Do not confuse the beliefs, actions, sins, or even teachings of its members with the teachings of the Church. There are progressives even within the Church; it was part of their plan to get their way. The Church’s teachings (doctrines) have not changed since it was founded nearly 2000 years ago. It also is the only religion I know of that is completely self-consistent and does not lead to irrational behavior and self-destruction.
Also, social justice in its true form does not require big government organizations to run health care and other programs. It is about justice within society, not about robbing people. Unfortunately, the dictionary may not agree in the years to come…
Time for some critical-thinking practice. Easiest done when one has one’s “facts” straight. Before you ever again declare that the Church has remained unchanged in two millenia, read up on the Nicene Council, then the Council of Trent. Learn how the teachings of Paul, then Augustine, and finally Aquinas, have warped the original, simple, social teachings of Christ, all shaping the Church into what it is today.
There are some books which describe the actions of the Church which were written by intelligent individuals, who have done their research, and who are not affiliated with the Church. You might consider reading some of them.
Your statements are those of a true believer, but not of someone who has taken the trouble to study the history of that which he expounds. It’s okay. I was there once, did exactly the same thing. To this day, I do not know why the people I worked with did not shoot me in the head, given that all were atheists.
Incidentally, how many religions do you “know of,” and what exactly does “know of” mean, for you? Like, does it mean you can spell the name of the religion, or does it mean that you’ve studied the fundamental teachings of the religion?
If you put your comic books down and pay even a little bit of attention, you might discover that the term “social justice” is used by people who intend to take your money, your property, and your rights…
with the intention of giving your money and property to someone who does not have as much of either as you do…
and throwing whatever rights you might have into the nearest biffy, while collecting a generous brokerage fee for themselves.
As for disconnecting the intentions of any church from the actions of its members— nonsense! Muslims blow people up because Islam rewards them for doing so. Catholics follow their Church’s teachings. Few religionists have the guts to take their beliefs to the extreme levels of what is taught, but always, what the few do is what is taught, and it is done with the approval of the gutless passives who pay their tithes.
The Church has been promoting “social justice” for centuries, inviting the rich give up their wealth in behalf of the poor. (“It is easier for a rich man to get to heaven…”) I’ve been waiting for the Pope to get that ball rolling by melting down a few gold chalices, or selling off its cache of books long hidden from outside scholars, but it could be that the Church is
wisely hedging its bets against the inevitable economic consequences of its teachings.
Christ spoke plainly to the responsibility of man towards his fellows, and always made it clear that doing something for your neighbor was a voluntary, man to man, kind of thing. He did not advocate that governments steal one man’s money and give it to another, minus the brokerage fee.