do you think he’s doing? You should take your own advice.

[@davido3026]

​@susibohthe Catholic Church is the foundation and pillar of truth!! 1183

[@csikomas8910]

I so appreciate these topics your team is bringing forward. If only Bishop had been a teacher when I was in school I would have been enthralled. Keep them coming. I was always proud to be Catholic but Bishop has helped me to articulate why to others. God bless you all. Thank you Bishop Barron!

[@alexi2wandaho5]

Bishop Robert Barron you add immensely to my spirirtual life. God add more to your years. I love you.

[@lilyjazel5258]

We are blessed to have Bishop Barron . He is gifted superb philosopher. I enjoy listening to all his podcasts and presentations.

[@chriskeatinge688]

Very good Bishop Robert Barron, very deep and thought provoking. Thank you from Australia.

[@ashwith]

In the Knights of Malta address, there was mention of a part 2 on the Church's response. Could you please release that (I don't think it has been released so far). If you can't release that video, could you please do episodes on it for the Word on Fire Show? Thank you.

[@angeliayong9166]

Pray

[@Lerian_V]

Yeah, he called it a "magisterial response" if I remember correctly.

[@sidneyloggins2487]

Thank you pastor - I am hopeful for the Church on earth because of LORD's blessing on you and thus, us all.

[@mrsuperger5429]

As a staunch Protestant, I find Mr Barron a very interesting and intelligent man. He is also correct that modern Marxists knew that their revolution could not succeed by class struggle but by identity politics. I may not share his particular view on God, but wish him nothing but peace and goodwill.

[@spahbed7150]

there is no marcism without class struggle. Identity politics is an enlightenment liberal concept not a Marxist concept.

[@davido3026]

Bishop barron is a man of God! He does not have a view of God! He has been anointed by the Holy Spirit and sent to serve the Lord wherever he is sent!!!that is christianity!! He did not self appoint himself, nor does he own any churches like in your cafeteria system of 100,000 sects!!!

[@robmessenger6895]

I'm thinking of coming back to the faith because of the preaching and example set by Bishop Barron

[@anthonyjennings1238]

Just do it mate.

[@anthonyjennings1238]

Rob, it's even better being a Catholic the second time around. Believe me.

[@anthonyjennings1238]

Isn't Bishop Barron just the best. Truly his intellect must be from the grace of God.

[@christinavolkmann7895]

Great idea for a mini series, thank you. Thank you for the work you do, always very interesting and uplifting. 🙏🙏

[@mariasoderberg1366]

Thank you word on Fire, and Bishop Barron!

[@trangtruong4920]

Thank you Bishop. God bless you and your works!

[@stevenjoseph8134]

Five minute in to this I must admit I felt antagonistic as I thought you were going to leave out too much context and balance and just deride Marx, while ignoring the massive contributions this man has made indirectly (ex. five day work week etc). However you did take all my concerns into consideration and provided a great summary. It was so important that you added the time and place and how horrible daily life must have been for factory workers in the 1800's. Especially how you added that Marx would have been against Communism in Russia due to its (at the time) less advanced and agrarian nature. Great job. Peace and Love. Now maybe you can speak to the evils of people like JP Morgan and early American Capitalists and all the dirty dealings they would engage in. Christianity needs clear and highly intelligent speakers like you....keep up the good work.

[@marilynmelzian7370]

It is interesting to note, and I learned this recently, that in the middle ages there was no work on the Sabbath, and, in addition, about 40 to 60 feast days during the year in which one was released from toil. That’s effectively a five day work week.

[@ritabiro5105]

Thank you Mr.Bishop for your explanation l am often confused with this philosophy of Marx unfortunately tought us in school in Hungary long time ago . God blesse you

[@susiboh1183]

Rita Biro, read the book “Marx and Satan” by Richard Wurmbrand.

[@stevenjoseph8134]

@@susiboh1183 Not a book to read if you care about facts over exaggerations. I feel bad that the author suffered under a so called communist regime. But to then lay that all on the feet of Marx is a bridge too far. Eastern Europeans had suffered and continued to long before Marx entered the picture. Marx never believed that Eastern Europe was a sensible place to begin Communism as they were far too backward and having not advanced sufficiently enough. It is akin to when people try to erroneously stated that Hitler was a Socialist because of the name of his party. He was anything but.

[@susiboh1183]

@@stevenjoseph8134 you are full of stupidity. I feel sorry for you!

[@bens4446]

While many philosophers would disagree with this characterization of Marx, the bishop has made an admirable, honest effort to engage the thinker (as opposed to a straw man). First time I have seen this from a religious man.

[@ciliagalasso4745]

And first time I hear it from Bishop Barron. Dire conditions have rise to a Karl Marx and though his solution was erroneous he brought to the forefront the evils of capitalism at that time. All the laws passed protecting the workers are part of the inheritance of socialism.

[@DavidCelestialKnight]

Thank you Bishop Baron from Peru.

[@WithGodAllThingsArePossible982]

Brilliant. Thanks for your wisdom, Bishop ❤

[@byrnedegrandpre8884]

You fellas are amazing together.

[@bellanegrin3915]

Very valuable discussion. Thank you and God bless.

[@markfleming3423]

Thank you. An excellent discussion. God Bless from Oz

[@christopherconey732]

The best English translation of much of Feuerbach is called the Fiery Brook by Zawar Hanfi; even better than George Eliot.

[@brendamyc3057]

Best part of the movie, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!”

[@tomlabooks3263]

The work of Word on Fire is so crucial for our culture, I loved this video and all your other videos. Let me offer this idea: in order to understand where these modern aberrant ideologies come from, I’m not sure we even need to inconvenience Marx or any other great thinker. It all comes from TV. TV, Hollywood, movies and tv series have destroyed people’s ability to think DEEPLY about our world and about reality. The one element that all these modern ideologies have in common is their horrific superficiality. First of all, I would thank TV for that: the easy emotional response, the quick dopamine fix, the narcissistic signaling. It’s all there.

[@Bookthief666]

Last I checked TV and radio teaches you to fetishize capital and idolize the lifestyle of the rich and the famous. Js.

[@DouglasHPlumb]

Kant was very difficult to understand for other pholosophers back then. Today we have lots of great Kant scholars who help us understand it and not fall for these sophists

[@MH-jq9dm]

B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T Teaching! Thank you!

[@mlindeblad1]

Needed to hear this definitely since Marxism is on the rise and I need to be able to speak intelligently about it, including with fellow Secular Franciscans and Catholics of every kind.

[@susiboh1183]

Mark Lindeblad , read the book “Marx and Satan” by Richard Wurmbrand!

[@denis_kutin]

You'd better read Marx yourself

[@yamesotericist4188]

“Present moment” is a quantum state of consciousness, not just “thinking” about what you are doing. Consciousness is kept in the “thinking mode” forcibly, just like that, it is not possible to get out of the Matrix of the “internal dialogue” (Collective Unconsciousness) and for 98% forever in this life.

[@meganturner1456]

Wonderful to listen to Bishop Barron

[@lorettagallagher9577]

Bishop Barron is such a wealth of information. He is so interesting to listen to, with the gift of explaining the topic so I get it. Thank you.

[@dockboggggs]

Marvellous. I had never understood Marks properly before

[@dahveed62]

As a lapsed catholic trying to get right and as an AnAarChi$t, I love this bishop!

[@emmanuelbrijesh007]

Thank you for shedding some light on Karl Marx's idea on his good and ugly side.

[@dannyserrano100]

Thank you Bishop very relevant

[@banijssen01]

Great work, very informative for society today. Also happy that you are going to these 4 important figures. God Bless you work.

[@johnkalbert2014]

God bless you

[@yezetadiev8468]

To me the bishop seems to more open minded than the host as the latter happens to ask the question sometimes in a biased way. Not big of a deal, I just noticed. He's a young man, he'll learn. It is crazy how intellligent people aren't that smart after all. I was teached about Marx in secondary school, at university, in real life by politics... now almost half a century of age I'm still looking for answers... In the meantime I have been a teacher myself for more than 22 years. I thank you both for bringing up this straight forward talk. You do a favor to humanity. I guess the peoples all over the world are quite confused, believers and non-believers - equally valid to me - , as we are being numbed down most of the time and left in the darkness so to speak. We need truth, there is an urge for openess in al sort of disciplines so people can decide for themselves in al clearness, transparency but most important: in the light!! I am glad that I stumbled on your conversations today. Thanks a lot.

[@dynamic9016]

Really appreciate this video.

[@81048107]

Minimum wage laws, assuming they are high enough to actually make a difference (most wages already prevailing in the market are higher) potentially harm the poor by eliminating jobs, stunting job creation, and harming current workers with reduced hours and benefits. Even the workers that are supposed to be helped complain about them for these reasons. They are also more expensive than they appear since they boost required Social Security contributions from both the employee and the employer. And yes, I am Catholic and teach economics. Catholic Social Justice teaching is fine in principle, provided it is informed by the Economic Way of Thinking. If you want more on this, go to the Acton Institute and Acton University.

[@psikeyhackr6914]

What did Karl Marx say about Planned Obsolescence and the annual depreciation of automobiles? It must not be important since economists do not talk about it today.

[@ricerikson4708]

excellent education series exploring the newly adopted modern intellectual social concepts and the limitations, thank-you

[@Coco2345ful]

Absolutely fascinating

[@jeanlanz2344]

Fantastic Catholic analysis and critique on Marxism... the good, the bad, the ugly. Thank you!

[@EcstaticTemporality]

This is a wholly incomplete and anything but comprehensive analysis of a seminal thinker. This is not Marx. Read him and form your own opinion before assenting to another’s interpretation.

[@marydurst4956]

Bishop Barron, Please interview Noelle Mering. In her "Awake Not Woke", she refers to Marxism more than 30 times and totally "gets it".

[@ruthallen3774]

Is a book written by a woman that works for a literal Washington D.C. think tank the place to get unbiased information about Marx? No.

[@daydreamer83]

I'm a Catholic and find Bishop Barron's explications of philosophy and theology illuminating, and fair-minded (after all, doesn't the mission of Catholics living in the world involve engage, at some level or another, in a Logos understood through the ordinary-language sense of reason, which means sincere commitment to enquiry, rather than unreflective equivocation, straw-manning etc). The video on Foucault - a figure I respect for his skill in enquiry re the 'archaeology' of concepts, even if I have reservations about him both politically-theoretically, and, particularly when approaching him from a Catholic bodily-ethics perspective, re. his personal conduct - I thought crystallized this. However, I think the characterization of Bernie Sanders, the 'political desires' of millennials in the wake of contemporary political conditions, and Marx are overly reductive, even in this short video. Bernie's program was/is essentially Social Democratic, a more moderate, US form of post-war Scandinavian social democracy. Nordic SD didn't cure society of all its ills, nor did it claim to - but was successful in terms of international measurements around human happiness ( the right to a home, the ability to raise a family, the ability to co-manage one's labour, the ability to exercise time) - as well as a structural and political emphasis upon sustainability and restraint rather than accelerated consumerism (as 'bad' forms of mimetic desire, after Girard, or forms of ressentiment, using Nietzsche in his proper place rather than to justify atheism), and egregious and spiritually toxic levels of wealth disparity. There was no repression of right to religion, there were no Gulags in Sweden or Denmark, and whilst there was certainly state investment and co-management, there were no Stalinist 5 year plans. Eliding any kind of critique of free-market capitalism with Stalinism is beneath the Bishop or any sincere Catholic. Bishop Barron is well versed enough in political theory not to make these kinds of misrepresentations, particularly since Marxist, left-communitarian, and Post-Liberal (Catholic social thought of the kind Bishop Barron professes) all have a grounding in the common, interwoven 'good life' of Aristotle which is quite contrary to the liberal premises around freedom and self-actualization which formed the chief basis for the actant critique of Bernie from the mainstream. Furthermore to wonder why young people might be drawn to Bernie's program or to the socialist critique of western capitalism, in the wake of environmental crisis, rampant liberalism whose endpoint or telos is - quite literally - a faustian/satanic valorization of the self for 'gain' and destruction of the individual and social body-social, a politics grounded in variations of the Lie or at least what Kant called the private use of reason rather than the commonwealth, inaction, the inability to cultivate family life and so forth... is staggering. Even figures associated with the Right like Sohrab Ahmari - a Catholic convert and co-editor of Compact (a heterodox, post-liberal and broadly Social Democratic magazine of politics and ideas) have recognized and engaged with these phenomena, invited dialogue with leftists genuinely concerned with the 'social' rather than libertinism or sectarianism and with their critiques of 'tendencies', and promoted an alliance around policy which also affirms a space (or indeed tries to promote, if ecumenically) where purpose can be understood beyond the secular and religion has a role in public life. Again, quite distinct from indifferent modernism or Stalinist violence towards ideological competitors. Personally, I don't identify as any kind of MLM - the ideal 'earthly kingdom' or exemplifying of the holy spirit as 'community' would be somewhere between More's Utopia as 'base' and standard Catholic distributionalism for 'second-order' goods. This would be a more radicalised (structurally-left) form of post-Liberalism. Nevertheless, there is a tradition of Catholic (heterodox)Marxism (McCabe) in the Church, and even those who have moved away from the Marxist aspect as an identifier, whether McIntyre or the Tradinistae movement - have no issue incorporating its insights in their conception of the social gospel. I know the Bishop is a post-liberal but there are post-liberal theologians (for instance John Milbank) who open (a) synthesise the critiques afforded by Marx around economic relations, ideology and crisis whilst critiquing the materialist-limitations of standard Marxism in grounding the 'eschaton' purely in matter, and (b)recognize the crisis.

[@billo875]

Excellent as always.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

I think Sanders appealed to young people because of how honest he was. If you look at his record he has mantained his politics consistent for decades which you can not say about 90 % of the democratic party. Young people today are accustomed to using the internet to see if claims are real and Sanders seems to really believe what he preaches.

[@cincinnatione8643]

it got him to be a very rich man with multiple houses. socialism pays off.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

@@cincinnatione8643 He wrote a best-selling book that made him a lot of money. I don't see anything wrong with that. He's a really old guy and has been on politics for decades. I don't see how him making money somehow invalidates him. Please forgive me and let me know if that's not your point and I'm misunderstanding you.

[@silentedict4256]

@@Carlos-ln8fd because if he really believed what he was preaching he would only keep exactly what he'd need to live, and donate every other penny to the IRS to run his beloved socialized programs. He's a sell-out just like every other commie that gets into a seat of power.

[@Bookthief666]

@@cincinnatione8643 Apparently one cannot be successful and care about the working class at the same time...

[@GasPipeJimmy]

Bernie Sanders is an atheist that honeymooned in the Soviet Union. What would you say about an occultist who intentionally honeymooned in Nazi Germany so he could be spiritually closer to Adolph H? Hopefully you would say nothing good. Sanders is in the exact same category, except for his side butchered more people.

[@keymaker2112]

I call it, "The Cult of the Silver Bullet," and it has many rites and many patron saints, but it's core belief is that you can explicate and ameliorate all of society's problems by addressing, "...this ONE thing." That is of course not to say that any given, "ONE thing," may not be vitally important, but we need not confuse necessary and sufficient.

[@praxidescenteno3233]

Only our Hearts at God's service and LOVE

[@richardbeal-preston9930]

Confirms my way of thinking!

[@josephaggs7791]

I like the concept. Ill keep listening

[@MrOsasco]

Present moment is money, power and virtual reality.

[@monkeymox2544]

As a Marxist, I have to say that this is one of the best explanations of Marxism I have seen by a non-Marxist. I think you do misrepresent him on a couple of occasions, though. Regarding substructure (usually called the base in Marxist terminology) and superstructure, Marx isn't saying that all of society and culture is _only_ about protecting the substructure. What he is saying - and I don't think that its really possible to disagree with this - is that in a capitalist society, culture will tend to be shaped by the interests of capitalists. Executives at Disney and Coke aren't in the habit of promoting ideas that tend to undermine the interests of the shareholders of Disney and Coke. Nobles in the middle ages weren't generally into commissioning stained glass windows which promoted the notion of social equality. Plantation slave owners didn't interpret the bible to their slaves in such a way as to emphasise the inherent dignity of all humankind. The interests of the ruling class, in general, shape our culture and the way in which we interpret the world. That doesn't mean that it is only those interests which get promoted, or that counter-cultural movements can't arise. They just won't be dominant. Nor does it mean that culture is consciously produced _in order to_ protect or support the substructure. Its just a natural consequence of the way our society is organised. Also regarding violent revolution, there is quite a lot of debate amongst Marxists about this, so I found your certitude a little bit unwarranted. Certainly most communist and socialist parties in Europe were committed to democratic reform long before the evils of Stalinism were fully uncovered. Marx himself seemed to think that democratic reform was possible, if you look at his later writings. Remember though that Marx was writing in the wake of several violent revolutions, including the French and American, and it wasn't an unreasonable observation that competing interests often resolve violently. He didn't see this as a good thing - he specifically notes that history often progresses by its 'bad side'. He also didn't think it was simply a matter of having a random revolution, violent or otherwise, and then everything would be okay. He thought that capitalism had to naturally come to an end, through its own contradictions - one such contradiction would be the production of a dissatisfied proletariat which is vital to Capitalism's functioning, which would have a material interest in overthrowing that very system. But this couldn't just happen at the behest of a bunch of intellectuals, it had to happen when capitalism had fully developed. Its also not reasonable to characterise any element of Marxism as 'utopian' - he was famously anti-utopian. The notion of classlessness isn't one where everyone is completely equal and harmonious, it's simply one in which _class antagonisms_ have disappeared. Such a society would still have its problems. There is no indication anywhere in Marx's writings that he thought a perfect world was possible, only a better one. Like all enlightenment thinkers, he saw in history the slow progress of humankind. He didn't have a teleological approach to this, that there is some pre-destined perfect end-state which we will inevitably reach. He just saw history as a slow, often painful process towards a better state of affairs, and saw no reason that this couldn't continue. I see nothing utopian in the hope of a better world, and history shows that we can always do better. My final thought is that I personally wasn't 'attracted' to Marx because of righteous indignation. I wasn't 'attracted' to him at all. I simply find that his analysis of the functioning of Capitalist society stands up to close scrutiny. I don't think he got everything right, but I think that he (and later Marxists) got enough things right that self-describing as a Marxist is reasonable. I'm a Millian to the degree that I agree with JS Mill, a Kantian to the degree that I agree with Kant, and a Marxist to the degree that I agree with Marx and later Marxists. I judge him by the same standards as any other thinker: do his ideas stand up? When they do, I take them on board, and its as simple as that.

[@stevenjoseph8134]

I love it when you can find a lone comment on a board that actually offers a more complete analysis than the video. A video which I enjoyed very much to boot. Thanks...you likely won't get many upvotes....I would give your post 1000 if I could.

[@monkeymox2544]

@@stevenjoseph8134 I appreciate that very much >

[@ben-dr3wf]

Well written brother.

[@Bookthief666]

Louder for the people in the back.

[@williamcurt7204]

I think the problem for me, as a non-marxist, is that once you start making the necessary qualifications in order to get theory to work, like the fact that the superstructure is not totally subservient to the base, or that not everything is about class struggle, you strip Marxism of its radicality and it becomes just another tool for analyzing history and society. And If Marxism is really just another tool for analyzing history, right along with textual criticism, then it becomes evacuated of its revolutionary character. Textual criticism is never going to form the intellectual basis of the total liberation of the working class. Now, if you’re okay with that (like I am), or you think that the radicality of Marxism is really only helpful as heuristic for some sort of real, non-Marxist analysis of class relations, then so be it. Most modern sociologists would probably agree with characterization. But, trying to “defang” Marx is really anathema to most activists on the left, and you’re not going to be making a lot of friends there by doing that.

[@christophersnedeker]

9:14 Bernie Sanders is not a socialist he's a social democrat.

[@davidgreenwood5602]

He is talking old-fashioned Cold War anti-communism.

[@rauschtan2570]

Thanks to K. Marx lots of progress in society has been made.

[@Bookthief666]

🙈🙉🙊

[@richardvorwald5478]

Popes Leo XIII & Pius X shed some light on '...the relative rights & mutual duties of the rich & poor, of Capital & Labor.' Our Catholic Tradition.

[@fidelfolozanoiii4499]

Jesus, Peter and Paul said the Father is the God of Abraham and Israel, the one who spoke from heaven when Jesus got baptized, the one who glorified Jesus. And, the God of Abraham gave his name to Moses. Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified his Son and Servant, Jesus, John 8:54 Jesus answered: “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, THE ONE WHO YOU SAY IS YOUR GOD. Hebrews 5:5 So, too, the Christ did not glorify himself by becoming a high priest, but was glorified by the One who said to him: “You are my son; today I have become your father.” Exodus 6:3 King James Bible And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by MY NAME JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

[@Bookthief666]

Wait til they found out Jesus was the biggest communist to ever exist.

[@markbirmingham6011]

I hope when he “retires” he takes the time redo & release some of old seminary lectures, or other philosophy/theology talks. He opened many a door for me.

[@LucMil0305]

I listen to Fr. Chris Alar, MIC from the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Massachusetts who has been explaining our Faith from his seminary lectures. You might be interested. May you be blessed as you go deeper knowing our faith most especially knowing deep about our God. We have to be prepared to explain the truth of our faith.

[@DimitryCheniche]

Moscow is big city. And it was century ago.. But Revolution happened in Petrograd. Three revolutions actually. One in 1905, and two in 1917. Two bourgeois revolutions, and finally October Socialist Revolution, that gave new opportunity to this world. To working class and all people of good will. Marx could not predict Russian Revolution. And he was not oracle. That was not his intention. But he gave us the method. Historical and dialectical materialism. And it’s not sort of dogma (that religious people might think), it is sort of the tool that we can use to build brighter future.

[@davido3026]

Freemasonry imposed the French revolution and volshevich revolution! And civil war in Spain 1936!!!

[@susanbreaux8246]

God Bless you.

[@mariel01111]

Thank you for this.

[@SuperMerryChris29]

Thanks, good talk. For me, the problem is capitalism is little more ethical than 200 years ago. And capitalism is so entwined with the biggest and most successful Marxist state immaginable. And this capitalism has sold us the consumer dream that overshadows everything including our faith.

[@sugarhigh4242]

For Marx, Capitalism had a "progressive" (you could maybe say moral) quality when it smashed feudalism. In the revolutions that brought capitalism to the fore (France, England, US, etc), the capitalist, business-owning, employer class and the developing urban working class had a shared project to eliminate the kings, and bring about a system of markets, and semi-democratic institutions which allowed for smooth profit-making. Capitalism during this time rapidly advanced industrial production through division of labor and automation/machines. The system functioning in China is still thoroughly Capitalist. Chinese corporations trade on a global market, there is intense class division, and increasingly China engages in imperialist ambitions which for Marxists represent the "highest" (i.e. most developed and also most volatile) stage of capitalism.

[@tyreewhite6653]

Very Good Discussion. Thank you !

[@pinkpaprika8410]

I’m worried about the dualism that seems to pervade everything in current American society. I find myself thinking of the video about the Trinity you posted a couple of weeks ago, and wondering what “third element” might be introduced into the equation to bring things back into balance…

[@rhwinner]

We need more churchmen like yourself in this fight, for it is _The Fight of Our Lives._ Blessings!

[@AlbornozVEVO]

wow this marx guy makes a lot of sense

[@tinman1955]

Not a big fan of Karl Marx...is he related to Groucho?

[@siosiri9129]

I wrote a comment here twice, very intellectual on Father Rapp being Mr. Communism not Carl Marx. I was taken down twice, so much for American Democratic Free Speech's first unwritten rule, "We the People, agree to disagree." While here, I am 70 years old, I knew Archbishop Sheen before his death, he tried to save me from a case of alcoholism and wanted me to become a Catholic Priest. God Almighty saved me from my alcoholism, and then guided me and my life to become our Nation's, Templar Sherlock Holmes, crimefighter.

[@brendamyc3057]

Oh we still do the profit at all costs workplace at the expense of the health of the workers.

[@phil2d2]

What’;s the difference between “Marxism” and “Communism”?I had a friend state that they are not the same thing.

[@InventorKnight]

Happy 4th of July!!! Enjoy the freedom we have while we have it.

[@EdHird]

a helpful summary in an age when marxism is being resold, sometimes in the context of racial tension.

[@EcstaticTemporality]

It is an incomplete summary. And, with all summaries, I recommend you read Marx to come up with your own summary and judgment.

[@damijanxxx7221]

I hope marx is still sharp minded as he allways was and doesen't give a damn about anybody's disagreemant, 200 hundred years later. Like me.

[@JullianRoman]

I wish you did a programme on the Sacrament of confession. The Sacrament of joy! So much needed today and we hear so little about it.

[@davewilson6313]

He did a series on all seven sacraments. I posted a link to the teaser for the sacrament of reconciliation.

[@Lerian_V]

@@davewilson6313 KZbin must have deleted your link if you posted it.

[@elperinasoswa6772]

He did. Go look them up.

[@ddonovan2965]

I am not an educated person other than the personal reading I do, but I actually thought recently that all of this political and cultural conflict does serve the purpose of uncovering where everyone stands on each issue, forcing us to choose sides and articulate why. I missed most of this but I was hoping it would not only uncover what's wrong with Marxism but offer a Catholic alternative. And I don't mean what the institutional Church should do but helping Catholics answer the issues that Marxism 'seems' to answer for people who are unknowingly supporting it, and before the socialists do.

[@ComputingTheSoul]

That's exactly what Catholic Social Teaching is. The first document produced for CST is called Rerum Novarum, and it responds to a lot of the issues the Marxists also responded to.

[@Nick-qf7vt]

Read about "Distributionism". It's a proposed Catholic economic system that is infinitely less controlling and authoritarian than Marxism but also prevents capitalist exploitation. As for what you said about seeing where everyone stands, I'll quote a classic anarcho-punk band: it's time to see who's who!

[@ddonovan2965]

@@Nick-qf7vt lol, 😊 thanks.

[@soniaaltuzar6191]

Muchas gracias

[@calummacritchie7840]

Thank you for your insight. God be with you.

[@yezetadiev8468]

After all it seems to me that you put those ideas inside out, they might be more workable. Instead of impeading or imposing ideas on the masses, let them foment and come from the inside... they'll be born naturally... if lack is not present or equally distributed so it feels less present under the skin... people tend to unite, to make it work. I read somewhere that the Vatican is the wealthiest instituation of the world, I don't know how and if one can come to that conclusion, not aware of their criteria or methods either... just wanted to say that some extreme overwealth could possibly be united for the sake of humanity. Like a restart but better. No obligations, no coercion whatsoever... just give people the necessary space, time... so their best qualities, now suffocated by pressure and requierements/expectations, can arise again/recalibrate into their natural state. I do believe all humans are lovelable beings in se under neutral circumstances. So, that way it is only a question of time to aknowledge beautiful blossoming. Don't you think so? Not sure if you're reading the comments, that is a whole lot of work... Therefore I ponder my comment as a wish, for a world free from harm and full of collaboration. I dream of such a world. May this dream come true. For now, I wish all of you a wonderful day. Thanks again for this conversation, it could be the start of something huge. Sincerly yours.

[@robertgarvey4069]

“When we look back in history, in the past 50, 75 years” Interesting. What happened 75 (or so) years ago?

[@christophersnedeker2065]

I disagree with Marx's reduction of all things to economics but I think his diagnosis of the problems of our modern world were pretty accurate. The problem with capitalism is that it consistently rewards putting profit first and all other values second. All who don't put profit first risk being outcompeted by those who do. I don't necessarily agree with his atheism or his solution of a socialist state but I mostly agree with his diagnosis.

[@MerrittCluff]

I think it's unfortunate to put communism and socialism/Marxism in the same box. I would like to see a Christian critique of both Socialism and Capitalism.

[@gregshirley4471]

Does the same apply to Christianity?

[@matthewmcghee8578]

You rock bishop 🙌

[@lornavaughan1684]

Thank you Bishop Barron and Brandon, may GOD bless and protect you both. Stay safe. ➕❤

[@richardsasso8043]

I must say that while Marx was not right about everything, he really has some startling insights into what industrialized capitalism does to people. People become a commodity in a system of production, dehumanized into a source of “labor.” And the work become profoundly more alienating to them as all. If you can’t tell the difference between an independent blacksmith and a worker in a steel mill, you can’t see Marx’s point. Pity that gets lost on so many people today.

[@abalint8097]

pity that gets into the heads of so many people today.

[@richardsasso8043]

@@abalint8097Beside your witty riposte, do you have an argument to offer as to why I am wrong?

[@Seliz463]

I understand what you’re saying, and it’s an argument that formerly convinced me to agree with much of modern socialist theory for several years. However the culprit is not industrialized capitalism. It’s cronyism and corporatism. To be fair, under our modern capitalism, there is a place for both the independent blacksmith and the steel mill worker. Essentially there are far more labor options and opportunities now than there were a hundred years ago. It’s true that in an absolute sense, there is more opportunity for bad actors to engage in exploitation as well, but that’s because there are so very many more economic opportunities overall. And also the reality of an imperfect world. But I thoroughly agree with you that reforms addressing cronyism and corporatism are absolutely necessary. Just because there will always be bad actors engaging in exploitation doesn’t mean we just let it happen. But to blame the problem on capitalism is to blame the fire on the fire extinguisher. Edit: also the idea that people can become dehumanized objects for labor exploitation did not originate with capitalism. Slavery existed long before we ever understood the concept of a market economy. Does capitalism completely eliminate this tendency to dehumanize and exploit? No, no system is likely to ever accomplish that. But capitalism neither invented it nor encourages it. Much the opposite: at its core a well established free market is the best defense against slavery.

[@killianmiller6107]

An independent blacksmith is an entrepreneur while a steel mill worker works for an entrepreneur in exchange for income. The output of the steel mill is greater in both scale and complexity than the output of a blacksmith and allows more innovation which improves overall quality of life. Some products are better handled by a blacksmith while others are better handled by a steel mill. I don’t think it’s wrong for someone who owns property to allow others to use the property to improve the owner’s product in exchange for the laborer’s wage, because the laborer is with his wage; though it’s probably true that past a certain scale, laborers are dehumanized because the entrepreneur isn’t in the muck with the worker anymore. I think this is often allowed to happen because the worker doesn’t have the option to go elsewhere to offer his own property (skills, knowledge) for wages, and this is due to centralized powers that prevent smaller entrepreneurs from competing with the bigger ones. Capitalists prefer there to be limited government because it allows businesses freedom to compete for consumers while having enough power to ensure a fair game. The large corporations that dehumanize their workforce are results of excessive regulation that I would say are inspired by socialism. My own nuanced take on capitalism is that it has a tendency to fuel hedonism and consumerism because entrepreneurs want you to buy things that maximize pleasure and minimize pain. If capitalism itself becomes paramount in culture then it erodes the virtue that we should be striving toward in the Church. As such, a capitalist society is best when it is inhabited by virtuous people.

[@richardsasso8043]

@@Seliz463 I believe in a market economy. My point is that a person who works all day on an assembly line (or on a keyboard) all day in exchange for a paycheck does not feel connected and integrated into their world. How do we reduce that alienation? I don’t know exactly. But now the job in America is sent to China, or replaced by a robot. If a person life’s work can be done by a machine, what was that person who did that job to their employer? A robot or a commodity. I don’t have a perfect solution, but we can acknowledge that much.

[@antonionwachukwu1054]

How do I get the book please I am from Nigeria

[@CC-lo3ep]

Would appreciate a similar philosophical discussion and deconstruction of the divisive forces on the right

[@TheWorldsStage]

like their complete worship of money, hatred for the downtrodden and love of war

[@Lerian_V]

What does that look like?

[@killianmiller6107]

I do have to wonder what is considered “rightist” because it seems a lot of what is considered right leaning (obsession with money, disregard for the poor, war mongering, racism, bigotry, the role of women, etc) comes from caricatures from left-leaning voices, and we should be careful to not strawman a position. For instance while conservatives may prefer not to support welfare spending to help the poor, they may instead prefer to soften certain regulations so that businesses can thrive and increase quality of life for even the poor rather than assuming government will solve the problem by throwing money at it.

[@cyberpunkworld]

Context. Check out the real video for Falco "Mutter Koks etc." I think that production may have been changed. Context: industrialized Western Europe. He was a good man.....

[@jeremysmith5919]

Gentlemen, thank you for addressing the ideologies that have led to our impending demise as a nation. I believe there is a sort of Communism 2.0 in the works, largely predicated on concepts like climate change, purported economic inequality, racism, gender identity, and other "relevant" issues. What I see taking place now is a sort of "planned self destruction," which will result in complete disaster. Following this, people will naturally look to the government instead of self sufficiency, and the leaders will unveil their "Great Reset" along with other radically socialist, one world government type policies. I pray to God that this doesn't come to fruition. If it does, we as a body of individuals will have to band together, resist, and stay strong in our beliefs.

[@RPSartre01]

Bishop, just look at our global supply chains and modern day slavery - there is still plenty wrong with our capitalism even today. I know, I work on anti-trafficking for forced labor in global supply chains.

[@RPSartre01]

@@ErinAbou Well, it was the Western capitalist drive to go all over the world to seek profits - what better place to go then countries with no labor standards or rights.

[@stevenjoseph8134]

@@ErinAbou I would say both, but great point. To bring down costs our Capitalists use these avenues and as such we are all complicit.

[@bernard4459]

@@elizabethkraszewski6603 it doesn't matter. There is no social utopia policy and the more we try to engineer paradise on earth the more paradoxically we will separate from it. We are only edified through Jesus teachings.

[@GasPipeJimmy]

Human bondage and compulsion aren’t parts of capitalism. No socialist or communist system ever in existence didn’t rely on the same abuse of people and use of force to keep its will imposed on its own people who didn’t want it.

[@bernard4459]

@@elizabethkraszewski6603 Satan owns the kingdoms of the world. Standing against evil is undoubtedly blessed, but we're talking about microrefinements of a political system which is unsustainable as its based on unlimited growth. We will be saved by Christ and not more elaborate and sophisticated forms of social, regulatory, or economic engineering.

[@bc5612]

Bishop Barron for Pope!! The world needs his evangelic intelligence more than ever.

[@chattyknittykat]

From what Bernie Sanders says, he just wants a blended system like Canada. We have social systems in place here for health and assistance but we also have a well regulated capitalist economy. Hybrid. Us Canadians are mostly happy with it.

[@stevenjoseph8134]

Amazing they cannot bring themselves to Socialized Health Care like we have. The US model is pure greed. Jesus would approve. Not 100% sure on Bishop Barron though; who I really like as well.

[@Bookthief666]

True story.

[@GasPipeJimmy]

You don’t actually have a blended system, but if you want all the Americans who thought that Bernie Sanders had any good ideas, you need to open your doors to them, and do so right now.

[@tammesikkema5322]

I prefer to word it as a socialist system that permits capitalism on occasion. And whatever the ruling party dislikes is punished or even forbidden.

[@gariochsionnach2608]

... make no mistake, Im with you Father: the culture of individualism, of ‘no one tell me what to do’ ... is deplorable & delusional, of the 'self-made man/woman' ... but on socialism / Marxism - as a practice, look at post-revolutionary Cuba. That is another approach - Pray for the sufferings of Cubans. “United States elite was eager to snuff out the example of Cuba [for ~60 years now under full spectrum blockade], which showed that even a poor country could transcend the socioeconomic conditions of poverty. ... There is a streak of vindictiveness that runs through US policies against Cuba, an island that proved during the pandemic that its revolutionary process cares for its people. The example of public health care in Cuba, despite being a small island nation, should be exported around the world” (R Waters, V Prashad, Manolo De Los Santos).

[@michaelmicek]

This was too short; it barely said more than what was in the original talk.

[@stephenmerritt5750]

It occurs to me that young people today, as a result of the marginalization of Christian principles, are searching and reaching for a foundation for their rights as a human being and along with that, a purpose to life. Once the Bible is removed, along with Genesis 1:27-28, there is no objective point of reference for inherent rights for the individual outside the collective or consensus. So, where do you go from there? This is where eastern philosophy, Marx, Nietzsche, and others become seemingly revived to an extent. And I say to an extent because no one is prepared to go all the way. The modern world is a concoction of all philosophy of the past.

[@justinstark5732]

I like watching this channel for a deeper understanding of catholicism and christianity but this is a really garbage explanation of marxism ngl. Any explanation of marxism that doesn't talk about labor theory of value and exploitation of labor? These things are what he builds his entire philosophy on. Ur "agreements" with marx are far more like agreements with Bernie Sanders (who is not a marxist btw he's just a social democrat)