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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
December 2002 |
Letter spotlight:
Are these really the best ways to combat social injustice?
By Brad Foster
For those who are not already aware, slavery still exists in the world today, primarily in parts of the Muslim world. Sadly, the efforts of all good peoples everywhere have failed to eradicate this most ancient institution. As Christians, how should we respond to such things today? I am not really certain, but I really believe we must be very careful to not do more damage by the ways in which we respond.
In a recent issue of Interpreter magazine, I noticed an article in praise of a group of Christians who had purchased a group of people from an African nation who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery. It was their intent to free them. Though this was certainly fortunate for those involved, is this really the best way to combat human bondage?
If benevolent do-gooders habitually purchase slaves, even with the objective of freeing them, is this not likely to stimulate a demand for human chattel? Slavery has existed in virtually every culture at some point in time..
In the 19th century, some Christian societies also purchased slaves, with the intent of freeing or "re-colonizing" them. Unfortunately, then as now, the result was an increase in "demand," which resulted in an increased "supply" -- and keep in mind we are talking about humans. Do I oppose all efforts to purchase the freedom of slaves? Absolutely not, but I do suggest we be extremely circumspect about engaging in this practice. Acts of social justice like these may well be misguided and have the opposite effect.
On occasion, I really wonder about some of the causes with which we Methodists become involved. In recent years, "Living Wage" legislation has been supported or proposed by United Methodists. While laudable in intent, I am very skeptical of the consequences. Raising the income of our lowest-paid workers may not necessarily raise their living standard, because the increased costs of labor would proportionally drive up the cost of goods and services. The poorest of the working poor would still find prosperity is still just out of reach. Would it not be better to somehow encourage or equip them to better themselves in ways that would advance their socioeconomic status?
Or what of the young woman who toils in a sweatshop somewhere overseas? Boycotts of the offending companies may indeed close such places. But is that a good thing if the young woman is left with no job at all?
I would like to see Christians take a sharply rational and intentional approach to all social justice issues. Rather than reshaping social and political conditions with the hope of changing the Human Condition, would it not be better to reshape human hearts and minds with the Gospel? If that were to happen, these problems I have just described might well cease to be.
Last updated on 01/14/2004Bradley Foster is a member of Abundant Harvest UMC, Indianapolis