ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Some have asked what my vision, as a Christian is, for a just society. So, for what it is worth, here it is:
Well for one, Acts 2 described an egalitarian society, in the early Church, where resources were shared equally to each according to their needs, from each according to their ability. Secondly, both in Scripture and in early church history, as well as the Jubilee and Mosaic Law, preferential option of the poor is taught. The current Pope has spoke of this, as has Liberation Theology.
Ron Sider, in his book “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” and Shane Claiborne in his book “Jesus For President,” spoke of the thousands of scriptures that speak of Social Justice, what Dr King spoke of as the “Beloved Community,” hence the connection between Community, Communion, and Communism.
We should create communities of Love, Cooperation, sharing of resources, respect of all people without prejudice or judgment, nonviolence, and peace making. Not just spiritual, but social, ecological, and political transformation.
We need to create this locally through sustainable, just, local economies. Then move to regional, National, and then Global economies. We must give say so to all groups of people via self-determination. And, we must end the nation state, empire building societies that thrive on conflict and war and become egalitarian, grassroots from the bottom up, governed societies that seek the Common Good where everyone’s needs, not “Greed’s” are met.
This is what we should strive for as Christians, as humans, knowing that Christ will finish this process when he comes back.
