Liberation Theology: Bringing the Church and Religion Together

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          During Professor Stark's lecture on Monday, there was something that really caught my attention, and it was the concept of Liberation Theology. Professor Stark defined it as "using religion to empower people to change the world" (my notes), which I think is an interesting concept. I further researched it, and the definition further expanded. Liberation Theology calls for the "true" followers of Jesus to work towards a just and fair society by bringing about social and political change. It is actually a combination of Christian theology and Marxist beliefs that strives to relieve political and social oppression from the oppressed of society.
          The reason that this caught my attention so much was that, to me, it finally seemed like the Catholic Church was acting in how I view it should. Throughout history the Catholic Church has been a business, seemingly only interested in their own gain. They even functioned as the banks of society at one point. They practiced a lot of power in society and owned massive amounts of land. This is something that had consistently frustrated and perplexed me - the Church seemed to be working against its beliefs. This is routinely how the Catholic Church has been, but Liberation Theology seems like a significant step towards representing how I view the values of the Catholicism - caring and helping for other people, giving, and loving.
          I had a conversation with my dad about this over break - how there is a difference between Catholicism and the Catholic Church as an institution. The Church itself has always been a business and probably always will be in some way shape or form - they've been doing something right all these years, why change? But, when I think about Catholicism, I think about the people of the Church; those that work for their society and other people, and love everybody. Learning about Liberation Theology seemed to bring the Catholic Church and Catholicism closer together, because perhaps the Catholic Church would work more for the poor and oppressed people than for themselves, just as its followers do. I believe that this Liberation Theology brought Catholicism closer to how it is currently.

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 14, 2018 at 3:43 PM

    I've been thinking about this a lot in my life so I think it's awesome that you posted about it! I don't know very much about the Catholic Church but I can speak to my knowledge of the people in the churches I've encountered. Liberation Theology is truly biblical because my knowledge of the Bible is pretty thorough due to my upbringing. Jesus tells people that if they really want to follow Him they have to be advocates for the oppressed, imprisoned, marginalized, mistreated, and impoverished. I think that a lot of people are turned off to religion and Christianity because of the loudest Christians that aren't representing the whole nor what is actually taught. I am so disgusted when I see Christians that say that God hates a group of people or things like that because we're taught in the words of the Bible to love and show God's love through the way we live our lives. I get more fired up about this because it's my goal to live this out in my life and speak up for the oppressed and marginalized but I think that it's something that all Christians are called to. While Liberation Theology comes from a combination of theology and Marxist beliefs, it is obvious to me that all humans but especially Christians must stand up for what is right no matter the cost. I hope this was a valuable addition; I just had a lot to say, haha.

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  2. Haley RushingMarch 14, 2018 at 6:19 PM

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  3. Haley RushingMarch 14, 2018 at 6:24 PM

    Emily, you are so good with bringing your thoughts together!! To me, Catholicism is still tightly connected to the Catholic Church and unfortunately, not in the optimistic way you see. I have met MANY superb Catholics. They have hope, love, faith, and they show promise to society. However, I dare say I have met more Catholics that use their religion as an excuse. An excuse to discriminate; an excuse to deny the progression of our society; and most importantly, an security palette to fall back on when they have done wrong. I am a non-denominational server to Him. However, I have been to Catholic Church multiple times due to friends tagging me along. In that setting I have most often been made to feel uncomfortable. I understand that there is no ill-intent; however, when you are expected to cross your arms over your chest because you cannot accept the blood and body of Christ... it is quite unsettling. In the church that I go to, everybody is offered communion and welcomed with open arms at the doors. I do not believe Liberation Theology has been expressed by the Catholic Church or Catholics that I have met. To back this statement, I was in my sophomore year of high school and participating in Michigan Youth in Government. I have told about my community back home in prior posts... but just to remind, I was raised in a community where the majority of the population was Catholic. At this event, there was a bill proposed to legalize gay marriage nationally (before this was passed in June of 2015). All of the delegations were asked to participate in the passing or denial of this bill at our final banquet. It was quite simple... stand if you want it passed, sit if you do not. Out of 40 people in our delegation, 25 were standing and the rest remained in their seats. Two of our three delegation leaders (who were teachers) stayed in their seats. I was so confused that I asked a couple of my friends why they were sitting. Almost all of them responded with a religious answer. I looked at the Gaylord St. Marys delegation and all but 2 were in their seats. Based on encounters I have had... many Catholics were born into the religion and had near to no say in their continuation of practice. I know my thoughts aren't as well formulated as you or Emma's... but I hope they make sense(:

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