Glenn Beck says to run away from churches who preach social justice?

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Via_Dolorosa said:
When did the government get into the mix?
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Don’t blame Beck. You may, however, want to write to the USCCB with your question. Why are they aligning themselves with leftist political groups under the banner of social justice? Sorry, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Why have they donated Catholic dollars to certain groups like the Chinese Progressive Assn which advocates the right to same-sex marriage? Or why are they supporting a group which educates immigrants on their rights to an abortion and contraception. Or why have they paid dues to an organization supporting civil rights (the name escapes me at the moment) that lobbies Congress for abortion rights for the poor. Why did the European bishops issue statements advocating Climategate? Why did the USCCB issue a statement in support of the abolition of our second amendment rights to freely bear arms? They did, you know, just a few months ago. I’d like to know why the Catholic Church is not helping the poor directly, but networking with and funding other ecumenical groups in a partisan political manner.

bellarmineveritasministry.org/campaigns/cchd/
 
John Leo has an interesting piece over at National Review Online regarding Beck’s characterization of “social justice” as a code word. It’s a short read and confirms much of Mr. Beck’s suspicions, while also mildly chastising his over-the-top rhetoric for being vague.

All my best…:cool:
 
Those who would demonize a person (in this case, Glenn Beck), call him names and label him clinically without even an attempt at backing such a description, reveal their true colors.

How can you expect to be considered credible and have your own ideas considered if you’re involved in attacking your opponents and attempting to discount their ideas entirely without even addressing them? This is dishonest and is certainly quite the opposite of the pursuit of truth that our faith calls us to.

Shameful.

We must beware of this type of thing always, and from both sides, but honestly I see it far more often from Leftist groups. The Right may label and make accusations, but much more often in my experience they tend to actually address the ideas in question and present their arguments against those ideas. This is worthy of much more respect.

Relating to the health care questions at hand, for example, I see the arguments against the bill singling out problems with it and the likely consequences of the bill. Far too often I see the responding “arguments” for the bill just demonizing and discounting the dissenters, or trying to turn everyone’s attention against the “evil insurance companies” (an insurance system which the government itself created in the 1970’s).

Regarding the “social justice” movement within the Church, far too often it seems concerned with politics, watering down Church spiritual teachings, making compromises, and focusing on short term, myopic, state-driven solutions to material problems.

My friends, placing our faith in the State to address material evils is idolatry. It is anti-Catholic. We are not to try to get Caesar to do our work for us. Nowhere does Jesus call us to use the State as a tool. We are to focus on our charity as a Church and as communities and individuals. I have become very concerned that many in the Church riding the social justice bandwagon are headed down a path to worship of the State or of the World, not of God (if they’re not there already, like the many who stand against Christ like “Catholics” for Free Choice).

Let us set our sights first on Heaven.
 
Maggie1951 said:
The government got into the mix when politicians started using the phrase Social Justice! A buzzword for Socialism. And there are some far left leaning CATHOLIC Churches with some very far left leaning priests who go along with the government. I’ve left Catholic Churches for this very reason. I’ve left Catholic Churches for not having kneelers. He’s saying if you’re attending ANY church that uses the phrase Social Justice loosely, leave, because he KNOWS not all PREACHERS, Priests, etc., are religiously inclined! Has God spoken to him?

Quite frankly, the Catholic Church has been in bed with the government (Hello?) for years. Just last month, they gave up government subsidies in Washington, D.C. because of the abortion issue,No they gave it up for the gay issue. but they didn’t give up without a fight. Money was more important than the abortion issue Once again the gay issue. And don’t even start me on known politicians who support issues that the Church doesn’t approve If your congressman were Jewish would you want him reporting to you or his Rabbi? of receiving communion! I say excommunicate them until they repent! Judge not lest you be judged.

I’m outta here. This issue annoys me to no end. The Church’s inability to teach properly. The government’s inability to govern the way people voted them to govern.Who won the election in spite of the Diebald voting machins? My taxes going for abortion. This stupid health care ‘debate’. Not! Funding for abortion is NOT in the healcare bill. They have kept the same language as has been passed in a previous congress

God wouldn’t want any one of us to be arguing about this. That is why politic and religion do NOT mix. Remember: it was politics that crucified Jesus.

Maggie!
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kbkam said:
I am a practicing RC and also listen to GB. He said specifically to watch out for the ‘social justice’ /progressive groups in the Church which are linked to leftist political groups-go to their websites and click on links to see what they support. He also gives a history of liberation theology which was used to infiltrate Marxism into the Church in Latin America-many parishes have offshoots of this today. Marxism is godless.

What he did not say was to leave the Church. He acknowledged that social activity by the Church is not all progressive/Marxist-just do your research to see what your parish supports. It’s not about religion, it’s about leftist politics using religion. Ironic, because, again, Marxism is godless.

We are not slaves to God-He gives us free will and when we choose to give of our own free will, we please Him. When we are forced through the government taxation to ‘give’, does that constitute voluntary giving and please God? IMHO, I think not.

The gov’t also supports many things that are against the 10 Commandments- taxes are either going to those or are freeing up money to go to enforce policies which I do not believe are moral.

Anyway, not being an expert, that’s my opinion and I prefer to do my research and not be a ‘useful idiot’ (a cold war socialist-marxist phrase).

GB is not a sociopath or a clown. He tries to put an entertaining face on conservative principles and usually succeeds. He’s also is doing an excellent job of educating and reminding us of our country’s founders’ intentions and warnings.
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What is liberation theology anyway.?
 
jrabs said:
Not even sure what going to the mat means…Going to the mat means putting an all out effort toward somthing…Actually I am really a Rush Limbaugh fan, That says it all and Glenn is not my man. 😃 But alas, I do listen to him on the radio and I hear him speak on this often. And straight from his mouth.
The clip was straight from his mouth.I don’t need to read altered clips - I hear him speak.

He openly says we need to watch for progressive programs rolled into the catch phrase “social justice”. There are all kinds of programs packaged into this politically correct catch phrase “social justice” these days.

I liken it to the new meaning of “tolerance”. These PC catch phrases can be dangerous.
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I can understand why the word tolerance might be a dangerous thing to a thinking individual.
A funny thing happened in my class yesterday. I told an 8th grader that he had to make up a test since he was absent. The next day I had a bunch of papers on my desk from him. One of them was an actual test he made up for the story he missed. He “made up” a test. This showed me that certain people take everything literally. Are we becoming the rudimentary reading group of the world? This kind of mentality among adults is very troubling to me.
Could that be why we, as Catholics, don’t take the bible literally?
 
Via_Dolorosa said:
What is liberation theology anyway.?
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A movement embraced by more progressive members of the Church that emphasizes worldly struggles (mainly poverty and sickness in third world nations) moreso than spiritual ones. Liberation theology is built up around social justice issues.

The Holy Father called it “fundamental threat to the faith of the Church” because it focuses on the class struggle and emphasizes Christs preferential option for the poor as ‘taking sides with the poor’ as if to say, against the rich.
 
Via_Dolorosa said:
What is liberation theology anyway.?
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I tried to find some definitions of liberation theology and, quite frankly, they mostly sounded appealing- who can be against helping the poor? (And that was the technique used to gain Church acceptance-mixing in some good to disguise the evil-in fact, I do believe we were warned in the Bible that the devil has that talent…)

Anyway, here is a link to Dec 2009 Catholic News Agency article entitled
Benedict XVI cautions against dangers of Marxist liberation theology
catholicnewsagency.com/news/benedict_xvi_cautions_against_dangers_of_marxist_liberation_theology/

A few quotes:
"The Pope warned that the “more or less visible” scars of Marxist liberation theology, such as “rebellion, division, dissent, offenses, anarchy, are still being felt, causing great suffering and a grave loss of dynamic strength in your diocesan communities.” "

“…the grave ideological deviations of Marxist liberation theology inevitably lead to the betrayal of the cause of the poor and that a Marxist analysis of reality leads to the acceptance of positions that are incompatible with the Christian vision of man.”

Like I said before, Marxism is Godless and no good comes from it.
 
Via_Dolorosa said:
What is liberation theology anyway.?
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In addition to the links already provided, may I suggest Malachi Martin’s book, “The Jesuits?”

This is a factual book written by a Vatican insider who actually saw what happened during the 60’s and '70’s and the terrible devastation brought upon the Church in Latin America.
The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - the Vatican’s watchdog for doctrinal orthodoxy - issued two important statements on liberation theology. The Instruction on Certain Aspects of the “Theology of Liberation” (1984) warned that it is impossible to invoke Marxist principles and terminology without ultimately embracing Marxist methods and goals. Marxism should therefore be avoided altogether.
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This warning should in no way be interpreted as a disavowal of all those who want to respond generously and with an authentic evangelical spirit to the “preferential option for the poor.” It should not at all serve as an excuse for those who maintain the attitude of neutrality and indifference in the face of the tragic and pressing problems of human misery and injustice. **It is, on the contrary, dictated by the certitude that the serious ideological deviations which it points out tends inevitably to betray the cause of the poor. **
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newadvent.org/library/docs_df84lt.htm
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Via_Dolorosa said:
I can understand why the word tolerance might be a dangerous thing to a thinking individual.
A funny thing happened in my class yesterday. I told an 8th grader that he had to make up a test since he was absent. The next day I had a bunch of papers on my desk from him. One of them was an actual test he made up for the story he missed. He “made up” a test. This showed me that certain people take everything literally. Are we becoming the rudimentary reading group of the world? This kind of mentality among adults is very troubling to me.
Could that be why we, as Catholics, don’t take the bible literally?
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You have exactly made my point for me - thank you. It’s exactly how I see the posters responding to Glenn Beck - so literally in a sound bite or article. A sound bite that says to run from the church…but not the actual full monologue.

You do realize a bite is a fraction of the whole? Someone is feeding you a bite. Someone who wants you to be outraged and reactionary. And it worked. And you are.

So hmmmm, let me think a moment…who would possibly want that kind of outcome?

Let me also take it one step further. You sound like you are not all that familiar with GB - but only what you read from him or hear about him. That’s OK if he is not your gig.
However, then you do not have the meaning of Social Justice correct as he intends. That is what we are talking about in this thread. His intent. Not the Churches definition.

As you recognize in your own students, Glenn Beck is calling us to be students of the truth. If you do not want to listen to him, cool. But then you must recognize that you need to research the depths of each Social Justice group in your parish and school. Not be the sheeple that people can often be. Things, people and groups may not be what they innocently appear to be.

That is simply what GB is saying. Open your eyes and ears, listen, pray, research, question. Do not assume. I only “go to the mat” as you say, for the truth - not for Glenn Beck. I do not care about Glenn’s success or not. I do care that he is correct in this particular message.
 
youtube.com/watch?v=gFOnG9a1Pzw

An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. ~ Proverbs 17:4 - 6

He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. ~ Proverbs 14:31

24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ~ Luke 22:24-26

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
~ Matthew 20:20-28

“The rich alone use imported articles, and on these alone the
whole taxes of the General Government are levied… Our revenues
liberated by the discharge of the public debt, and its surplus
applied to canals, roads, schools, etc., the farmer will see
his government supported, his children educated, and the face of
his country made a paradise by the contributions of the rich
alone, without his being called on to spend a cent from his
earnings.” --Thomas Jefferson to Thaddeus Kosciusko, 1811.

"The poor who have neither property, friends, nor strength to
labor, are boarded in the houses of good farmers, to whom a
stipulated sum is annually paid. To those who are able to help
themselves a little, or have friends from whom they derive some
succor, inadequate however to their full maintenance,
supplementary aids are given which enable them to live
comfortably in their own houses, or in the houses of their
friends. --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia, 1782.
 
josephdavid said:
youtube.com/watch?v=gFOnG9a1Pzw

An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. ~ Proverbs 17:4 - 6

He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. ~ Proverbs 14:31

24Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ~ Luke 22:24-26

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
~ Matthew 20:20-28

“The rich alone use imported articles, and on these alone the
whole taxes of the General Government are levied… Our revenues
liberated by the discharge of the public debt, and its surplus
applied to canals, roads, schools, etc., the farmer will see
his government supported, his children educated, and the face of
his country made a paradise by the contributions of the rich
alone, without his being called on to spend a cent from his
earnings.” --Thomas Jefferson to Thaddeus Kosciusko, 1811.

"The poor who have neither property, friends, nor strength to
labor, are boarded in the houses of good farmers, to whom a
stipulated sum is annually paid. To those who are able to help
themselves a little, or have friends from whom they derive some
succor, inadequate however to their full maintenance,
supplementary aids are given which enable them to live
comfortably in their own houses, or in the houses of their
friends. --Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia, 1782.
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You chose lovely quotes. Jefferson’s words are not even needed.
 
rskempf said:
I did not check the link provided but can offer my experience - for what it is worth.

Parishes are lined up along a spectrum from liberal(unorthadox) to conservative (orthadox). In the midwest US, where I reside, the churches that are liberal have a general tendency to promote social justice beyond what is normal. They need to “fill the gap” so to speak after rejecting some church teaching.

I started noticing this in my parish (very liberal) about 12 years ago. I visit other parishes in the area every month now to keep perspective.

My parish is very big on social justice. At the same time, I have suffered for years hearing the miracles in the Old Testament and New Testament watered down and ridiculed in the homily. I have heard the current pope seriously denounced, again, in the homily. You do not want to hear what I have experienced at this parish.

Again, this is a parish that is very big on social justice.

Have you seen this pattern?
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I live in the West and have seen the same pattern at our parish church. Our pastor is big on immigration for example, but admitted that he voted for Obama because of the “health care” and environmental issues. When I spoke to him about the “abortion” thing, he insisted it wouldn’t stop until women stopped having them(?)

Our homiles are also watered down. I have heard that “Adam and Eve” is a “myth” , Noah and his Ark was just a story and other things. So, I believe that in our parish Immigration should be first, the protection of the unborn who haven’t had a chance to even live is last.

We find this in most of the Churches around here, most are liberal. I’ve yet to see a “retreat” or a “mission” that is really that in our diocese.

Once in a while, we do attend a Latin Mass held once a week in only one parish and not even allowed to publicize this Mass in our local Catholic paper. So, I guess this is prevalent everywhere in the US, and then they wonder why people are either not attending Mass or joining Evangelical Movements.
 
rskempf said:
I did not check the link provided but can offer my experience - for what it is worth.

Parishes are lined up along a spectrum from liberal(unorthadox) to conservative (orthadox). In the midwest US, where I reside, the churches that are liberal have a general tendency to promote social justice beyond what is normal. They need to “fill the gap” so to speak after rejecting some church teaching.

I started noticing this in my parish (very liberal) about 12 years ago. I visit other parishes in the area every month now to keep perspective.

My parish is very big on social justice. At the same time, I have suffered for years hearing the miracles in the Old Testament and New Testament watered down and ridiculed in the homily. I have heard the current pope seriously denounced, again, in the homily. You do not want to hear what I have experienced at this parish.

Again, this is a parish that is very big on social justice.

Have you seen this pattern?
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If readings from Scripture are watered down and ridiculed in the homilies, then PLEASE act to inform Cardinal George, He would not appreciate such a mis-use of the pulpit in any parish.
 
catharina said:
Thank you for the link.
Clearly Beck, speaking of priests/bishops, is attacking the Catholic Church.
Too sad for words.

Who can support such bias?
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People who support using lies, conspiracies, fear and inciting violence to make their political point. Sadly past 10 years they more and more those same people are distorting our faith to support their political ideologies.

In my opinion the only difference between Mr. Beck and say author Dan Brown is that at least Mr. Brown admits his writings ARE historiacl fiction. Mr. Beck speak and writes historical fiction but presents it as fact.

Do not be suprised some one is killed because of some one like Glenn Beck spewing hatred and fear. I sincerely pray I am wrong and nothing bad happens.
 
josephdavid said:
People who support using lies, conspiracies, fear and inciting violence to make their political point. Sadly past 10 years they more and more those same people are distorting our faith to support their political ideologies.

In my opinion the only difference between Mr. Beck and say author Dan Brown is that at least Mr. Brown admits his writings ARE historiacl fiction. Mr. Beck speak and writes historical fiction but presents it as fact.

Do not be suprised some one is killed because of some one like Glenn Beck spewing hatred and fear. I sincerely pray I am wrong and nothing bad happens.
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Something bad has already happened.
Beck insults the Catholic teaching of the virtue, Social Justice.
 
Well, I am new to CA so maybe I have no right to comment, but I am shocked at the uncharitable tone to some of these posts. I realize that it is very easy to misunderstand and take things the wrong way in a forum like this and I am certainly not perfect, but can we all please take a step back and realize what we’re doing to each other? Please don’t misunderstand - I do not intend any of this to come across in a scolding or arrogant tone. I am just saddened by what I’m reading.

We are being divided in this thread over Glenn Beck??? Why??? He made a statement, the OP posed it here, I thought, for clarification on what was meant by it. Social Justice is a huge issue, as it should be. Instead of arguing back and forth, let’s please focus our attention on what the Church actually teaches on these issues. Some wonderful readings have been suggested here and some really good posts have been made, and I have learned from them…and continue to do so.

Obviously, there are fans of GB in this thread as well as those who don’t give him a second thought. It shouldn’t matter either way. It doesn’t matter to us what Glenn Beck does or does not advise us to do. We are Catholic - we don’t look to Glenn Beck for advice on navigating social issues because we look to the Church. No matter where the message is coming from - GB, Rush Limbaugh, Tim Matthews, Rachel Maddow, or Andersen Cooper - we listen to what’s being presented and then we go back to the teachings of the Church for clarification and Truth. We use things like these forums to help each other in charity to learn what the Church teaches so that we are not misled by the talking heads of our society.

Authentic Social Justice as taught by the Church is not liberal or conservative, democrat or republican. It does not fall into any such category because it rises above all of them. I hope that when we come here to discuss these things, we can try to do the same because our focus should be on Truth.

I hope I have not alienated any of you by posting this. Peace to all of you.
 
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