Why I am not a Communist - (The Bubble - Part 5) - The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Rev. Phil argues that communities should be oriented toward belonging and ensuring everyone has enough, and says that if a country is structured so some are excluded, marginalized, or lack basic needs, that structure is anti-Christ and a misunderstanding of God. He reflects on fears of sounding like a communist and cites Brazilian priest Helder Camara’s quote about being called a saint for feeding the poor but a communist for asking why they are poor, noting that critiques of American capitalism are often dismissed this way and that Martin Luther King Jr. was repeatedly investigated and labeled communist. While rejecting communism as godless, morally relativistic, and historically totalitarian, he also rejects capitalism due to its inequity and, citing Walter Brueggemann, its commodification of human life. He concludes capitalism and communism often operate as two sides of the same coin for those in power and calls Christians to move beyond these binaries toward more just, merciful, inclusive ways of sustaining community.