The Bible: A Manual for Social Justice and Social Injustice


To me, Christianity's finest hour was when Rev. Martin Luther King used the Bible to justify equal treatment of the races. Later in his life he promoted equal treatment of gays and was against most wars. That branch of the faith is known today as the "Social Justice" branch. A significant block of both Protestants and Catholics see social justice as the main reason they are Christians. 

There is another branch that thinks the Bible endorses social injustice. Currently the most widely known of this group endorses "religious liberty." It wants to use its religious beliefs to justify its prejudices. Unequal rights for gays and women are front and center. This group wants the right to refuse to sell abortion medicine and turn away from motels gay or mixed marriage couples. On the fringe of this group are denominations that do not allow women to be pastors. 

There is something in the Bible for most every view. Certain there is ammunition for both social justice and injustice. To me there is far more to justify social justice then injustice. Martin Luther King's sermons, speeches and writing make this case. 

Pope Frances makes the case often for social justice. The Bible is full of parables and the like extoling a society's support to the poor. The Jesus character speaks often this. It is not merely implied but stated clearly. 

Social justice surely includes the right of women to choose the time in their lives when they want to have their babies. Religious views against abortion preach women should not have this right. Religion is also used to preach that those with same sex attraction should not be able to raise children and make the same arrangements for financial security as hetero sexual couples. Neither of these injustices is in the Bible. They are advanced by prefacing arguments with, "What this means is..."

Use of the Bible to justify both justice and injustice will never stop. It was written in a way that invites disagreement.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maybe the "Original Sin" Should be Reassigned

Image
We can all agree most Catholic priests are fine people and not guilty of sexual abuse. What Catholics must face, however, it that their church harbors executives who are dishonest . There is an incredible story about the Argentine Bishop Zanchetta. The Pope worked with him in Argentina and they are considered friends. Around 2015 Zanchetta sent nude pictures of himself and they began circulating world wide. He also was too friendly with young seminarians and some left because of him.  Three different officials say they made formal complaints to the Vatican about Zanchetta between 2015 and 2017. Yet, in 2018, the Vatican claimed it was unaware of any complaints about Zanchetta. This might be a good time to repeat the Catholic hierarchy claims to have the sole authority handed down from Jesus to what the faith stands for. It condemns as sinners those who practice birth control, have abortions and gay sexual relationships. Handing the hierarchy this responsibility would make...
Read more

Who Suffers from a "Hardened Heart"

Image
Some years ago on this blog there was a discussion about what the Bible calls "The hardened heart." The "hardened heart" was the explanation given for why people like me cannot accept the tenets of Christianity. We are unable to believe there are floating spirits and gods or imaginary places people go when the die. Now, a prominent Christian preacher and author has given us a way to diagnose the "hardened heart." It contained some surprises.  Rev. John Piper, who spoke about the hardened heart, said we can see this in a person who lacks "ordinary tenderness and compassion." He went on to describe the characteristics of a person without the affliction of the hardened heart. A healthy person displays empathy and sympathy. Those with the hardened heart are like stone. Jesus wanted compassion for the poor. The hardened heart discussion referred to atheists only if they are sinners and then it was indirectly. Sin, Piper said, hardens one's heart a...
Read more

Young Women can see Bull$hit a Mile Away

Image
Republicans including their Forced Birth subgroup is bother by recent election results and polling. All show young women going to the left. A poll shows young women are 30% more likely to be very liberal than young men. The link advises the Forced Birth community to give young pregnant women an uplifting message. The message suggested is, "Buck up. You've got this. You can give birth and have a happy life." Another way of saying this is, "It will be OK if you miss work and/or are fired because of the birth. If you cannot make your rent payment, it's OK. Somewhere out there is another place to live. We don't know where but be optimistic."   This is an add on to the new version of the Forced Birth message, "We're for both the baby and the mother." They are not and never have been for the mother. Their message has always been to condemn women who have abortions. Now, the "thoughts and prayers" message, which costs no money, it the me...
Read more