Just War?

I strongly disagree with the right to carry armed weapons.  The sole purpose of a gun is to kill.  Some may say it's for "protection" but I don't believe them.  The WMD distribution and use has gone out of control. Counties in civil war such as Sudan and Darfur and constantly in a war over power.  The use WMD to combat their opponents.  The church stands by the Just War Theory.  But I could not find anything more hypocritical than the Jus ad Bellum.  So it's okay for the church to go to war if it's for a JUST cause.  What constitutes a "Just" cause? Jesus taught us to forgive and turn the other cheek.  Not make a list of justifying war. Jesus was a pacifist.  Sure, not all politicians will agree that we should turn the other cheek, but the church should certainly stand by their teachings. 
Nonviolent resolution is the solution.  Look at the African American Civil Rights protest in the 1960s. They stressed nonviolent resolution. Even though the white police men hosed them down, beat them, and even assassinated their beloved MLK, the African Americans never instigated a war. The Civil Rights movement was more like a war than anything.  They were lynched, beaten, enslaved, and discriminated against in every possible way.  Why can't the church learn from the past? Why is the option to go to war still an issue.  While the teachings of the church are pure, it is corrupt. 
We should stress the Culture of Life.  People in war should not take life lightly.  After all, your life is a gift from God.  Why can't we be thankful for the life we have and not focus of taking the life of another. The church should be opposed to war more than any being on this earth. 
I can make a difference by starting small.  I am completely against war.  I want to live out the Culture of Life in my own life.  By starting small, like in my own school, I can make a difference. Whether it may be protesting the war or challenging the Just War Theory, I want to make an active difference in the world. 

Silence begets violence?

I think the reason why the Connecticut shooting called so much attention is because of how innocent the young victims are.  It is always so heartbreaking to see such young and innocent children caught in the middle of hate an violence.  The shooters obviously had some psychological problems.  But he did not have to bring children into his hate.
As a society, we should give up the right to bear arms.  Gun control was a huge debate with this particular incident. This past October, my brother's best friend killed himself with a gun.  After this year, my whole perspective on gun control has changed.  When the Founding Fathers added the Bill of Rights, they were speaking from their time.  In 1777, it was normal to have a weapon in your home for protection from animals.  It is almost 2013.  The only use of guns is to kill people.  And most of the time, innocent victims are the result.
CST compels us to pray for the victims and the shooter.  As much as we do not like to see it, the shooter has dignity as well.  Every human being on this planet is a part of God.  Everyone has dignity.  It does not justify this heinous crime; however, we are called to forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the ultimate and only path toward healing.  We must forgive.  Jesus taught that we must forgive I'm order to be at peace.  I believe non of us will ever forget the crime that has occurred in Connecticut. However, we must be forgiving people.  It may take me weeks, months, years and even decades for me to forgive him. But at least I am trying to find peace with the shooter.

Factory Fire

When I read the article on the fire in Bangladesh, I was appalled.  The injustice that subconsciously occurs in the United States is absurd.  All we want is the "best deal" and "lowest price" when in reality, the workers are payed little to none for our "great deal".  The fire spread because the proper fire equipment did not work and the people were told not to do anything about it.  Seriously, the building is on fire and you want me to finish making this dress? The workers are treated like caged animals and are payed just enough to eat a meal maybe two.
I cannot imagine working for a dollar a day.  These people deserve more as human beings. They all have dignity. The have the right as a human being to be treated fairly.  It is sad to see that some companies and countries disagree.  The injustice that occurs in the world saddens me every time I hear of it; praying is the only thing I can do right now.  Hopefully, in the near future, I would like to be actively working towards stoping this injustice.

Dorothy Day: Saint?

I think saints should be determined by their good deeds they did on earth.  The essential element a person needs to become a saint should be their love for christ. I they did enough good deeds and I mean dedicating your life to the mission of christ, they I believe they should be a saint.  Dorothy Day was a normal human being. She had lovers and a spunky(yes, I just used the word spunky) attitude.  She lived live half empty in the beginning and then found her call.  Her abortion was really the catalyst toward her love of justice and charity.  The Archbishop of NY surprisingly supports her canonization.  He is a conservative bishop and Dorothy Day was far from being conservative. But she truly dedicated her life to service and that is what makes her special.  When someone is a saint, everyone knows it.  That is why I am not surprised by the support the Archbishop is showing. Being a catholic saint is much more than being a good person, it means dedicating your life to the mission and love of Christ.

Circle of Protection

In Obama's video, he opened that the obligation to help thy neighbor is a moral issue.  As a catholic, he believes that his religion has helped him be a better person and president.  His policy on creating a true circle of protection is his economic plan for the future.  He is asking the blessed wealthy to give just a little more so that people who are sick and poor can receive better health care.  It is morally and politically wrong to ask the already struggling citizens to give what they don't have.  By the people helping and healing each other, Obama believes the true circle of protection will be complete.

In Romney's video, he started off by stating the statistics of the poverty level in the U.S.  One in six are starving... this is a powerful and scary fact.  Romney also went along by saying that in order to help the poor and homeless, the economy needs to be restored first.  That way more jobs are created and so on and so forth.  He also said that he would aid the faith based organizations to help end poverty in the U.S.  He stands by his 5 step plan (which he did not explain) to help stimulate the economy. He ended with "...those who need our help will remain in the circle of protection".

I agree with Obama's plan to help those in aid.  He talked more about how this is a moral issue and it was very relatable to the church.  He said that he would not allow the needy to be burdened by heavy bills and taxes.  He wants to complete the circle of protection by having everybody help out.

Romney's plan seemed a little too political for me.  While the church sees poverty as a moral issue, Romney plans to treat as a political and economic issue.  He stated that his 5 step plan would create more jobs by the end of his first term.  Some people are too sick to work or under qualified to work.  Why not help end poverty before stimulating the economy? Why burden the sick and poor by aiding the rich is cutting charity taxes for the rich? While I believe Romney is a brilliant politician, I believe he needs to check his moral compass.

Beyond the Swoosh

After watching the video about how Nike factory workers are treated, my whole perspective on company changed.  I knew about the workers but I never saw where they lived and how little they are payed.  When Jim and Leslie visited the factory for a summer, the felt like they couldn't live anymore.  They came from decent homes with access to food.  While the children who grew up in the factories never experienced a "food baby" or going out to dinner with family.
The biggest impact the video had for me was when the C.E.O of Nike wouldn't even take 5 minutes to talk about the injustices in his factories.  He has the authority to raise their wages so the workers can eat but instead he ate lunch with his friend... how convenient.  I angers me that powerful athletes who are sponsored by Nike can live with themselves.  They have the influence and power to change the face of the injustices in the factories.  But they would rather ignore the fact that villages are starving so they can buy $50,000 cars and buy designer hand bags.
It is possible to save this injustice.  If enough people protest we can help these people.  The church tells save the hungry.  And by refusing to purchase Nike products, we can make a difference.

Church and Scripture

Out text book focuses more on the teachings and lessons of the church.  But when it comes to "social justice" I had to look for the words.  Having gone to a catholic grade school and now high school, I have heard almost about every aspect of the church.  I have never heard of Catholic Social Teaching though.  I understand that the church is trying to solve the social injustices of the world but I want them to make it more public.  Of course we hear about the Sisters and Fathers who are doing wonderful works for social justice but the Church is supposed to be "One".  How can we be one if we are doing out acts of justice individually?  The teachings of the church are important but to solve the injustices of the world, we must act as one.