Wednesday, May 9, 2007

What the Heck is Social Justice?


From another helpful article by Rose Marie Berger (The Hungry Spirit: What the Heck is Social Justice?):
"The goal of social charity and social justice is furthering the common good. Social charity addresses the effects of social sin, while social justice addresses the causes of such sins. Brazilian Catholic Archbishop Hélder Câmara famously said, “When I feed the poor, they call me a saint; when I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.” His phrase indicates the societal pressure to separate charity and justice. The two can not be separated. It would be like taking the heart out of a body—neither would live for long."

When was the last time someone called you a communist? When was the last time anyone was uncomfortable with the questions you ask and the way you live? If we cannot separate charity and justice - what will social justice look like in the context of our current system (the salvation army)?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

big questions!!

Kath said...

i can introduce you to some more people if your list is running short on those who are made uncomftable by your lifestyle..

Kath said...

i can introduce you to some more people if your list is running short on those who are made uncomftable by your lifestyle..