"Only Christians can be true socialists."

Utter, arrogant, codswallop. You might want to try to understand what socialism actually is before making fatuous statements like that. Socialism is a broad church (pun intended) and people from all creeds and walks of life choose to call themselves socialists; it's an inclusive school of thought and welcomes everyone as diversity of thought is one of it's strengths. As it's primarily an economic and political system it's irrelevant what a socialist's faith or lack thereof is.

One of my big gripes about today is anyone who thinks compassion should be the bedrock of our society is immediately classed as a 'left-winger'. It's as if altruism, caring and the wish to demonstrate some personal responsibility for the society we live in actually offends some people; invariably ones with more money then the rest of us. This idea that people who actually give a shit about those who are most vulnerable and at risk in society are some sort of malcontents jealous of those with material wealth is, I suspect, born of a innate sense of self-preservation and greed that makes such people very scared of what they perceive they will have to give up.