Every Theology test in high school always had the last question: “what does it mean to believe?” I’ve forgotten most of my answers at this point in time. But I haven’t forgotten about all the religions I’ve studied.
Theology was the one subject whose binder I kept for all these years. I’ve found many reflections from the year, such as learning how to pray. Theology also taught me a lot about social justice, believe it or not.
Truth 1
God has made all human beings in his image. This gives us a share in his divine life. Justice requires that we recognize and respect the divine presence in others.
Another truth is that human beings were created to live in communion with one another. The partnership between Adam and Eve is the perfectly imperfect model for the loving friendship, relationship, or however you interpret the story.
Believe it or not, there is justice in the Bible. 1) A just person is in the right relationship with God and, secondly, in the right relationship with human beings. 2) All justice flows from God and human beings are called to participate in God’s justice. 3) In the Old Law, justice is primarily about treating members of one’s own community fairly and equally. In the New Law, justice means extending that love to people outside your community.
The authority of governments/social institutions flows from God’s authority; thus, their actions must reflect the common good. Saint Thomas Aquinas may have done some [currently] politically incorrect things, but he was right when he said that no human being is “above the law.”
I keep seeing this one image, and ultimately shared it because I’m just tired of the hypocrisy. It’s basically a sign that reads, “Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It’s not pie.”
It’s not pie. I want to say that so badly for people who think immigrants are “taking our jobs,” when in actuality, the people who are saying that have jobs; especially those who can’t afford to get an advanced degree or are dealing with personal, mental, physical, or familial matters of their own. But don’t blame immigrants for your own personal B.S.
Governments and economic institutions must protect and provide for [both] citizens’ material needs and allow them to exercise the natural freedoms people need to fulfill their basic human rights.
Now listen, why am I going off like this? I’m tired. Plus, as a future lawyer, I need to argue both sides of a case — including religion and government.
All sin has an impact on society and sometimes this impact is seen easily; sometimes, it takes some analysis to uncover its social impact. With that being said, it may take time for the social impact to take effect.
