Living The Worthy Life: Socialism, Social Justice, And The Second Coming Of Communism

What is Social Justice? 

The principles of social justice are an essential part of effective health promotion. There are four interrelated principles of social justice; equity, access, participation, and rights. 

What is Catholic Social Justice? 

In addition to being grounded in scripture, Catholic Social Justice is shaped by Catholic Social Teaching, the official instruction on social issues from the Pope or Catholic Bishops. In Gaudium et Spes (1965), the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World which emerged from the Second Vatican Council, we were called to address global poverty and inequality, saying it is Christians' responsibility to "scrutinize the signs of the times and interpret them in the light of the Gospel" (4). This instruction to face the present situation with courage in order to fight and overcome injustices emphasizes the enduring teachings of the Church throughout the ages. More recently, Pope Francis has breathed fresh life into these teachings by challenging the world to convert from a “throwaway culture” to an economy of inclusion. 

So Why Is Social Justice Important Today? 

Social justice assigns the rights and duties in the institutions of our society, which enables people to receive the basic benefits and burdens of cooperation. Social justice helps us work toward celebrating diversity in our communities and country. 

What Is Happening Today With The Youth, Socialism and Social Justice? 

In the first two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall, warnings against a new wave of socialism would have seemed utterly unnecessary. Yet since about a decade ago, anti-capitalism is on the rise again and the socialist dream finds new followers. ‘Social justice’ is the battle cry of the new socialists who call themselves ‘democratic’. Their call finds resonance with the so-called millennials. 

Recent surveys show that a majority of the generation who are currently between 19 and 29 years old prefer socialism to capitalism. This result is shocking because of the dimension of factual ignorance of these youngsters. Looking at the survey more closely, the poll reflects the contrast between an ideal picture of socialism compared to the perceived reality of capitalism. 

The young socialists believe state socialism is better than state capitalism. They fail to see that moving from state capitalism to state socialism is not the way of salvation as the declared socialist candidate of the Democratic Party claimed in his bid in the run for the presidency in 2016, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. 

The new socialist surge is not limited to the United States. In the United Kingdom, the leader of the Labour Party is a convinced socialist whose plans call for bringing large parts of the British industry under direct governmental control. (The recent utter defeat of the Labour Party in the 2019 election should give great hope to the people living in the US for the 2020 elections) 

The socialists claim they want equality and prosperity for all and one would achieve these goals by interventionism and the socialization of industry. But this assertion confounds the goal of socialism with the means. The Socialist leaders trick their followers into believing that the aim of socialism is equal to socialism as a method. 

Because of failing to distinguish between socialism as an objective and socialism as a means, many people get deceived. They suppose that to achieve the socialist goal of equality and prosperity for all, one must install socialism as an economic system. Such a belief ignores the historical evidence which shows that the practice of socialism leads to the opposite of the expected prosperity. Instead of a better life, systemic misery is the consequence. 

What Did Bishop Fulton Sheen Predict? 

Quickly it becomes apparent that Bishop Sheen saw what was happening to the world in his time and what would happen to the world during our time.  In his time, Communism was in Russia and we were fighting it.  Today, Communism is in the United States and we are embracing it.  Well, let us look at the overall thought Bishop Sheen said about Communism. Communism is the final logic of the dehumanization of man. He fought almost his entire life against Communism.  To see it being adopted and embraced by so many Americans would have been appalling to him. 

In his book, Justice, and Charity, Bishop Sheen wrote, “Our country must be built upon a justice and charity in which our individual rights and privileges are conditioned by the service of the common good.”  

Bishop Sheen clearly stood with the Founding Fathers and believed in individual rights that were given by the Creator.  God gave rights to the individual, not the State.  God created man in His image, not the State created man. This is the biggest and most serious flaw that is in our society today.  The open endorsement and belief in causes over the belief in God.  God is our cause and only cause.  Man creates causes but remember God created man.  This is what the far left socialists have forgotten. We Catholics believe in social justice but the difference is our social justice cause is led by our love and passion for Jesus Christ, not our love for the government.  We can not, we should not and we will not put ¨G¨ of God into government.   

To live a worthy life we must live for and love God.  We must worship God and his Son Jesus Christ.  We do not worship causes or governments.  By doing so all we have done is put man ahead of God.   We must remember the next time we hear people talk about big government and social justice is the answer to our problems.  There is only one answer- God.  Repent and change your life now.   

“Socialism increases in direct ratio and proportion with the surrender of personal responsibility to neighbor.”  Bishop Fulton Sheen