DCT :Unit 6.2 Liberation theology/Marx Flashcards
Liberation Theology
The MOVEMENT within Christianity developed in 1960s Latin America
The goal is that CHRISTIANITY should TACKLE INJUSTICE in the WORLD
PARTICULARLY POVERTY
Gustavo Gutierrez
Principle Founders of LIBERATION THEOLOGY
believes the TRUE MESSAGE of Jesus was ACTION on behalf of MARGINALISED PEOPLE and sees that CHRISTIANITY had FORGOTTEN THIS
Gutierrez Belief of the Christian’s in the World on Injustice
Saw that CHRISTIANS have become BLIND to the INJUSTICES of the WORLD
Gutierrez belief on Action for Christians in the world
Believed that Theology should not be STUDIED by Academics
but it should be LIVED IN THE WORLD
He believed Christianity is too FOCUSED ON their OWN SPIRITUALITY
that they NO LONGER ACT in the WORLD
Orthodoxy
The Right Belief Gutierrez believed this comes AFTER ORTHOPRAXY
Orthopraxy
The right Action Gutierrez believed This comes BEFORE ORTHODOXY
In order for CHRISTIANITY to have a POSITIVE change in the WORLD
3 Main Concepts of LT :Kingdom of God
Though MOST CHRISTIANS interpret this as HEAVEN
However Liberation Theology sees this as ‘THE WORLD MADE ANEW’
it means that CHRISTIANS should CREATE KINGDOM OF GOD on EARTH and NOT WAIT for DEATH
this is ACHIEVED through DESTROYING the ROOTS of EXPLOITATION and OPPRESSION in the World-striving for PECACE AND JUSTICE
Salvation is THEREFORE achieved by POLITICAL and SOCIAL REVOLUTION
It is in SHORT TERM a CALL to ACTION
3 Main Concepts of LT : Preferential Option for the Poor
The Belief that THROUGHOUT the BIBLE there is a common TREND where JESUS/GOD shows a PREFERENCE for INDIVIDUAL MARGINALISED in SOCIETY
Because Christianity is grounded on the idea that all people are MADE in the IMAGE OF GOD ; LT argue Christians should Fight for those who are OPPRESSED and DEHUMANISED by the INEQUALITY of the WORLD to Re-establish DIGNITY
3 Main Concepts of LT : Preferential Option for the Poor -Gutierrez belief
Gutierrez argues that Christians TOO OFTEN WATCH POVERTY FROM THE SIDES.
such as donating to charity but expecting SOMEONE ELSE TO MAKE THE CHANGE
He believes that CHRISTIANS MUST become INVOLVED and ACT for OTHERS as if they were THEIR OWN FRIENDS AND FAMILIES
NOT STRANGERS on the OTHER SIDE of the WORLD-Christians must OPT for the POOR
Preferential Option for the Poor Burning Building Analogy -Oscar Romero
Romero If you are watching a BUILDING BURN wondering if ANYBODY SAFE Standing there
However if someone then says YOUR MOTHER AND SISTER are in the BUILDING your ATTITUDE CHANGES -you BECOME FRANTIC and DESPERATE TO SAVE THEM no MATTER what happens to YOU
This is HOW we should act for THE POOR not look from the OUTSIDE but get INSIDS TO HELP as if THEY WERE are MOTHER and SISTER BURNING
3 Main Concepts of LT : Jesus as a SOCIAL and Political and Social REVOLUTIONARY
Jesus Standing up for and AFFILIATING himself with THOSE that were MARGINALSED FROM SOCIETY despite the act against the Social conventions of the time, show him OPTING for the POOR
IT is a Key View for Liberation Theology
Quote Supporting Preferential option of the poor:Pope John Paul II
The Church must have CONCERN for and DEDICATION to CATEGORIES of PEOPLE who were BELOVED by LORD JESUS
Marxism
A set of political and economic ideas founded by Karl Marx
Who was AGAINST the IDEA of CAPITALISM which he believed caused ALIENATION of PEOPLE in the WORLD
He believed that CAPITALISM created a SOCIETY where WEALTH and POWER were CONCENTRATED into the HANDS of A FEW while the REST SUFFER-
Marx argued this would eventually LEAD to VIOLENT UPRISING REVOLTING against the RICH and POWERFUL
Basic Ideas of Marx Thinking
The WORLD is SPLIT in Two MAIN CLASSES WORKING CLASS and BOURGEOIS CLASS
THE WORKING CLASS is always EXPLOITED by BOURGEOIS CLASS and will BECOME ALIENATED and DEPRESSED
When workers REALISE the EXPLOITATION, they WILL REVOLT against BOURGEOISE CLASS VIOLENTLY
COMMUNISM will SOLVE this
Exploitation
Treating Someone UNFAIRLY in ORDER to BENEFIT off THEIR WORK or Resources
