Category: Justice

The Common Good

Golden RuleSeeking the common good is a universal concept found in many world religions and in human culture throughout history. The alternative to the common good is selfishness and looking after “number one”. In ancient history it would have been expressed as what is good for the tribe as opposed to what is good for the individual. In more recent times seeking the common good might apply to our local community or to our country. With the world becoming a smaller place the common good can now apply to the whole of humanity.

So what do we mean by the common good, and how does it relate to the biblical command to love our neighbour as ourselves, and to what is called “the golden rule” . This article explores what is meant in further detail.

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How ordinary people change the world

Crowd of peopleIn these days when ‘celebrities’ are revered it is tempting to think that it is only the big names like William Wilberforce, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi who have made any difference to our lives today. But these men could have done NOTHING without many thousands of ordinary people who shared their dreams.

In this article we will see from recent history how people like you and me can make a real difference. Continue reading “How ordinary people change the world”

Tell me what you think about Capitalism

capitalismLast week I wrote about Capitalism and outlined some of its plus points and negative aspects. Is it the best thing since sliced bead? Does it need controlling and is it harmful to the world’s poorest people?

I invite you to take part in a simple anonymous poll to express what you think!

Continue reading “Tell me what you think about Capitalism”

Capitalism – Curse or Blessing

capitalismKarl Marx obviously thought capitalism was a curse and considered that wealth should be controlled by the state for the benefit of all. But in an imperfect world communism failed to deliver and has virtually ceased to exist. Communism and capitalism are based on envy and greed respectively.  In this article we will look at the plus side, and the negative side, of capitalism and ask the question, “is there a better way”?

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Historical Inequality and the Future

A better world
Looking forward to a better world

In the United Kingdom we have been suffering years of recession. But the richest amongst us have suffered no loss of life-style. In fact the top 100 chief executives were paid £425 million in 2012,  up by £45 million, or 10%, from 2011. (London Evening Standard 10th June 2013)

At the same time, state benefits are being cut, millions of workers subsist on the minimum wage or ‘zero hours contracts’, many people have seen no increase in wages for years, and inflation eats into the spending power of those at the bottom of the income divide. The wealth gap between rich and poor is increasing in the United Kingdom, and in fact all over the world.

Throughout history there has always been a measure of inequality – sometimes worse than at other times. Much of what follows is written from a U.K. perspective, but other readers will find parallels in their own history and development.

Hunter-Gatherers in the Stone Age

At this stage of human development, inequality would probably be at its lowest, though a skilled hunter would obviously bring more meat home for his family. But for much hunting, cooperation would have been needed, increasing the fairness of society. Hopefully the disabled and sick would be cared for. Even then a more successful tribe might seek to plunder from a weaker tribe. But people living then had a hard life, and were totally susceptible to disease, causing low life expectancy.

A Feudal or Peasant System

In medieval England, the vast majority of people  were serfs, or virtually slaves to the Lord of the Manor.  Continue reading “Historical Inequality and the Future”

A fairer distribution of wealth

inequality of Wealth DistibutionThere can be no doubt that, in this world, there are gross injustices in the way wealth is distributed.  There is a factor of millions between the billionaire living in California and the subsistence farmer in Africa trying to support her family on a dollar a day.  In this article I am presenting the case for a world in which there is a fairer distribution of wealth both domestically and internationally.

Absolute income or wealth equality may not be possible to achieve and is probably not desirable. But I am concerned that in most countries around the world, the gap between rich and poor is getting wider, and no-one knows when it will stop. Ultimately, the wealth of the whole world could be in the hands of a single person! Continue reading “A fairer distribution of wealth”

Tolerance and understanding

The Best of Chris Rea
The Best of Chris Rea (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I was involved in local politics, people of other political parties were automatically regarded as misguided, to be pitied, despised or just plain stupid. Arrogance was common and I had to struggle not to be taken up by the prevailing attitudes and struggle to avoid that way of thinking. The fact is, that I have met some lovely people, whose political views may be offensive at times, but who really care about the community.

Learning tolerance is a process for me. It does not mean that I need to compromise my own views, but I must be ready to see other people’s point of view even if I can’t agree with them.

What is true of politics is also true of different belief systems concerning God. I was brought up to believe that other religions were evil, and people who do not believe in God at all were stupid. I now try to be more tolerant and more understanding of other people. Continue reading “Tolerance and understanding”

Mahatma Gandhi – one of my Heroes

Mahatma GandhiGandhi is one of my heroes. I use the word “heroes” with caution. No one is perfect and we can be tempted to idolise. But there can be no doubt that Mahatma Gandhi was a remarkable man. People have written books about him, many films have been made about him including the well-known film directed by Richard Attenborough.

I will not attempt to retell the story but wish to explain why he is one of my heroes and to see what we can learn from him. Continue reading “Mahatma Gandhi – one of my Heroes”