When people say “communism” they mean the principles of communal ownership and shared property. Not the specific philosophy of Karl Marx (that would be Marxism).
It is possible for someone to hold those ideal, and even live by them, before the term is coined.
If christianity had ideals other than “live like jesus”, it would be possible to follow those before he existed too.
I think it makes sense to use the correct words, esp. if you’re using loaded words like communism or fascism. So the early christians (and many before and afterwards) were trying for a spiritual and communal life in a small group of believers. Like monks do. But that is not what most people are thinking when they are talking about communism.
When people say “communism” they mean the principles of communal ownership and shared property. Not the specific philosophy of Karl Marx (that would be Marxism).
It is possible for someone to hold those ideal, and even live by them, before the term is coined.
If christianity had ideals other than “live like jesus”, it would be possible to follow those before he existed too.
I think it makes sense to use the correct words, esp. if you’re using loaded words like communism or fascism. So the early christians (and many before and afterwards) were trying for a spiritual and communal life in a small group of believers. Like monks do. But that is not what most people are thinking when they are talking about communism.