Social Justice in Our Church

[Moksha]

I have two guestions that are of a timely topical nature:

1. Is Social Justice an integral part of our Church?

2. What could we list as examples of Social Justice in our Church?

:)

[Dravin]

Can we define Social Justice? Or is that the purpose of examples?

[WmLee]

Okay, I took the bait and thought there must be something rather simple to this question. So I googled it and found:

One of the first prominent religious thinkers to use the term "social justice" was the Jesuit Luigi Taparelli in the 1840s, but the term appeared before the 1800s, including in the Federalist Papers and Edward Gibbon's The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire‎. The idea was elaborated by the moral theologian John A. Ryan, who initiated the concept of a living wage. Father Coughlin used the term in his publications in the 1930s and 40s, and the concept was further expanded upon by John Rawls' writing in the 1990s. It is a part of Catholic social teaching and is one of the Four Pillars of the Green Party upheld by the worldwide green parties. Some tenets of social justice have been adopted by those on the left of the political spectrum.

Social justice is also a concept that some use to describe the movement towards a socially just world. In this context, social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality and involves a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution, policies aimed toward achieving that which developmental economists refer to as more equality of opportunity and equality of outcome than may currently exist in some societies or are available to some classes in a given society.

So now I ask you, can you be a little more specific in what you are looking for? :)

[Moksha]

WmLee, never thought of consulting Wikipedia first, but here are some of the religious specifics they list:

Methodists

From their founding Methodism was a Christian social justice movement.

Under John Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social justice issues of the day, including the prison reform and abolitionism movements. Wesley himself was among the first to preach for slaves rights attracting significant opposition.

Today social justice plays a major role in the United Methodist Church.

Jewish social teaching

In To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks claims that social justice has a central place in Judaism. One of Judaism’s most distinctive and challenging ideas is its ethics of responsibility reflected in the concepts of simcha ("gladness" or "joy"), tzedakah ("the religious obligation to perform charity and philanthropic acts"), chesed ("deeds of kindness"), and tikkun olam ("repairing the world").

Catholic social teaching

Catholic social teaching comprises those aspects of Roman Catholic doctrine which relate to matters dealing with the collective aspect of humanity. A distinctive feature of Catholic social teaching is its concern for the poorest members of society. Two of the seven key areas of Catholic social teaching are pertinent to social justice:

Life and dignity of the human person: The foundational principle of all Catholic Social Teaching is the sanctity of all human life and the inherent dignity of every human person. Human life must be valued above all material possessions.

Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable: Jesus taught that on the Day of Judgment God will ask what each person did to help the poor and needy: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." The Catholic Church teaches that through words, prayers and deeds one must show solidarity with, and compassion for, the poor. The moral test of any society is "how it treats its most vulnerable members. The poor have the most urgent moral claim on the conscience of the nation. People are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor."

There is no listing under LDS, but as you can see, the in practice religious definitions differs from any secular meanings. I would also guess that since LDS definitions on most things differ, that our definition of social justice would also differ.

[WmLee]

I think I see what you are asking. Look at the Relief Society. At a time that a woman had no right to vote, in Utah the church had a big push for that right. As towards prohibition, the Mormon Church was again, well ahead of the social movement. RS is also the largest and oldest woman’s organization that has a primary focus on strengthening the woman and assisting her on strengthening the family.

As to the black issue, (and here I am weak). I know Joseph Smith ordained one if not more black men with the priesthood. I would suggest going to www. blacksinthescriptures.com. There is a page just on blacks in the LDS Church and one on blacks and the priesthood.

I hope this helps

[bytebear]

Who's social justice? In the Old Testiment, it was socially justifiable to put to death one for adultery. In the Muslim world, a woman may be stoned to death after she was raped. So,the question isn't correct. The correct questions should be, "Does the LDS Church have an obligation for following my personal definition of social justice?" and of course the answer is no.

[Traveler]

I have two guestions that are of a timely topical nature:

1. Is Social Justice an integral part of our Church?

2. What could we list as examples of Social Justice in our Church?

:)

Social Justice is a political talking point for Progressives. The intended politics to actual justice is on par with Social Security's intention to be secure.

The Traveler

The Traveler

[bytor2112]

Moksha,

Rather than trying to continue a pointless exercise about Brother Beck's comments taken out of context by those who believe that the real source of "social justice" comes from the almighty federal government or more specifically the Democrat controlled federal government redistributing (wasting) working Americans tax dollars in the name of creating a "socially just" society. (yes,,,major run on) Why not all agree that there are well intentioned people from all over the political spectrum and their are also selfish, self serving hacks from all sides.

First and foremost, the mission of the LDS church is to Preach the Gospel, Perfect the Saints and Redeem the Dead. Service is huge and helping the down trodden is as well and our efforts have helped countless people worldwide.

Should the church..meaning it's members promote "social justice" by being color blind and giving of our time and talents to enrich the life's of others? Absolutely. Should we support organizations like the Reverend (so-called) Wright's as referenced by Brother Beck.....I think not.

[Moksha]

Moksha,

Rather than trying to continue a pointless exercise about Brother Beck's comments...

Not a pointless exercise at all. Brother Beck shared his views on TV, but the question remains how we as a Church view social justice?

My guess is that Brother Beck was underlining his own political viewpoint, as well as that of his employer, rather than considering the historic precedent Christianity has set in valuing people caring for one another and helping those in need.

I do know that our Church just recently added a 4th objective and that is to care for the poor and needy, which would put it in sync with the social justice objective of the Catholics.

[MarginOfError]

Moksha,

Rather than trying to continue a pointless exercise about Brother Beck's comments taken out of context by those who believe that the real source of "social justice" comes from the almighty federal government or more specifically the Democrat controlled federal government redistributing (wasting) working Americans tax dollars in the name of creating a "socially just" society. (yes,,,major run on) Why not all agree that there are well intentioned people from all over the political spectrum and their are also selfish, self serving hacks from all sides.

First and foremost, the mission of the LDS church is to Preach the Gospel, Perfect the Saints and Redeem the Dead. Service is huge and helping the down trodden is as well and our efforts have helped countless people worldwide.

Should the church..meaning it's members promote "social justice" by being color blind and giving of our time and talents to enrich the life's of others? Absolutely. Should we support organizations like the Reverend (so-called) Wright's as referenced by Brother Beck.....I think not.

And later this year, the Church is scheduled to release a new edition of the CHI adding a purpose, "To care for the poor and needy." Service to the down trodden will no longer be considered a component of the current purposes, but it's own purpose and end. What does that mean in the context of social justice? I don't know

I do know that the Church is in favor of fair treatment, fair pay, and better livelihoods for all people. I also know that the Church has no stance on how those goals should be met in a civic context.

[NeuroTypical]

If you spend a few minutes listening to Glen Beck, you'll hear him ask his listeners to think carefully about the different definitions of 'social justice'. You'll hear him talk about what the average good person and Christ thought about it, and why that form of social justice is a wonderful thing. Then you'll hear him talk about what's got his panties in a knot - when marxists and communists and socialist progressives and black liberation theologists use the phrase as a way of making Christians more comfortable with notions of increased government control.

Then he'll ask you to go to your church's website and see what it has to say about social justice. If you get a bunch of links to government programs, it means the latter. If you get a bunch of links to ways you can volunteer your time or whatnot, it means the former.

Yeah, Glen Beck is extreme and sorta nutty. But if you're gonna take issue with him, the least you could do is find out what his positions actually are.

Disclaimer: Yeah, I know nobody mentioned Beck in this thread. No, I'm not accusing anyone of trying to sidestep any issues. It's just that I have a time machine, and in the alternate universe where I convinced Beck to be a liberal, Moksha never started this thread.

LM

[Just_A_Guy]

You know, I love how some people (no one in this thread, of course; but I've seen it on other blogs recently) spend all their days complaining about how the Church is dominated by socially conservative neanderthals; but then when Glenn Beck suggests that people (ulp!) find a church they agree with, these same individuals try to paint the Mormon Church as fundamentally socially liberal in nature and accuse Beck of encouraging the bulk of its membership to apostatize.

Isn't there some scripture in Isaiah about those who lay traps and try to make their adversaries "offenders for a word"?

Edited March 19, 2010 by Just_A_Guy

[HEthePrimate]

Can't speak for every Mormon, but as one member of the Church, I think that working toward social justice is an important part of following the commandments.

Shalom,

HEP

[bytor2112]

Can't speak for every Mormon, but as one member of the Church, I think that working toward social justice is an important part of following the commandments.

Shalom,

HEP

Social justice meaning what?

[NeuroTypical]

but as one member of the Church, I think that working toward social justice is an important part of following the commandments.

Social justice meaning what?

I'm guessing HEthePrimate's definition is the marxist/communist/socialist one. If we don't make our govt take money from someone under the threat of force and give it to someone else, we're not being socially just.

LM

(needlessly divisive)

[Guest]

Free agency. That's what the LDS preach on social justice.

[rameumptom]

Is "social justice" something that requires government to do? Or is it what society must do to be considered just? Two entirely different concepts. If government manages it, is society just? Or has society managed to pass off its responsibility to government? Personally, I think it is the latter.

I do not think social justice and liberalism are easily scalable. It creates fraud and a people who no longer understand charity. After the 2004 tsunami, American people donated more money than all the governments of Europe combined. Europeans didn't donate much as individuals, because they felt it was a government function.

Our Medicare program shows just how wasteful a large social program is. Donations given by churches and people to needy individuals usually have much less waste and fraud. I'd donate to Bill Gates' foundation quicker than I would the US government's "charities".

[ruthiechan]

You know the first thought that came to mind were some of the reasons why someone is excommunicated from the Church. Child molestation for one. I thought, we'll that's the greatest punishment one can have from the Church itself. It's a potentially eternal punishment.

None of this other stuff y'all are talking about even came into my mind.

[Guest mormonmusic]

Is Social Justice an integral part of our Church?

There seem to be many shades to the term "social justice" but if we go with the simple one -- the idea that one should be working toward a world that is fair for all (look up the 'Just World Hypothesis' in the psychology literature), I would say that the Church is definitely into social justice.

But the means of getting there are consistent with a more right-wing philosophy, and rely on the charitable character of the person to make such Social Justice Happen.

2. What could we list as examples of Social Justice in our Church?

1. The Church Welfare program which encourages those who have, to give up their substance to help the Have Nots become more self-reliant. The City of Enoch had a strong commitment to social justice, where "there was no poor among them". I lived in a Ward like that -- people gave so freely we were running Ward surpluses on fast offering funds, and the Bishop was so effective we had all the people who were needing assistance got education, training, jobs, and pulled themselves into self-reliance and a decent standard of living.

2. In the temple, everyone is equal. There is no status or inequality -- and this is to mirror the society we ultimately aspire to in the celestial kingdom.

3. Regarding Church callings, there are the constant reminders that we shouldn't seek position, that there should be no unrighteous dominion or other methods that create a culture of power and authority over others.

In fact, the very nature of the priesthood demands that methods which are kind and loving and persuasive are the only methods that are effective, otherwise "the heavens withdraw themselves". There is no pecking order in the Church, at least, not where I live. I hear it rears its ugly head in parts of Alberta and Utah, however, but have never experienced it first hand.

4. The United Order was an exercise in social justice, in my view. And that's a discussion thread in itself...

Edited March 20, 2010 by mormonmusic

[Moksha]

I was just thinking of that Samaritan walking along the road. I think he was big into social justice. Although he might not have been one of us, whose will do you think he was serving when he offered his sustenance and help?

How might this thought figure into our view of social justice?

[Just_A_Guy]

I was just thinking of that Samaritan walking along the road. I think he was big into social justice. Although he might not have been one of us, whose will do you think he was serving when he offered his sustenance and help?

How might this thought figure into our view of social justice?

Well, let's think about this for a minute.

Samaritan ("S") wishes to help Victim ("V"). In order to do so he requires the goods and services of Innkeeper ("I").

The left-wing view of "social justice" would be for "S" to get an edict from Procurator ("P") requiring "I" to care for "V", on pain of fine or imprisonment.

The right-wing view of "social justice" would be for "S" to purchase the requisite goods and services from "I" in a free market, giving "I" a choice whether or not he wishes to participate in "S"'s charitable endeavor.

Which view is closer to what happened in the parable?

Edited March 20, 2010 by Just_A_Guy

[john doe]

I was just thinking of that Samaritan walking along the road. I think he was big into social justice. Although he might not have been one of us, whose will do you think he was serving when he offered his sustenance and help?

How might this thought figure into our view of social justice?

And here's the rub. The question is, what would have happened if the government had forced the Samaritan to provide the services he provided out of his own pocket? Would the Samaritan have even had the opportunity to show charity the charity of his heart if the government had a program in place that taxed the people on the region to provide medical care and housing for the man? What level of care do you think the hurt man would have received if the government had contracted that care instead of the Samaritan?

When government removes the general goodness of the people by replacing their efforts with large inefficient bureaucracies, the quality of services goes down and less care actually makes it to the recipient. When individuals become personally involved with providing service to their fellow man, quality of care and personalized service tailored to the individual goes up. Both the giver and the recipient of the service are blessed to greater extents when charity is given willingly and received with gratitude. Those two things go away when all of a sudden the government decides that the receiver is automatically entitled to receive those things. The recipient thinks he is owed those things, and the giver resents being forced by the government to provide them. When government gets involved, 'charity' ceases to become Charity.

This attitude is already here. What do we do when we see a panhandler? We refer them to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen. Why? Because we are suspicious of whether they are really in need, so we send them to places where someone else can make that decision for us. It removes the burden on us to think and make wise decisions about what kinds of service we can provided to the person to better their life. Besides, if we donate clothes to the shelter once in a while, we feel better about ourselves and think we are being charitable. But are we really doing anything to help the chronic homeless person out of their situation? I think that it helps, but the overall effect is miniscule in the grand scheme of things. We are not providing personal service from ourselves to the individual person, and helping make decisions that will ultimately help them become more able to take care of themselves. We are making them more dependent upon the system, and not lifting them up at all.

[Guest mormonmusic]

I think you can have social justice with or without government intervention. However, social justice that springs from the voluntary, charitable character of man/woman, is the kind of social justice God wants.

This is implied in D&C 121 where the Lord says that the proper form of governance is one in which "without compulsory means, your kingdom flows unto you". This means that Heavenly Father's conception of social justice is one where people help the poor and needy and elevate the standard of living for all without being legislated or forced to do it -- they do it out of the charitable character of their hearts.

And this is the goal of his Kingdom on earth -- to change men's hearts and character so they give without being compelled.

[bytor2112]

Isn't the parable about how Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. The Samaritan (Christ) hated and despised, not only saves the victim(sinner) from dying but redeems him by continuing to see to his needs until he is whole.

Edited March 21, 2010 by bytor2112

[Moksha]

This attitude is already here. What do we do when we see a panhandler? We refer them to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen. Why? Because we are suspicious of whether they are really in need, so we send them to places where someone else can make that decision for us.

Good thing some religious groups have taken upon themselves, in their quest for social justice, running these homeless shelters and soup kitchens to which we only make referrals due to our suspicion.

While many may feel this way regarding a once removed interface with those in need, I am uncertain as to whether this is part of Church doctrine or the conservatism of those members.