There's not enough intrigue on this blog ;) So, I'll push some buttons for the sake of discussion: Would Dorothy Day be in support of the Millenium Development Goals? Why or why not? Or, more accessibly, are the MDG's consistent with the vision of the Catholic Worker?
Just to get things going, let's have a statement in favor and one opposed. In favor: Dorothy and Peter were always talking about changing the social order, with rhetoric very clearly influenced by communism and socialism. This seems to favor a commitment to goals of global justice (e.g., access to clean water). In opposition: Dorothy and Peter were equally known for the emphasis on the grass roots, or personalist, approach to these problems with an anarchist tinge. What do anarchists mean when they talk about changing the social order?
So, what do you think?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Catholic Worker and MDG's: A Provocation
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1 comment:
Hey, everyone. I'm a friend of Colin & Lisa's. He turned me on to your blog and I've subscribed.
I think this is a great topic, worthy of much discussion.
For me, the enduring answer thus far is "yes and no". I can't speak at all to Dorothy & Peter's assessment of the MDG's, but I find myself reflecting on the Goals' desire for justice, and think that they can't be completely removed from a Christian worldview.
Equally, however, when the undergirding of Christian presuppositions (whether implicit or explicit) is removed from humanistic activity, it all eventually crumbles, perhaps first philosophically and metaphysically, but eventually even in word and deed. I don't know how well it parallels Dorothy & Peter's anarchist tendencies, but I would advocate for the Church being the primary vehicle for the alleviation of poverty, social justice, etc., not least (nor indeed most) for the reason stated above.
Keep up the Go(o)d work!
P
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