Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Just a few thoughts...

One thing I love about St. Stephens' is the stress we place on economic justice. I wouldn't call it "liberation theology" or anything like that. I wouldn't even describe it as inherently political (although BREAD does engage in political activity). Pursuing economic justice is simply part of the church's mission. People shouldn't have to be outcasted by society simply for being poor, nor should people suffer the greed of others.

So, while I am studying the financial crisis and writing about it and think it is a huge deal, I have a few sobering thoughts. 20 percent of American children were impovershed before this crisis, and once the crisis is resolved, I'm sure 20 percent of American children will still be impovershed. Homeowners may regain their homes, but many people who have never had homes will still be without homes. Millions of Americans still won't have access to health care.

C'est la vie, perhaps. It's easy to stammer on economic fairness during a real crisis - and this is a real crisis - but we as Christians have a responsibility to speak up about injustice at all times. Especially when nobody else will.