At the beginning of a new year here are a few of what I think are the top social justice issues we face. They are in no particular order.
Human Trafficking
Here is a link to the United States Department of Justice that gives a good overview of the problem of human trafficking.
Wealth Gap between Rich and Poor
Pope Benedict XVI used his New Year’s message to discuss the wealth gap between rich and poor across the world. Here is a link to an article about his speech.
Here is a link to an article about the wealth gap in the United States.
Included in this gap, which is growing greater and greater, would be issues like poverty, unemployment, affordable housing, livable wages, and hunger.
Immigration
In the Bible, God commands His followers to take care if the “foreigners among you” (Deut. 10:17-19) without differentiation between legal and illegal immigration.
Here is a link to a blog I wrote about immigration.
War
This one has really got me concerned. There are some things I have been thinking through about war that I am still trying to discern if it is a word from God about the future of our country, or my own fear about what I see happening.
Regardless, I believe we need to seriously look at the “just war” theories that have been studied for centuries and make sure we follow the rules of a just war.
Here is a link to some of my thoughts about “just war theory.”
Incarceration
The number of people incarcerated in the United States is astounding. The percentage of minorities who are incarcerated leads me to conclude something is desperately wrong with the system. Most of the incarcerations in our country are a result of our failed policies referred to as a “war on drugs.”
My thoughts are developing on this particular issue. One book I have been slowly working my way through is The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander. If you are interested in this issue, this book is a must read.
That is my list of the top social issues. What issues would you include and why?
I would love to hear from you.
Floods of Justice 