When it comes to human relationships, love, compassion and justice must go hand in hand. In talking about social justice I am not talking about justice as retribution or punishment but as justice in the way we treat our fellow-man. When people are wronged, they may cry out for justice to be done, and often won’t be satisfied unless the wrongdoer is punished for their crimes against them. Social Justice demands that we correct the unfairness of society but does not demand retribution or punishment.
- 20,000 innocent children who die every day of preventable diseases cry out for justice.
- 1 billion people living in extreme poverty cry out for a fairer world system.
- Poor workers who satisfy western demand for things like coffee, chocolate, vegetables etc. cry out for a reasonable percentage of the final price.
- Millions, working as virtual slaves in industry cry out for freedom from exploitation.
- A million plus woman trapped in the sex industry cry out for respect and liberty.
- An estimated 127 million children working in conditions which are harmful to their health and welfare cry out for a decent start in life.
- Over 100 million children between 5 and 11, who receive no education at al,l cry out for at least a primary education so that they are not condemned to produce another desperately poor generation.
- 400 million children between 12 and 17 who do not attend secondary school cry out for the opportunities that education would bring.
Compassion and Justice 