Christian Socialism

Socialist elements were apparent in Christianity right from the beginning. To the Jews "rich" and "evil" were synonymous. The early Christian communities rejected class barriers and private property. In the Middle Ages monasticism was regarded as embodying the pure communal life in contrast with the worldiness of feudelism. After the Industrial Revolution came the heyday of Christian Socialism—the term was first used in the 1830s. Since 1860 however, Christian Socialism, in spite of the Christian Socialist League (1906) has depended on individuals rather than organised groups.