" 'Thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality"

Here's a surprising turn of events:  I am writing today about the economy, and a bit about politics.

BBC news the other day reported that Pope Francis is taking a strong stance against "trickle-down" economic theory.  He feels that such economic theories support a system that excludes those who have nothing.  Here is a section from his recent apostolic exhortations:

"Just as the commandment 'thou shalt not kill' sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality.  Such an economy kills.  How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?  This is a case of exclusion.  Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving?  This is a case of inequality.  [...]  The excluded are not the 'exploited' but the outcast, the 'leftovers'."  (From item 53 of the exhortation)

I am reminded by his last statement of the moment in Suzanne Collins's story Catching Fire when Katniss and Peeta are at a party thrown by the Capital and find out that people there throw up what they've eaten just so they can eat more—while the marginalized are starving in the rest of the country.

Allow me to continue quoting Pope Francis:

"In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world.  This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system.  Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting."  (From item 54).

While I don't know enough about economics to propose a well-thought-out alternative economic system, I completely agree with Pope Francis that something has got to change.

This is a bold move, as are many moves by Pope Francis.  He is not afraid to speak his mind about current issues—and he is not mincing his words!  A few weeks ago, I saw a photo of him supporting some anti-fracking activists.

From what I understand, Pope Francis is generally liked by many people—including some atheists.  (I add a caveat that I know quite a few Protestants that aren't crazy about some of his more radical statements.)  People seem to like it when he comes right out and says something "radical", like that atheists could still go to heaven, or when he shows compassion to people most others would ignore, or when he reaches out to teenagers and takes a selfie with them.  I'm a huge fan of Pope Francis, because he is providing a great example of living his faith and doing his best to communicate God's great love for the world.  Even if he wasn't being received well, I think he'd still act the way he's acting.  He is getting some pushback even now, and that isn't stopping him from showing the world how to be a witness to Christ.  It seems to me that he is really letting the Holy Spirit guide his actions and his words.

Many atheists I speak with believe that it is the job of the Church to sit by and provide solace for those who need it—not to become involved in social justice issues.  Pope Francis's current counterexample is this situation—a messed up economy that is causing the marginalization of many people loved by God but ignored by the world.  

My counterexample:  South Africa during apartheid.  Apartheid was largely invented by a group of white Dutch Reform Protestants who believed that what they did was right (or at least claimed to).  Because of this policy, countless individuals died at the hands of their totalitarian government and exclusive economic and legal actions.  Other denominations (including Catholics) for a while stood by and did little more than provide service to the poor and solace for those who needed it.  But the people cried out for more.  They cried out for their churches to become involved in the political struggle.  It was wrong, they said, for religious leaders to stand aside and watch people be murdered, marginalized, and enslaved.  And I agree.  It is wrong for the Church, or for any people (religious or not), to sit by and watch without even speaking out when great injustice is done.  Even if their views are labeled as "dangerous".  It was considered "dangerous" to speak out against apartheid in South Africa.  In fact, it was considered so dangerous that many were tortured and killed for doing so.

The second Vatican counsel directly addressed the apartheid issue, urging Catholics to combat justice and oppression.  By the 1980s, churches were increasing their involvement in political issues surrounding apartheid.  Religious leaders were criticized for not becoming involved in politics to stand up for those who needed defending—and because of the cries of the people, those churches took a stand.

In fact, it is an issue of religious freedom to be able to speak out on political issues.  If a Christian, or a Muslim, or a Jew, or a Buddhist, etc. is allowed to worship in his own private space, but is then forced to conform to mainstream opinion (or at least not speak out against it) regarding serious moral issues, that is not religious freedom.  If he is allowed to pray but not act, not allowed to do what he thinks is right in a secular situation just because his moral judgement is influenced by his religion—that is also not religious freedom.  It is, in fact, demanding that he be untrue to himself.  Sometimes I feel that in today's society, the religious are asked to be silent merely because they are religious.  At least, that's often how I feel on the East Coast.  (Texas is a little different, at least in my experience, and may even have the opposite problem sometimes, which is also not good!  Silencing the minorities has never worked well in the past and I don't think it's working well today either.)  It is the moral responsibility of any person, theist or not, to speak out against oppression and stand up for those who are marginalized or hurt.  

If you want to read the rest of what Pope Francis said in his apostolic exhortation address thingy, here is a link to it.  I haven't read the whole thing yet, but everything I've read so far has been to the point, eloquent, and awesome!  He writes a lot about evangelization and how to share the Word of God with the world.

Apostolic Exhortation, given on November 24, 2013

Basically, go Pope Francis!  What a witness!