Authentic Catholic social justice teaching has been hi-jacked and the debate comes from those who exhort others as to that reality. With an open mind, perhaps the best course of action is to read the volumes now coming out from those who are not so “like-minded” in an effort to discern their credibility and experience, and with a view of understanding one’s own particular and partisan politics.
I already have two blogs. I’m looking for a place to discuss solutions with like-minded people.
Thanks! I’ll check it out.
I’m not interested asking questions or discussing problems and solutions in a group where the vocal majority considers Social Justice nothing more than “social covetness” and/or “wealth redistribution” and/or supporting people who won’t work. And I don’t have the time to try to change anyone’s opinion. My calling right now is to actually work towards something more tangible here in my community. I don’t have the time for Christians/Catholics who defend Glenn Beck and his selfish view of social welfare.
Do you live in the United States? If so you might be interested in getting involved in this ministry…
I would just like a clear definition of “Social Justice”.
To my mind, Catholic Action might be feeding the hungry. Social Justice would be trying to fix the reasons that they are hungry to begin with.
Wouldn’t we all since the teaching has been corrupted to embrace such things as equality in “reproductive health” (code for immoral practices contra to Christian teaching) and the largest expansion of the welfare state ever - creating a continual dependency which, in turn, kills individual initiative and human dignity. Somehow a fundamental element is being left out – that to truly elevate the human condition is not to limit it to some sort of socio-economic status, but to perceive the human person in their totality – to feed the soul as well as the body.
There are so many various groups working within the Catholic Church that most likely share your vision (I’m basing this on your brief description.) If you prefer the Jim Wallis style and Sojourners (as opposed to Glenn Beck,) there are dozens of groups that say they are faith-based and espouse community organizing such as The Gamaliel Foundation, The Industrial Areas Foundation, The Center for Community Change, etc. There are also parish programs you may be interested in such as Just Faith, but beware that there is much controversy surrounding each of these as it has been said it appears they wish the Church mission of salvation be diverted to one primarily of social action and welfare.
There are, of course much lengthier and more detailed books devoted to Catholic Social Teaching, such as:
:banghead:
I think I am intelligent enough to understand the controversies without being chastised as if I was six years old.
I have far more trouble with statements like yours that seem to imply that we should just forget about social action and welfare, as if it isn’t any part of the equation. Throw out the baby with the bathwater. Not interested in those types of conversations.Since the Seven Themes wasn’t a good enough definition, here’s one that’s a bit more concise:
Recognize the source?
Thank you for your observation. Actually, are there really anti-social justice posters on this thread or are we all struggling for a clear definition of the term since political ideology has caused a morphing of the* understanding *of the teaching and quoting one sentence out of context doesn’t quite bring us to a starting point. I really do wish we could dialogue sensibly about this important issue without lines being drawn in the sand between SJ activism and the obvious departure from moral teaching that often happens with it.
Perhaps common ground is not possible because we cannot agree on the meaning of human life and what is most important in living that life to its fullest potential.
Yes Selah, that is the classic quote from the Catechism, page 899 in my edition, and the one I refer most people to.
