Social Justice in politics and religion

[_Roger Morrison]

Hi Asbestosman, if there's a definitive answer to your question, I don't have it. But, in my experience I have, generally speaking, found RC to be far more devoted to their religion, and its distinctions, than most Protestants, in Canada anyway.

One distinction is Confession. Which I think might have a tendency to keep a person humble by the fact of knowing they need to confess (and are forgiven) as do all others in their Community of Christ. Thus there is a social leveling that does not exist in the highly competitive Capitalistic-Christian Community--where that exists.

While stringent in their liturgies they take Christ's Social Gospel very serious. RC hospitals, facilities for the poor etc are part and parcel of Catholicism, as Jesus taught in his Sermon On The Mount. It was one of my most enjoyed activities to volunteer at The Sheppards Of Good Hope street mission for several years. Even had some LDS Missionaries work in there occasionally.

Short answer: RCs are conditioned to be universally compassionate. IMSCO

Roger

[_antishock8]

[_bcspace]

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.

Where is it written that a government should force this? WE should be free with our substance. WE choose for ourselves when, if, and to what extent. Otherwise, agency is violated.

Therefore, capitalism remains the only just system as in such a system, another man, or group of them, does not decide for another. If the Constitution is inspired by God, how come He didn't add a socialist component?

[_Roger Morrison]

THIS has the makings of a VERY-FUN-GAME. I'll just watch and laugh for a bit. :-)

[_LifeOnaPlate]

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.

Hey, the dogs sometimes leave some scraps for the weaker dogs. Let's be fair.

[_asbestosman]

Where is it written that a government should force this? WE should be free with our substance. WE choose for ourselves when, if, and to what extent. Otherwise, agency is violated.

I take it then, that you're against the financial bailout because I think my agency is being violated. Oh yeah, agency is also being violated when they made zoning restrictions, taxed us for a war many of us didn't agree to, and prohibits us from smoking a joint.

Therefore, capitalism remains the only just system as in such a system, another man, or group of them, does not decide for another.

Shame on God for trying something other than capitalism in early church history. Naughty little Law of Consecration. Bad United Order. Bad, bad, bad.

If the Constitution is inspired by God, how come He didn't add a socialist component?

I dunno. Why didn't He ban slavery, give women the right to vote, and make up His mind about prohibition from the get-go?

[_moksha]

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.

The answer is that it doesn't fit in with dog-eat-dog capitalism. There are too many contradictions with core Christianity to make it work. How could you look out for your fellow man and make sure the needy are provided for? How could you extend love when your eyes are on the bottom line? Capitalists would spend too much time trying to fit through the eye of a needle (how big of needle would you need to fit a private jet through anyway?) than working on their portfolio.

[Guest]

All I know is when the CEO of Lehman Brothers was getting paid $480,000,000 while asking for an $85,000,000,000 bailout, and he then he got it... Well, it makes both Capitalism and Socialism look really damned bad.

Oh, and after AIG got the most recent bailout their white collar cronies took a $500,000 paid vacation at a spa in California.

That's Capitalism, folks. And that's Socialism, folks. Welcome to fuckin' America.

There's only one man that can change this, folks. Only one man. Nay. Only one being that can change this. I think we all know who it is...

[_The Dude]

Asbestosman,

I've been wondering something along the same lines. Mormons are the most ardent republicans and conservatives of any religion (I can cite Pew research on this). In this election, Utah and Idaho are the states where McCain polls the highest while Obama polls the lowest. Why are Mormons so hidebound? No other major religion is as politically un-diverse as the LDS. As you point out, fair arguments can be made for connecting Mormon beliefs with certain Democratic or social ideals, so why has it been so hard for that to take root among the LDS?

I think "social justice" and some other good things are not favored because they are identified with Democrats, who are identified with big government, and the government is still viewed with deep suspicion because of the way the Saints were treated from Missouri through the end of polygamy. They still aren't over it. The Republican rhetoric takes advantage of this feeling, even though today it is the Republican base that pays the most disrespects to Mormon belief. Habits are hard to break.

I'll bet things are different among the LDS in other parts of the world.

[_asbestosman]

I can't read that, but I can read the original here.

Well, I think caracatures are funny so I suppose that at least my sense of humor section can't have atrophied to a single cell. Anyhow, I do not consider myself a democrat and in fact I tend to believe in the free market even though I recognize some possible theological problems with it.