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I was reading news about Catholics and politics. Some believe that Democrats are a better choice than republicans because they are more alignted with the Catholics on social justice and the War in Iraq. Others have said that abortion is a non-negotiable subject and even that gay marriage is non-negotiable. That last I find interesting. Isn't gay marriage about social justice? I wonder how the Catholics see it.

Social justice is an interesting thing. For the Catholics, it is apparently an issue worth considering for voting. I have not seen a similar value from other Christians. However, I am reminded of some study often mentioned by Daniel Peterson which said that conservatives tend to donate more to charity than liberals. Now I'm beginning to wonder whether the Catholics are carrying the conservative team in this regard.

I find it interesting that Mormon, on the other hand, seem to be free to vote for any political party they want (although they are strongly pressured to support prop. 8 in California) but I do not see helping the poor as a considertaion for voting.

Thoughts?

Social justice is an interesting thing.

It's a left-wing code word for making everyone a victim ala socialism or some form of immorality.

bcspace wrote:

Social justice is an interesting thing.

It's a left-wing code word for making everyone a victim ala socialism or some form of immorality.

Catholics don't see it that way (if I'm reading the news right). I'm curious as to why not for them and then why for others.

Indeed, some readings of the Book of Mormon from King Benjamin might make one suspect that social justice or at least some causes generally championed by Democrats is indeed very important to our salvation.

It's a left-wing code word for making everyone a victim ala socialism or some form of immorality.

Catholics don't see it that way (if I'm reading the news right). I'm curious as to why not for them and then why for others.

Probably because they've bought into the notion that the left uses to standard defintions of the words among themselves.

Indeed, some readings of the Book of Mormon from King Benjamin might make one suspect that social justice or at least some causes generally championed by Democrats is indeed very important to our salvation.

There are none such at all. The individual is responsible for helping the poor, not the government. Socialsm forces the individual to help (through taxation or mandatory redistribution) thus removing agency and the benefits of personal responsibility. That is why socialism is a counterfeit of the gospel plan.

bcspace wrote:There are none such at all. The individual is responsible for helping the poor, not the government. Socialsm forces the individual to help (through taxation or mandatory redistribution) thus removing agency and the benefits of personal responsibility. That is why socialism is a counterfeit of the gospel plan.

We're getting off the topic I intended. I don't wish to argue whether or not Democrats are compatible with Mormonism. I'm trying to figure out why Catholics and other Christians seem very different in this regard. You are on topic inasmuch as I am also curious as to why many church members do not see King Benjamin's speech in a similar light to the Catholics. What makes Catholics different? Also, I am curious as to whether Mormons in the early church history tended to vote more for "socal justice".

We're getting off the topic I intended. I don't wish to argue whether or not Democrats are compatible with Mormonism. I'm trying to figure out why Catholics and other Christians seem very different in this regard. You are on topic inasmuch as I am also curious as to why many church members do not see King Benjamin's speech in a similar light to the Catholics. What makes Catholics different? Also, I am curious as to whether Mormons in the early church history tended to vote more for "socal justice".

I think you'll want to define what you mean by social justice. At least I want you to.

My understanding of social justice was that helping the poor was more importand than improving the GDP but letting the gap between rich and poor increase while many are unable to obtain health care.

It appears that the Catholic church may have a slightly different and more precise definition. In any case, it appears that capitalism is condemned while yet all isms have been condemned too by the Catholics.

My understanding of social justice was that helping the poor was more importand than improving the GDP but letting the gap between rich and poor increase while many are unable to obtain health care.

That would be a left-wing definition. I don't see how King Benjamin's speech even speaks to this as it (social justice) implies the government taking control.

It appears that the Catholic church may have a slightly different and more precise definition. In any case, it appears that capitalism is condemned while yet all isms have been condemned too by the Catholics.

Captialism seems to be the only just system instituted by man possibly with inspiration from God (I'm referring to the LDS notion that the US Constitution is inspired).

I think the difference between LDS Christian and Catholics (if they do indeed embrace social justice) is the principle or emphasis on agency and personal responsibility. Should the government take control of forcing people to be good, or should people be anxiously engaged in a good cause without forcing others to do the same?

Some religious people disagree with the idealism of social justice, prefering to simply label it as a left-wing or communist conspiracy. For them, social justice runs contrary to unrestrained dog-eat-dog capitalism which they admire.

bcspace wrote:Captialism seems to be the only just system instituted by man possibly with inspiration from God (I'm referring to the LDS notion that the US Constitution is inspired).

Fine, I'll play. How does dog-eat-dog capitalism fit with:
D&C 49:20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.

I think there is a lot more to the LDS story than simply the Republican party. I would hope D&C 49:20 would be taken into account somehow. One might get away with stating that this equality should come through church and charity rather than government, but I do wonder how to ensure that it is equality for all, and not just Mormons. On the other hand, provision would need to be made to ensure that it is scalable. Or maybe I'm reading the scriptures like D&C 49:20 wong and capitalism is good and parable of Lazarus and the rich man was really a condemnation of socialism.