Glenn Beck Says to Run: The Necessity of Social Justice

Now Glenn Beck has decided that any church using the code phrases "Social Justice" or "Economic Justice" should be aware their church is tied into either Nazism or Stalinism, and should run. Or, if their priest is mentioning these dreaded phrases, narc on him to the Bishop.

What Beck is seemingly not aware of (or perhaps conveniently ignoring) is that the Church has a long history of supporting social justice. In spite of the seemingly right-leaning teachings of the church on some social matters, it has a long history of supporting social and economic equality, including the redistribution of wealth. The Church as been pro-union and for living wages throughout the 20th century. So, Mr. Beck, kindly stick your nose out of our churches and go back to turning the various Protestant denominations into rich country clubs.

Of course, this highlights a current problem with the current perception of Church teachings. Because of the constant emphasis of anti-abortion and anti-contraception teachings by church heiarchy, many believe the church is far Right in it's teachings. However, promoting social and economic justice is just as important. Unfortunately, many Church leaders have let themselves be clouded by the anti-abortion emphasis. As a result, you are seeing the Church support politicians that agree with its anti-abortion dogma, but who are adamantly opposed to it's socially progressive teachings.

We've heard the recent news reports about a Bishop in Rhode Island asking Patrick Kennedy not to take communion in his diocese because of his pro-choice stance. In the previous elections we heard similar statements directed towards Senator John Kerry. And yet, have we heard any Bishop make similar statements regarding candidates against health care, the right of workers to unionize, fair employment practices, immigration, etc.? No, we haven't, and this shows a fundamental problem in the Church today. It has let one single issue wag the dog, so that the Church as fallen into supporting people that spit on the rest of its teachings.

Currently, the Church has lost its credibility as a protector of human rights because of this imbalance. It needs to wake up and realize it can't be a one-issue supporter. As long as the Church only promotes picketing outside of Planned Parenthood without picketing outside of greedy corporations that abuse their workers and politicians who are intent on removing rights from consumers, workers, and immigrants, then the Church will continue down the road towards a morally corrupt entity.