Defining Social Justice

[This Vale Of Tears]

Syndicated conservative talk show host Glenn Beck offers this advice: "If you hear the term 'social justice' in your church then RUN!"

When did social justice become political?

I hear a lot of differing definitions on social justice and many of them involve enlisting social policy to meet the needs of the poor. Program after program is created from welfare to food stamps, to housing assistance and this is deemed social justice.

I don't try to conceal the fact that I think the liberal notion of social justice is an infectious cancer in the Catholic Church and when people think of social justice as a religious principle, they think of the Catholic Church and how many Catholics defining social justice seem to be spouting off bullet points from the Democrat platform. We know that Jesus is neither a Republican or a Democrat, but many insist that he still rides donkeys today, Democrat donkeys.

So what is social justice? It's a concept lifted right from the pages of scripture. The Good Samaritan parable is a prime example of social justice. The Samaritan didn't wait for a government program, didn't reach into the pockets of others, and didn't put on a conspicuous public display of how compassionate he was. He carried the man to a hospital, reached into his own pocket to cover the expenses for his care, and promised to cover any additional expenses.

Real social justice seats the responsibility to care for our fellow man squarely on us. You don't achieve social justice by voting for a politician who promises another program at taxpayer expense. You get no points in heaven for dragooning your fellow citizens into helping the poor, nor does the wealth purloined from taxpayers for various social programs achieve social justice. Now in saying this, I also have to say that social justice doesn't necessarily exclude the involvement of government because I believe that government is the best venue to address chronic need such as permanent disability, etc. But government programs are not social justice.

So let's stop passing to others a responsibility that belongs only to us.

 

[Suhar]

[SIZE=16pt]Some terms are hijacked by movements that did not generate them. Even some words changed their meaning when misused by some groups. Clearest example is “gay” it used to mean something totally different then sodomy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16pt]Whatever “social justice” used to mean before now days it means taking money from productive members of society and giving it to non-productive ones. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16pt]Let’s not turn it into a debate over true need and pure laziness that makes people non-productive. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=16pt] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=16pt](Funny things happen when I transfer text from Word to this site. Format changes, everything gets underlined… I don’t get it.)[/SIZE]

 

[The_highwayman]

Syndicated conservative talk show host Glenn Beck offers this advice: "If you hear the term 'social justice' in your church then RUN!"

When did social justice become political?

I hear a lot of differing definitions on social justice and many of them involve enlisting social policy to meet the needs of the poor. Program after program is created from welfare to food stamps, to housing assistance and this is deemed social justice.

I don't try to conceal the fact that I think the liberal notion of social justice is an infectious cancer in the Catholic Church and when people think of social justice as a religious principle, they think of the Catholic Church and how many Catholics defining social justice seem to be spouting off bullet points from the Democrat platform. We know that Jesus is neither a Republican or a Democrat, but many insist that he still rides donkeys today, Democrat donkeys.

So what is social justice? It's a concept lifted right from the pages of scripture. The Good Samaritan parable is a prime example of social justice. The Samaritan didn't wait for a government program, didn't reach into the pockets of others, and didn't put on a conspicuous public display of how compassionate he was. He carried the man to a hospital, reached into his own pocket to cover the expenses for his care, and promised to cover any additional expenses.

Real social justice seats the responsibility to care for our fellow man squarely on us. You don't achieve social justice by voting for a politician who promises another program at taxpayer expense. You get no points in heaven for dragooning your fellow citizens into helping the poor, nor does the wealth purloined from taxpayers for various social programs achieve social justice. Now in saying this, I also have to say that social justice doesn't necessarily exclude the involvement of government because I believe that government is the best venue to address chronic need such as permanent disability, etc. But government programs are not social justice.

So let's stop passing to others a responsibility that belongs only to us.

The Methodist denomination has embraced Social Justice big time and it is draining their membership ranks, because of 2 things.

First, Many Methodist ministers in our area are very liberal in their politics and that bias influences their church policy on social justice.
Second, and I only speak for the methodist conference in our area, they have begin down the slippery slope, that Jesus was really a Social Justice Prophet and have taken away his divine nature and repalcing it with a damnable doctrine that says Jesus was only concerned with liberal biased social justice and that is what made him great and not that he was divine in nature or the son of God and only teach God is the divine being, but Jesus was jsut a man who expects us to dish out liberal social justice.

 

[aspen]

Social Justice is putting our sanctification into practice by loving our neighbor

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Social Justice is putting our sanctification into practice by loving our neighbor

amen. stated another way, (social) justice is treating your neighbor in the same way that you'd like them to treat you.

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

The Methodist denomination has embraced Social Justice big time and it is draining their membership ranks, because of 2 things.

First, Many Methodist ministers in our area are very liberal in their politics and that bias influences their church policy on social justice.
Second, and I only speak for the methodist conference in our area, they have begin down the slippery slope, that Jesus was really a Social Justice Prophet and have taken away his divine nature and repalcing it with a damnable doctrine that says Jesus was only concerned with liberal biased social justice and that is what made him great and not that he was divine in nature or the son of God and only teach God is the divine being, but Jesus was jsut a man who expects us to dish out liberal social justice.

I did not know that about the Methodists, but it doesn't surprise me that some mainline Protestant denominations are getting into this too. You also correctly point out that embracing liberalism in Christianity leads invariably to changing the message of who God is. Suddenly God no longer has a problem with homosexuality, abortion, or other forms of social evil. Moreover, it co-opts Jesus to conform with a political party and its philosophies. Anyone well acquainted with the gospels understands that Jesus did not conform or fit in to any of the factions of his day, though many tried to enlist him in their political cause. Jesus would have very little in common with either Democrats or Republicans, nor any other of the wrangling special interests or the raging of nations. The kingdom of heaven and the kingdoms of men are segregated, a point that Jesus stressed repeatedly.

For those of us who truly know and love the Lord, this is all highly offensive and sickening.

Social Justice is putting our sanctification into practice by loving our neighbor

Which brings up another paramount point concerning real, scriptural social justice. It involves personal interaction, not setting up a government bureaucracy to do our "charity" for us. In the social justice we learn from the gospels, there is no wall separating us from those we are called to love and care for. We can't see the face of Christ in our neighbor if we don't see our neighbor. Even if we write a check to charities, which is a good thing, it's no substitute for going to the soup kitchens, shelters, prisons, etc and showing the love of Christ face to face. Real social justice is the gospel of Christ manifest in a very personal way. It's being Jesus to those who Jesus wants to reach.

Which is why this monstrosity of political social justice indicted in my OP is, in my opinion, estranged from the gospel of Christ.

[SIZE=16pt]Some terms are hijacked by movements that did not generate them. Even some words changed their meaning when misused by some groups. Clearest example is “gay” it used to mean something totally different then sodomy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16pt]Whatever “social justice” used to mean before now days it means taking money from productive members of society and giving it to non-productive ones. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16pt]Let’s not turn it into a debate over true need and pure laziness that makes people non-productive. [/SIZE]

And for this reason the liberal idea of social justice is really social INjustice. We are called to give of our own resources, talents, and treasures, not those of our neighbors. The way that Democrat religionists have perverted social justice to justify legislative plunder and Marxist redistribution of wealth is just obscene.

 

[aspen]

I work with youth who are homeless.

 

[Suhar]

. We are called to give of our own resources, talents, and treasures, not those of our neighbors. The way that Democrat religionists have perverted social justice to justify legislative plunder and Marxist redistribution of wealth is just obscene.

[SIZE=medium]Soon as I was able to comprehend and communicate in English I moved on. Got commercial drivers license, job and moved on. I fought my way into lower middle class tooth and nail. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]But there are so many leaches, this society it is being sucked dry.[/SIZE]

 

[The_highwayman]

To be quite honest, the term social justice is just another feel good and warm fuzzy political correctness term, that has invaded the church and has now sprouted into a false teaching.

The church universal, both Catholic & Protestant have failed to understand the difference between a kingdom mindset and mans interpretation of the kingdom.

The Kingdom is not a democracy or a republic. The Bible tells you in many places what the Kingdom is and how it is represented. This is why we have more Christians involved in politics than expanding the kingdom.

Wake up folks.

 

[aspen]

To be quite honest, the term social justice is just another feel good and warm fuzzy political correctness term, that has invaded the church and has now sprouted into a false teaching.
The church universal, both Catholic & Protestant have failed to understand the difference between a kingdom mindset and mans interpretation of the kingdom.
The Kingdom is not a democracy or a republic. The Bible tells you in many places what the Kingdom is and how it is represented. This is why we have more Christians involved in politics than expanding the kingdom.
Wake up folks.

Seems to me that other Christians out there like to warn everyone about how they are failing as Christians, while only providing the vaguest allusion to what being a Christian is really about. Sort of like Chicken Little.

 

[The_highwayman]

Seems to me that other Christians out there like to warn everyone about how they are failing as Christians, while only providing the vaguest allusion to what being a Christian is really about. Sort of like Chicken Little.

Aspen,
I did not say any Christian was failing, I said many Christians need to wake up. Big difference.

 

[aspen]

What do you mean by 'wake up'?? What does that even mean?

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

To be quite honest, the term social justice is just another feel good and warm fuzzy political correctness term, that has invaded the church and has now sprouted into a false teaching.

The church universal, both Catholic & Protestant have failed to understand the difference between a kingdom mindset and mans interpretation of the kingdom.

The Kingdom is not a democracy or a republic. The Bible tells you in many places what the Kingdom is and how it is represented. This is why we have more Christians involved in politics than expanding the kingdom.

Wake up folks.

The term 'social justice' is far more antique than it's modern evolution. It isn't social justice that's invaded the church, it's demonic leftist ideologies. All socialist regimes have been ushered in through bloody revolution and catering to the poor and the worker class. In America, a more subtle approach is being used, but the end result is the same, broken promises, poverty, starvation, misery, and oppression.

The late Pope John Paul II spent his entire life fighting this.

Seems to me that other Christians out there like to warn everyone about how they are failing as Christians, while only providing the vaguest allusion to what being a Christian is really about. Sort of like Chicken Little

I don't think that's what's going on here. I think that the Catholic Church in America is falling into an unholy liaison with government. All the worst mistakes through our history have occurred to the degree we were wedded to the provincial government and our cause to defend and promote the kingdom of heaven was corrupted through the influences of earthly kingdoms and the seduction of power. Cardinal Mahoney of the Los Angeles is a prime example of this, his diocese having grown rich through corrupt partnerships with Democrat politicians. It wasn't until much of those assets had to be sold to pay for the lawsuits stemming from the sexual abuse scandals (oh yes, he was in the thick of the cover-up!) that the public was made aware of just how obscenely rich the Los Angeles diocese had become. Money that should have gone to charity was instead used to garner power and political favor.

And the perversion of the term 'social justice' is a cover for all of this.

 

[aspen]

hmmmm...

Well, I guess if we could just get rid of those democrats, all scandals in the RCC will end; all construction on Mosques will end, and everyone will accept Jesus as Lord....

All we need is a group to demonize, right Vale?

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

hmmmm...

Well, I guess if we could just get rid of those democrats, all scandals in the RCC will end; all construction on Mosques will end, and everyone will accept Jesus as Lord....

All we need is a group to demonize, right Vale?

I think you got your head in the sand, purposely blinding yourself to the repeating of history. You can't refute anything I'm saying, so you ridicule.

 

[The_highwayman]

The term 'social justice' is far more antique than it's modern evolution. It isn't social justice that's invaded the church, it's demonic leftist ideologies. All socialist regimes have been ushered in through bloody revolution and catering to the poor and the worker class. In America, a more subtle approach is being used, but the end result is the same, broken promises, poverty, starvation, misery, and oppression.

The late Pope John Paul II spent his entire life fighting this.

I don't think that's what's going on here. I think that the Catholic Church in America is falling into an unholy liaison with government. All the worst mistakes through our history have occurred to the degree we were wedded to the provincial government and our cause to defend and promote the kingdom of heaven was corrupted through the influences of earthly kingdoms and the seduction of power. Cardinal Mahoney of the Los Angeles is a prime example of this, his diocese having grown rich through corrupt partnerships with Democrat politicians. It wasn't until much of those assets had to be sold to pay for the lawsuits stemming from the sexual abuse scandals (oh yes, he was in the thick of the cover-up!) that the public was made aware of just how obscenely rich the Los Angeles diocese had become. Money that should have gone to charity was instead used to garner power and political favor.

And the perversion of the term 'social justice' is a cover for all of this.

Vale,
I cannot and will not comment on the RCC or any of it's issues as I am not a Catholic and I do not think it is right to engage in comments, since i do not know the inter workings of the RCC.

friendly disclosure I am a protestant

I can say that many protestant denominations and poltical bias go hand in hand. The Baptist/evangelical right and the republicans, Tea Party, etc. The Methodists, Lutherans and presbyterian more to the left. I would say Methodists are more liberal left than other protestant denominations. The protestant Full Gosepl denominations such as Pentecostal Holiness and Assembly Of God, Church of God, etc Tend to fall along geographical locations.

It will be interesting to see in both the catholic and protestant churches what happens when the government decides to take away the tax deducation for tithing and the not for propfit status of churches!

Maybe that is the great falling away in the Bible...what?!?!? my tithe aint tax deducatible no more...fine, I am goign to quit going to church! LO and just kidding of course

 

[aspen]

Vale,

Your posts are too generalized to refute! Blaming one group of 'them' for all problems is called scapegoating - it is purposefully immune from all critique.

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

Vale,

Your posts are too generalized to refute! Blaming one group of 'them' for all problems is called scapegoating - it is purposefully immune from all critique.

I cited Cardinal Mahoney as a specific example. Your criticism is vacated.

Vale,
I cannot and will not comment on the RCC or any of it's issues as I am not a Catholic and I do not think it is right to engage in comments, since i do not know the inter workings of the RCC.

friendly disclosure I am a protestant

I can say that many protestant denominations and poltical bias go hand in hand. The Baptist/evangelical right and the republicans, Tea Party, etc. The Methodists, Lutherans and presbyterian more to the left. I would say Methodists are more liberal left than other protestant denominations. The protestant Full Gosepl denominations such as Pentecostal Holiness and Assembly Of God, Church of God, etc Tend to fall along geographical locations.

It will be interesting to see in both the catholic and protestant churches what happens when the government decides to take away the tax deducation for tithing and the not for propfit status of churches!

Maybe that is the great falling away in the Bible...what?!?!? my tithe aint tax deducatible no more...fine, I am goign to quit going to church! LO and just kidding of course

Well first I'll say that you are welcome to comment on all things Catholic because I believe Christ only has one Church.

And you're right that the corruption is affecting many denominations, especially with the "seeker friendly" movement that has thoroughly compromised many large churches. But the persecution isn't in the future, it's happening right now. Obamacare forces the Catholic Church to distribute contraceptive and abortifacient agents and while the Magic Negro has generously granted exceptions for all his collaborators, there is none forthcoming for religions who have specific protections against this kind of thing in the Constitution.

And BTW, no you are not kidding when it comes to quitting going to church. The day swiftly approaches where all mainline denominations will be licensed and controlled by government and the only way to find real Christianity is to go underground and meet in secret. Biblical prophesy is all about things coming full circle. The Church began in persecution and it will end in persecution until the day Christ returns.

 

[aspen]

Vale,

How does citing bishop Mahoney being supposedly attacked by 'them' help narrow down who 'them' is?

Wasn't Mahoney a bishop who covered up sex abuse?

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

Vale,

How does citing bishop Mahoney being supposedly attacked by 'them' help narrow down who 'them' is?

Wasn't Mahoney a bishop who covered up sex abuse?

And he was heavily connected to the Democrat party. You got me all wrong. I'm not concerned that American Catholic cardinals are in bed with Democrats, I'm outraged that any church official is cozy with ANY politician. We're supposed to be the kingdom of heaven, aloof from the entanglements of earthly political factions and special interests. I'll note correctly that to the degree Catholic clergy have colluded with political agenda's it's been largely Democrat party agenda's. but my ultimate condemnation is any entanglements with earthly powers whatsoever. I've correctly argued that all of the mistakes of the Catholic church historically have involved such liaisons and you have failed to refute that notion.