You could be right. In fact, early Mormonism had some downright communist ideals, with something called 'the United Order" in which pure communisim was practiced....and it worked, too, until the USA instituted the individual income tax.
The difference here is choice.
When socialism and communism are the rule of law...that is, the government is socialist or communist, the individual has no choice in the matter.
That is not always the case, nor are religious tithes or taxes always voluntary, either.
One can choose, today at least, to absent oneself from the church and its services, but in today's complex society, disentangling oneself from government services, the economy, the infrastructure, &c. is not practicable. Our quality of life is a product of a co-operative organization largely supported by taxation.
Tithing, as I understand it, originated in a period before government became a co-operative, social service organization. In some places the church
was "the government," and pretty much ran things. Many of the services now performed by the government were church administered, and tithes supported this system, as taxes do government, today.
Those farmers in the Ukraine who were subjected to Stalin's communism had no choice at all in their government; they were communist....and they starved to death. By the millions.
Stalin's communism was a totalitarian tyranny, not a co-operative, socialist co-operative. No-one today is advocating anything of this sort.
Big Brother Government tells you what to think, how much to pay, what to do, how much one can own...
I think you're confusing 'Big Brother Government' with Big Business, ALEC, and the politicians that serve the corporate oligarchy.
In a massive, complex, interactive society like today's, anarchy is just not feasible. There must be organization and co-ordination. There must be something to prevent a predator class from exploiting the populace and arrogating all the wealth.
IMHO, a co-operative decision-making system which includes all the citizens at the table, will best maximize freedom, fairness and general prosperity.
The difference here is, I don't HAVE to pay tithing. If I don't, I won't get fined, or go to prison. It is entirely up to me if, or how much, I pay.
Because you have the ability to opt into another, tax supported system.
A socialist government, on the other hand, would give me absolutely no choice in the matter.
If, by socialist, you mean tyrannical dictatorship, then I agree. But as understood by most advocates, a socialist government like many in Europe would increase both freedom, prosperity, security and social mobility.
I think that communism...the pure kind practiced by people of real good will and intent, could be a good thing. However, there just aren't that many people like that around, and if one isn't inclined to be a good communist, and wants to, say...go invent a video game and get rich, instead, then there MUST be a way to bow out of the commune. It's why socialism and communism, as envisioned by those who want to make either one a 'government in charge' are absolutely lousy government models.
But wouldn't a social(ist) safety net, subsidized coding classes and no worries about maintaining your health insurance make it easier to take time off to create your video game?
The US is no longer the land of freedom and opportunity. The "socialist" reforms of the New Deal and Great Society have been steadily eroded, to the point that social and economic mobility is way below that of the "socialist"" countries of Western Europe.
...........and why they tend to implode every time they are tried.
Well, I can see Iceland
exploding, perhaps, but I don't expect it to implode.
But if we choose to live socially, in co-operative, mutually beneficial groups, absolute freedom/selfishness must be curbed.
Hear hear!
