Social Justice and Religion

Amongst the many conversations I have had about the health care takeover, one in particular has left me trouble. To be clear, I have been vehemently opposed to Obamacare. The way the bill was literally forced upon us and stole our freedoms, speaks volumes about its ethical nature. As a friend and I were debating this point, he stopped and said, “Mike, by being opposed to the health care bill, you are denying your Christian responsibility to take care of the poor.” Oh how often such a phrase is used. The classic case of the “religion” card being used to guilt others into changing their beliefs. What a load of crap. The Progressives (socialists) have been using this technique for well over a hundred years, since the days of Woodrow Wilson. See, they know that at its core, this country is a God fearing nation. Despite those who wish to remove God from every aspect of our national landscape, the majority of Americans believe that our foundation is based on God. The Progressives are using this deeply held religious belief to push through their agenda. President Obama says that the term “social justice” has nothing to do with socialism, but is simply a commandment from the Lord, a moral endeavor.

I guess maybe I should not doubt Obama’s intentions. He has been a religious man for most of his life. He attended the same church in Chicago for nearly 20 years. There he was taught by the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. One might remember him from such stirring sermons as, “God Bless America. No, no, no. God Damn America,” and “The US believes in white supremacy and black inferiority and believes it more than it believes in God.” Ah, such kind words. I cannot imagine why we are not coming together as a nation. In all seriousness, Obama may believe in God, but his version of social justice has nothing to do with Christ’s version. Christ taught that we should take care of the poor, to help them climb out of the depths of poverty. Just as with many aspects of our life, this voluntary act is used to exemplify the life and love of Jesus Christ. The key word, as is used in the scriptures, is voluntary. No force of any kind should ever be involved, or we lose our free-agency. We lose our freedom. This is important. In its most basic sense, social justice is taking from one and giving to another. To TAKE is to steal, it is a theft. From everything that Obama has said and everything said by those who surround him, his version of social justice is FORCED redistribution of wealth under the guise of charity. Essentially, the government will forcibly take wealth (be it land, possessions, or money) and spread it around as they see fit, to level the playing field. The Progressives are using the Christian faith in God to gain even more control. There is nothing moral about this endeavor.

Additionally, social justice, as the term is now used, is not what Christ taught. He believed that to take care of the poor meant that you help them help themselves. This comes with the responsibility of those receiving aid to take what they are given and work to improve their situation the best they can. This is understood in the parable of the talents. In this, Jesus tells the story of a master who gave each of his three servants a sum of money. The amounts were set according to each servant’s previously demonstrated capabilities. The man then left for a long time. When he returned, he asked each of these servants to report what he had done with the money. The first two servants revealed they had doubled his investment. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord,” was the master’s reply. The third servant then came trembling before his master. He had already heard what the others had reported and knew that he could not give a similar report. “I was afraid,” the servant said, “and went and hid thy talent in the earth.” The master was upset. “Thou wicked and slothful servant,” he said. Then he commanded, “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” The interpretation of this parable: Those who obtain other talents receive more talents in abundance, but those who do not obtain other talents shall lose even the talents they had initially. Government social justice simply TAKES from one and gives to another, to create a fair society. It does not take into account individual capabilities (as the parable did) and does not require the responsibility to improve one’s situation (to grow one’s talents). Under social justice, what is the incentive to work hard? What motivates one to improve themselves and their talents? Equality equals idleness, which is in direct conflict with Christian beliefs.

God’s way cannot be forced. We are given free-agency to choose for ourselves. The reason men and women came to this great land was to find freedom. Social justice is not freedom, but forced redistribution. The Progressives, just as socialist groups in the past, are using religious charity as a guise to push through their agenda. They do not believe in freedom, but in control. My friend believed I was shirking my Christian responsibility to the poor. He doesn’t know me, what I give, and the service I have provided. However, whether or not I take care of the poor should be of little concern to him or anyone else. That issue is between me and my maker. There is not and cannot be a perfect society where all receive equally. What we have is capitalism and capitalism fosters an environment where those with the will to succeed have a better chance at achieving their dreams. The key word is THE WILL. Motivation, incentive, work, productivity – those words do not exist in social justice.