Glenn Beck on social justice

[human_being]

I don’t know if this is an appropriate thread starter. I don’t have a link. But I did hear Glenn Beck say in a paranoid way to watch your religions if they are speaking using “key phrases” such as social justice or economic justice from the pulpit. I heard it on todays radio show…He said to be very wary or something along those lines. I thought that he is totally ridiculous. He places politics above religion in my opinion. I have been very apprehensive about his truthfulness before now I question it even more…Religion comes before politics IMO…I wish I could find an exact recording…but i found it very revealing of his nature. Country does not come before religion,IMO. Does not the catholic Church support social justice? And shouild this not be viewed as almost an attack on our faith?

 

[St_Francis]

I don’t know if this is an appropriate thread starter. I don’t have a link. But I did hear Glenn Beck say in a paranoid way to watch your religions if they are speaking using “key phrases” such as social justice or economic justice from the pulpit. I heard it on todays radio show…He said to be very wary or something along those lines. I thought that he is totally ridiculous. He places politics above religion in my opinion. I have been very apprehensive about his truthfulness before now I question it even more…Religion comes before politics IMO…I wish I could find an exact recording…but i found it very revealing of his nature. Country does not come before religion,IMO. Does not the catholic Church support social justice? And shouild this not be viewed as almost an attack on our faith?

I think that what Glenn Beck would be talking about is when they talk about the type of social justice that the Kennedys go in for rather than the type outlined in the papal encyclicals.

He might also be including all “religions” rather than just the Church.

And you are totally right about religion coming before politics. In fact, the way some people I know act, their religion *is *politics

 

[Aboveallbereal]

I think when Beck and people of his political persuasion talk about being wary of those peddling “social justice” they are accepting the fact that in our broad social discourse social justice is a euphemism for left wing financially redistributive and sexually licentious policies.

 

[fish90]

I don’t know if this is an appropriate thread starter. I don’t have a link. But I did hear Glenn Beck say in a paranoid way to watch your religions if they are speaking using “key phrases” such as social justice or economic justice from the pulpit. I heard it on todays radio show…He said to be very wary or something along those lines. I thought that he is totally ridiculous. He places politics above religion in my opinion. I have been very apprehensive about his truthfulness before now I question it even more…Religion comes before politics IMO…I wish I could find an exact recording…but i found it very revealing of his nature. Country does not come before religion,IMO. Does not the catholic Church support social justice? And shouild this not be viewed as almost an attack on our faith?

Glen Beck does a good job revealing political problems in the world, but remember he is not a Catholic. Social justice has a bad connotation for him from what I see and so his opinion may be against the Church’s view. The Church still needs to clarify its social justice positions in my opinion. It has done a great job being against communism, yet the bishops seem to support amnesty. My question on that topic revolves around the thinking that amnesty goes against Caesar.

Do not worry the Church will always be correct. If it can beat Communism, then it can surely beat extreme and fanatical views of social justice.

 

[edwest2]

Glenn Beck < I do not think this person is a good commentator in general.

Peace,
Ed

 

[KingTheoden]

I agree with Ed.

Mr. Beck is a well-compensated showman. He gets many of his facts absolutely wrong, but none the less can draw attention because he on occassion with make hay about stuff we pretty much already know (the White House is riddled with admirers of communists).

Mr. Beck is an apostate and thus is in absolutely no position to comment on Church matters.

With that said, there are many Catholics who do use the term ‘social justice’ as a cloak for socialist purposes. In fact many, ‘Catholics’ who harp about social justice argue in favor of abortion and contraception.

Terms are terms that can become hijacked (the term ‘sustainable’ is a classic example of this and so is ‘liberty’).

 

[Mimi]

I thought this was good, from the Traditionalist Fish Eater’s web site;
fisheaters.com/modernist2…ictionary.html

Dissenter’s Dictionary

“social justice” is now the purpose of the Church, according to modernists.
In the real world, the true purpose of the Church is helping people repent
and come to Christ, and the offering of the seven Sacraments.

The *modernist *definition of “social justice,” instead of focusing on classic
Catholic teaching (such as the evils of usury, communism, materialism,
violations of the principles of subsidiarity and private property), usually
promotes statism, Marxism, illegal immigration, environmentalism outside the
bounds of Christian stewardship of the Earth, egalitarian feminism, the view
of sexuality as a matter of “lifestyle choice,” and the promotion of
contraception and, possibly, abortion.

Leftists have co-opted the term Social Justice in order to dupe good Christians into thinking their "community organizations" are not trying to push a socialist agenda. For more on this, see the thread:
[forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=376418&page=15](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=376418&page=15)

I think we covered it pretty well there; 16 pages worth.

Like him or not, Glenn Beck helped expose and explain the "players" in the current administration and at great personal risk to himself and his family, I might add. He should have gone further, IMO; he did not, to my knowledge mention the Gamaliel Foundation, for example.

Mimi

 

[Tigg]

The Church still needs to clarify its social justice positions in my opinion.

Authentic church teaching as handed down throughout the ages never changes. There have been numerous social encyclicals to help clarify what has always been taught, but what **has **changed is the partisan political trend espoused by many of our left-leaning bishops which rub with certain fundamental truths. With our on-going illegal immigration problems, the climate controversy and the healthcare bill, we are hearing statements from some of the bishops that quite honestly, leave my jaw hanging on the floor. Some of these “social justice” statements are now slowly being challenged by other bishops. Look what happened with Bishop Sample and Gumbleton:

catholicnewsagency.com/news/bishop_sample_explains_decision_to_ask_bishop_gumbleton_not_to_visit_diocese/

I don’t as a rule, watch Glen Beck, but if he made a statement regarding ecumenical church groups masquerading under the title of “Social Justice” then he is right on the mark and not alone in his assessment. More and more groups are exposing the Marxist principles behind this much-tweaked and over-worked term.

 

[Oscarthecat]

Does not the catholic Church support social justice? And shouild this not be viewed as almost an attack on our faith?

I heard the same show you did, and I can understand why you might have recoiled a little bit- but I think that, as others have pointed out, Glenn was specifically referring to the marxist/socialist political movement that operated under the guise of “social justice.” He should have been clearer on this point, and not simply generalized the term to include all churches and all theories of social justice.

More to the point, the Church has defined very specific values to be associated with these teachings, which have more to do with personal responsibility, subsidiarity, and respect for human life and dignity. These teachings are not, and should not be, specifically attached to any particular social or political end, because social and political ends are never an end unto themselves, but simply reflect the values society upholds. The Church seeks to shape society’s values- not society’s policys- because if our values are properly oriented, then our social action will also be properly oriented.

The Church’s teachings on Social Justice should not be confused with the current politically motivated twist on Social Justice which places greater value on creating social and political policy as an end unto themselves, with little regard for preserving underlying values like subsidiarity and the value of all human life when those values conflict with the desired goal of the political movement.

I agree with Glenn that if your parish is advocating a specific political policy in any way shape or form, that you should be extremely wary.

 

[marci]

The Church’s teachings on Social Justice should not be confused with the current politically motivated twist on Social Justice which places greater value on creating social and political policy as an end unto themselves, with little regard for preserving underlying values like subsidiarity and the value of all human life when those values conflict with the desired goal of the political movement.

I agree with Glenn that if your parish is advocating a specific political policy in any way shape or form, that you should be extremely wary.

I agree. I think that what we are seeing now is a return of Liberation Theology which was condemned by Pope Benedict when he was Cardinal.

 

[Tigg]

I think that what we are seeing now is a return of Liberation Theology which was condemned by Pope Benedict when he was Cardinal.

Agreed! I’m currently re-reading an old book that explains the political movement within the Church in Latin America during the time of the Sandinistas. The Jesuits, of course, were the key players and their influence was so strong that the error permeated throughout the worldwide Church. Seems as though JP II was never quite able to stop the freight train, although he tried. It’s quite chilling to read this book and see the similarities being played out with current day politics - all under the guise of “social justice.”

 

[Vasian]

I think when Beck and people of his political persuasion talk about being wary of those peddling “social justice” they are accepting the fact that in our broad social discourse** social justice is a euphemism for left wing financially redistributive and sexually licentious policies.**

Bingo!

 

[paully]

Glenn Beck < I do not think this person is a good commentator in general.

I believe Glenn Beck makes Rush Limbaugh look quite liberal

I really have not heard very many constructive things come from him.

 

[nsper7]

As one who is running for political office locally, I was told to never use the words “social justice” in public because of what it connotes. Certainly, “social justice” has a denotative meaning in Church teaching, but to the general (non-Catholic) public, such words often connote socialism or wealth redistribution, even though that is not the Catholic definition of the word.

It’s like the word “progressive”. In one sense, we should all want progress (things to be better than they were), but it has come to connote another word for “socialist” or “left-wing radical”.

Since Glenn Beck is not Catholic, I assume his views on the words “social justice” are informed by how it is used by left-wing radicals and socialist types.

 

[edwest2]

I’ve read Mr. Beck. I suggest whenever anyone uses the word “progressive,” make a list of the things they want to see get done. Then compare that list to what the Church is saying about the same things. Everyone wants things to be better regarding our neighbors, and neighbors should replace the words “my country” in this example.

When ‘social justice’ replaces personal restraint and established standards of what is right and what is wrong, then people think passing laws will be a better solution. Schools used to teach Civics. We used to be taught how to be good citizens and responsible citizens. When personal choice behavior replaces certain standards then you don’t know what the person standing next to you is going to do. In some cases, mom will let her kids cuss her out in public or play with the expensive items in the store. When these same kids become adults, how are they going to treat other adults? How many people do you know with Personal Protection Orders?

If we’re going to have a country with people behind justice, we need to have foundational standards, not every man or woman for himself or herself. That’s called anarchy.

Peace,
Ed

 

[sidbrown]

Mr. Beck is a well-compensated showman. .

A showman?
Do you think that his crying on air is sincere or part of his showmanship?

 

[edwest2]

There’s Glenn on the cover of Arguing with Idiots in his faux military uniform, and on the back? Glenn with a big, sad face pointing to the tears running down his cheek, with anti-endorsements all around. Glenn is theater.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Vasian]

I believe Glenn Beck makes Rush Limbaugh look quite liberal

I really have not heard very many constructive things come from him.

Surely, you jest.

 

[Oscarthecat]

I’ve read Mr. Beck. I suggest whenever anyone uses the word “progressive,” make a list of the things they want to see get done. Then compare that list to what the Church is saying about the same things. Everyone wants things to be better regarding our neighbors, and neighbors should replace the words “my country” in this example.

When ‘social justice’ replaces personal restraint and established standards of what is right and what is wrong, then people think passing laws will be a better solution. Schools used to teach Civics. We used to be taught how to be good citizens and responsible citizens. When personal choice behavior replaces certain standards then you don’t know what the person standing next to you is going to do. In some cases, mom will let her kids cuss her out in public or play with the expensive items in the store. When these same kids become adults, how are they going to treat other adults? How many people do you know with Personal Protection Orders?

If we’re going to have a country with people behind justice, we need to have foundational standards, not every man or woman for himself or herself. That’s called anarchy.

Peace,
Ed

I’m not disagreeing with your, but am just making an observation about your comments-

I think that the big problem we face in this country, one which Glenn Beck talks about frequently, is that people fundamentally disagree on some of the very basic ideas you’re talking about- like “certain standards,” “foundational standards,” or what is means for every man or woman to be for himself or herself.

I could walk into a room full of extremists from both sides of our political system and say exactly what you just said, and every person in that room would agree with me- but they would have a completely different understanding of what I said than their extremist counterparts.

I think the problem is that people don’t even have a commonly accepted understanding of what it means to be a member of society- and the dominant interpretations of that concept are what are in conflict in this country.

Anyway, back to the topic, I think what really gets people going, positively or negatively, about Glenn Beck is that he has become the catalyst for a large number of people to come together based on shared values they believe should be at the core of a good society.

He’s helping people in this country to come together because they share core principals, I I think that sets him apart from the limbaughs and the hannitys, who tend to unite people by emphasizing their opposition to particular groups.

 

[peary1]

I don’t know if this is an appropriate thread starter. I don’t have a link. But I did hear Glenn Beck say in a paranoid way to watch your religions if they are speaking using “key phrases” such as social justice or economic justice from the pulpit. I heard it on todays radio show…He said to be very wary or something along those lines. I thought that he is totally ridiculous. He places politics above religion in my opinion. I have been very apprehensive about his truthfulness before now I question it even more…Religion comes before politics IMO…I wish I could find an exact recording…but i found it very revealing of his nature. Country does not come before religion,IMO. Does not the catholic Church support social justice? And shouild this not be viewed as almost an attack on our faith?

Glenn Beck is a fallen away Catholic who is now a Mormon. I don’t ever remember a time when social or economic justice issues were never brought up in the pulpit. The Church has always been concerned about these issues and will continue to be because Christ was concerned with them too. In fact, Catholic Charities is one of the largest social justice arms of the Church in the world.