Maltese Socialist
1st January 2005, 17:20
I'm James from Malta, a tiny island right in the middle of the mediteranean sea.
Here in Malta communism/socialism is seen as 'the ultimate evil'. This is because of the great influence the Catholic Church has in Malta. The 60's in Malta where years in which the Malta Labour Party (the one only socialist party in Malta which was in power does days) suffered from condemnations from the catholic church...To be a labour party supporter in those days it meant that you are making a grave sin!! Some labour party politicians where not allowed to be married in the traditional way. Moreover, it is known that in those days, some labour party dead supporters where not being allowed to be buried in normal cemetries!!! Socialism was and even today is seen as something evil and is always asscoiated with Stalin's actions.
However, today the conflict between the Catholic church and the Malta labour party is practically finished. But, the image of socialism (and even moreover communism) is a negative one.
Therefore, my message is that Socialism is not what many people think it is. People in capitalist countries and in countries like Malta, in which religion intersected with politics, think that socialism brings a poor standard of living and reduces freedom. Socliasm infact promotes freedom (AND TRUE FREEDOM, NOT NEO-LIBERAL BULLSHIT), promotes justice, peace and is always the backbone for the working class.
My last message is this....if one reflects on Jesus' teachings, he will relise that infact, Jesus' techings share a lot in common with Socialst and even communist values.
Here in Malta communism/socialism is seen as 'the ultimate evil'. This is because of the great influence the Catholic Church has in Malta. The 60's in Malta where years in which the Malta Labour Party (the one only socialist party in Malta which was in power does days) suffered from condemnations from the catholic church...To be a labour party supporter in those days it meant that you are making a grave sin!! Some labour party politicians where not allowed to be married in the traditional way. Moreover, it is known that in those days, some labour party dead supporters where not being allowed to be buried in normal cemetries!!! Socialism was and even today is seen as something evil and is always asscoiated with Stalin's actions.
However, today the conflict between the Catholic church and the Malta labour party is practically finished. But, the image of socialism (and even moreover communism) is a negative one.
Therefore, my message is that Socialism is not what many people think it is. People in capitalist countries and in countries like Malta, in which religion intersected with politics, think that socialism brings a poor standard of living and reduces freedom. Socliasm infact promotes freedom (AND TRUE FREEDOM, NOT NEO-LIBERAL BULLSHIT), promotes justice, peace and is always the backbone for the working class.
My last message is this....if one reflects on Jesus' teachings, he will relise that infact, Jesus' techings share a lot in common with Socialst and even communist values.