Maybe its the longer warmer days that have me in more amicable spirits, but I couldn’t find a spark of anger when I heard Glenn Beck’s latest protest, encouraging people to leave churches that promote social justice — which all mainline churches do.
You know, Peter, I want to thank Glenn Beck more than scourge him. Maybe I’m banking too heavily on people’s ability to think rationally, but these are the comments for me that write him out. I can’t muster the anger to engage something so incredibly nonsensical. I can, however, see this as an opportunity to draw people’s attention to the term social justice, what it means and how it has become ideologically amorphous to the point that–as you so suitably put it–Glenn beck can throw sewage at it.
The term, though it has many manifestations in multiple socio-political arenas, essential entails an effort to correct those structures that allow for systemic and systematic poverty. Nothing, I would argue, seems more appropriate to the teachings of Jesus. Now, however, the term has become so common place that people confuse it for the likes of charity.
Currently President Obama, in full campaign form that has been absent for far too long, is urging the American people to support healthcare reform. Glenn Beck originally promised he would leave America if it passed. We can only hope, but as my grandfather used to say, “you can hope in one hand and…” I think you know the rest.
What it boils down to for me is classic fear–particularly the fear that accompanies change. For many, America has been a pretty secure place and a term like social justice remains anathema, as does health care reform. As long as I can pay the increasing premiums, why should I care about changing it? The end result is that a country banking on its prosperity will fight for an adulterated form of utilitarian security that neglects the less fortunate. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
Glenn Beck lives in a world of security, the lose of which makes his blonde hair stand on end. Social Justice endeavors on the side of liberty and equity. May we continue to fight that battle and graciously turn the other cheek to those that operate otherwise.
Cobra Kai were fond of saying, “SWEEP THE LEG!” We use the word “fight” simply to mean to be involved in a struggle. We use it lightly, like, she’s fighting for a place in line, or I’m fighting to open this mayonnaise jar. But we all know that when we use fighting in those contexts we are being hyperbolic.
