When “social justice” is a code phrase
Stu Burguiere schools Jim Wallis on good and bad social justice.
Read the whole thing. An excerpt:
Like everyone else in America, Glenn Beck thinks “social justice” —if its defined as charitable outreach to the poor—-is a good idea. He supports it, he believes in it, he does it.
So, what’s the problem? I mean, “social justice” seems like such an innocuous phrase, right? It paints a picture of fairness. I guess that’s why Father Charles Coughlin used it when naming his National Union for Social Justice and his publication Social Justice Weekly. Coughlin was an anti-Semitic religious broadcaster in the 1930s, and he used the banner of social justice to attack capitalism, warn of Jewish plots against “Christian civilization”, and to promote his adoration for Italian Fascist Benito Mussolini.
This is part of the information Glenn revealed in a special TV show about American extremism of the 20th century. In the context of promoting that special, he began talking about how the far left was once again using this terminology to politicize churches. The specific example he named was Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
He told his listeners that if they were in a church that preaches Jeremiah Wright-style social justice, they should leave–or at least get educated on what exactly that means. It took him all of eight seconds to clarify the type of church he was speaking of, but that was long enough for most in the media to end the transcript.
Suddenly, Glenn was accused of attacking the central tenants of the bible, because he supposedly believed that any church that wants to help the poor should be immediately evacuated. This absurd narrative is mainly the product of Rev. Jim Wallis.
To restate the obvious, some simply use the term “social justice” as a substitute for “outreach to the poor.” This is not the kind of “social justice” Glenn was talking about. The fact that this term has been utilized for purposes other than good Christian charity is well documented. One scholar explained it quite clearly: “it is true that term [has] been used by the right and the left for all kinds of ideological purposes that aren’t necessarily the purposes of Christ.” That scholar was Jim Wallis…
Commenter Socky sums up Walls/Wright-style “social justice:” “A code phrase for ‘leveraging white guilt to redistribute wealth.’” Erick Erickson weighs in here.
Speaking of radical reverends, you must watch Fr. Pfleger’s latest sermons from Easter Week. Thomas Peters has them all and writes:
From these videos, his abuses to the Mass, his heretical preaching, his public actions, his clear egomania, it’s clear he deserves to be disciplined (and removed from priestly ministry) by Cardinal George.
So why hasn’t this happened? Why is anyone scared of Fr. Pfleger or his supporters?
I can’t help but think the only reasons not to remove Fr. Pfleger are reasons dictated by convenience and political correctness, not fidelity to the teachings of Christ and His Church.
***
Last week: The Pfleger-ization of the Catholic Church
Previous:
S.F.’s housing mob and the death of property rights
“Social Justice” for grade-schoolers: The Howard Zinn Education Project
And the “media justice” corollary:
Obama’s FCC, liberal churches, and the “media justice” mob
The “media justice” mob strikes again
Connecting the “media justice” dots
See what others have said
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since I don’t subscribe to being politically correct or to using that other liberal term, diversity, I’ll simply say that pfleger is a disgusting piece of human waste, devoid of any value.
A code phrase for “leveraging white guilt to redistribute wealth.”
Or code for Government picks the winner.
Justice needs no adjective.
Charity through threats and intimidation.
(Turns pockets inside out) Where’s my social justice? I want it now!
Pastor Rick Warren also uses this term but in a reasonable way. Most Evangelicals preach and work actively for true social justice but do not advocate it with the business end of a government bayonet.
http://hindenblog1.blogspot.com/2010/03/burn-rev-jim-wallis-typical.html
Wallis has explicitly said that charity is too weak a reed on which to rely for “social justice”. He’s all in for forcing you and me to do “good”.
Like other collectivists, they can count on a fight from me.
I was watching the night Glenn was talking about this on his Fox show. He went into detail to say what he was talking about. Our home loves Glenn and will always watch him. He gives American’s news on how our Republic is being transformed and not to the good.
Lots of people do not like Glenn. They think he is a nut, cries all the time, ect. He must be doing something right, the msm and left goes after him as they do Rush and all other conservatives.
L
Interesting headline. When is it not code for wealth and power redistribution? I’ve never heard it used any other way.
“Social justice” can best be served through a good solid all around education that starts at childhood and never stops.
If the opportunity to learn is presented and taken, then all have the equal footing to become successful. However, if the opportunity is not taken then you only have yourself to blame for not doing anything with your life – not society.
Too many people blame factors other than themself for not succeeding. The “pursuit of happiness” is just that – a pursuit. You have to chase it, it won’t always come to you.
When has “social justice” NOT been a code phrase?
It’s meant “government-approved theft” since the left coined it.
Glenn Beck is much aware and warns of the use of the term Social Justice. Those who equate it with Christian charity are liars, fools or both.
Here are some facts:
Biden charitable contributions as reported in his income tax return:
approx. 1%
Obama charitable contributions as reported in his income tax return:
approx. 5% (up considerable since he knows people are watching)
Glenn Beck pays a tithe to his church of not less than 10%. Members of his church commonly also volunteer time, money, and labor to the church welfare system. He MAY (likely does) give to charity over and above that.
There is a VAST difference be good doers and DO-GOODERS. The former do what they do outside the limelight. The later thump their chests and pick your pocket.
Sadly, “Justice” and “Fairness” mean different things to different people.
The majority of commenters here would probably agree that things are “just” and “fair” when there is a level playing field (equality of opportunity) and the rules/laws are applied equally (“rule of law” / “equal justice under the law”).
The majority of collectivists would probably say that things are “just” and “fair” when every demographic group has similar socio-economic standing(equality of results) and the rules/laws must be manipulated in order to force a redistribution of wealth and a preference in hiring those of a lower socio-economic standing (affirmative action).
Global communism has almost reached their goal. Taking down the last bastion of freedom.
Maybe ONE of the 535 elected and appointed officials who swore an oath to defend the Constitution should have done so. Instead of swearing in a man who told us he was ineligible by telling us his father was a foreign national.
Ignore the Constitution and forfeit it.
***
A conservative and a liberal were walking down a street in a poor part of town. A sick destitute bum was sitting on the sidewalk asking for help.
***
“Poor man!” said the conservative–and he took out $5 and gave it to the man and told him to get something to eat.
***
The liberal said, “That was a very compassionate act!”. Then he took away the conservative’s wallet, took out another $5, and gave it to the bum.
***
Many conservatives and good people use their own money to help others. Many liberals only use Other People’s Money to help those in need–not their own money. This is also known as theft–it’s not charity.
***
John Bibb
***
Government “charity” cannot be Christian charity.
Complete religion is not the realm of governments, it’s an individual mandate.
“Each man”, not government.
“what he has decided”, not what government has decided.
“not … under compulsion”. Taxes are entirely collected via compulsion.
In chapter 5 of How Christianity Changed the World, Alvin Schmidt gives a thorough argument about why government welfare is actually contrary to Christian charity on nearly every level.
I believe in this context “justice” should be defined as “the administering of deserved punishment or reward”.
Punish those who have worked hard to be where they are and reward those who have not. This is neither fair or just, but nothing can be fair, and just is decided by law. By pushing a Social Justice agenda the left is forcing the laws to be changed to give more those who cannot or will not work for what they need.
It is all about money and punishing a group for some perceived wrong that they did not commit. That is neither fair or just, unless you are Rev. Wright.
As far as Pfleger goes, again, it is all about the money. He fills the church with people who give money. Many of the Catholic church’s decisions in the US are about how to bring in more money. Look at some really poor ountries that are Catholic, it’s a whole different church.
Social justice is stealing from producers to give to slackers. It can’t guarantee that every effort gets the same result. It can’t guarantee success. The gov can’t run anything, so it jolly well can’t guarantee anything through social justice except to transform the country into a total slum. The American public won’t stand for that goal.
I hear it at church al the time. Some people know exactly what they are saying, and some dont. At least at church, no one is forcibly reaching into my wallet to pretend to make it happen.
But that’s NOT the definition of the term. It’s not even logical to define it that way. Inherent in the notion of “justice” is that it’s something someone is entitled to. The whole idea behind charity is that you freely give to someone who isn’t entitled to it, because you simply want to help him out. You can’t be entitled to a gift, or it’s not a gift, by definition. Instead, it’s a debt payment.
So the two concepts are irreconcilably opposed to each other. Conservatives ought to know better than to conflate the two in any way.
Hence, there’s no such thing as “good” or “bad” social justice. Either you believe that there’s such a thing as “social justice” (i.e., you’re a liberal), or you don’t.
RTater said it best. “Social” justice is a pipe dream. People are all different so they can not be equal except in opportunity. Maybe our founders were on to something. Losers are always crying about justice, winners are too busy to listen.
It starts off a little strange, but Zo quickly gets into some really good stuff.
Communist Goal #27:
Heard this story on local news today…
Two underperforming Omaha schools which are lagging the others in their district in attendance, will open in August with magnet programs aimed at attracting students from across the metropolitan area.
“Omaha Northwest High School will focus on pre-law, government and international diplomacy. Nathan Hale Middle School will focus on leadership and social justice.“
There’s that term again!
Beck’s show is probably one of the most boring shows on cable … But, that’s why I like it!!!
Pay attention to what Beck says. Then use that to do some of your own research.
The truth will indeed set you free!! It scares the left and their running dogs in the media, absolutely to death … and that’s what we all want!
Who is “the Divine Author of our blessed Religion”?
Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word…
George Washington himself counseled us that without an humble imitation of Jesus Christ, we can never be a happy Nation.
ITTRP – #33 – Thank you for the most excellent post!
Here are words I have STRICKEN from my vocabulary as they are nothing but liberalspeak:
Diversity
Moderate
Bipartisan
Social Justice
For the children
Transparency
Socio-economic equality
Living constitution
Necessary entitlements
FirstSkirt @ #36: you missed one – “Tolerance”.
Pamela Geller: