You’re far too rational for this thread. Try beating your chest and denouncing the pope as a Marxist. You’ll fit in just fine with that red-meat sort of camouflage. While you’re at it, be sure to not actually read the document (like others in this thread) and to assume you know exactly what the pope means. Oh, and one more thing, forget about the whole idea of charity and responsibility for your fellow man. You know, those outmoded Christian ideas that just won’t fit into any thread like this. I’m just saying. . .
Nice post. Here is a link to a cartoon that would go nicely with it (Pope Francis ordering pizza without anchovies)—unfortunately I am not savvy at graphics, or I would post it myself.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/13_10_03_cartoon.png
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205. I ask God to give us more politicians capable of sincere and effective dialogue aimed at healing the deepest roots – and not simply the appearances – of the evils in our world! Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good.[174] We need to be convinced that charity “is the principle not only of micro-relationships (with friends, with family members or within small groups) but also of macro-relationships (social, economic and political ones)".[175]
I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor! It is vital that government leaders and financial leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare. Why not turn to God and ask him to inspire their plans? I am firmly convinced that openness to the transcendent can bring about a new political and economic mindset which would help to break down the wall of separation between the economy and the common good of society."
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It comes as a shock to so many to discover that economic systems do not save and that adherence to one does not substitute for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pursuit of wealth that results in the exploitation of another human being is a sin. Refusing to share (voluntarily) what you can (not claiming you must share all you have) to relieve the suffering of another is a sin. To rob the worker of his labor by refusing to pay its worth is a sin. To believe being poor means a person is not worthy of the basic needs of life is a sin.
To implement polices that cause people go into staggering debt in order to benefit the few is unjust. To implement policies that keep people bogged down in poverty is unjust. To implement policies that keep people from obtaining self sufficiency and economic security is a sin. To implement policies which create To implement policies which reward greed and manipulation and coveting is a sin.
To forget that there is supposed to be virtue and dignity in the work we do; that we are to be more than just part of a machine producing endless goods for endless consumption is to lose sight of what it means to be human.
Human beings when they try to solve these problems through government action have a very bad history. That is because although they may have the best of motives what they care about is advancing their version of utopia and honestly give little thought to the persons who they supposedly care so much about. That is how they can believe women’s rights can be best served by unfettered access to abortion. It is how they can believe access to health care can be best served by a mess like the ACA.
Christians are supposed to care first and foremost about the person. They are to see in the face of that person the truth of the Incarnation. That is what is to drive all our encounters with one another. That Christ became man and died for our sins. Our charity must arise out of love of Jesus. Either working alone or with one another. The State can never take the place of such care for on another.
