Liberation Theology and an LDS Perspective: Lesson 09 REL E 630 World Religions and Security Analysis

Liberation Theology The Concepts of Justice and Peace a Call for Social Action Mathew 25:36…And I was naked and you clothed me, I was hungry and you fed me. Liberation from unjust social, economic and political conditions Is a letter of Love to God It is an effort to respond Liberation Theology has never been condemned by any Pope Liberation from sin, to forgive, etc. Poverty can destroy faith Luke 16:19-31 To know God is to do action A theology of Love

Liberation Theology The Good News of Liberation—Three emphases Liberation from unjust social structures Liberation from the power of fate Liberation from personal sin and guilt—the reality of grace, the assurance that mercy and forgiveness are always at hand. Why—because Christ is the Liberator To know God is to do Justice Poverty and Oppression is the direct result of the sinfulness of society

Liberation Theology Class Struggle, and the Oppression of the Poor First emphasis is liberation from unjust social structures Liberation from the power of fate Liberation from personal sin and guilt—the reality of grace, the assurance that mercy and forgiveness are always at hand. Christ is the Liberator To know God is to do Justice

Liberation Theology and Mormonism King Benjamin’s Address Mosiah 4: 16-19 Condemns those who reject the poor He says, And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just––But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

Liberation Theology and Mormonism In the Book of Mormon Told through the standpoint of the oppressors Written about a people that are rich and powerful People fall if they do not devoid themselves of pride, wealth, and privilege Socio-economic order of living righteously—elimination of poverty Sin causes society to fall, e.g., socio-economic classes The cycle of the fall (pride and wealth)

Influence of Liberation Theology

Influence of Liberation Theology

Influence of Liberation Theology

The Journey

Cunen

Cunen

Three Areas of Social Justice: Education Health Land Reform

Three Areas of Social Justice: Education

Three Areas of Social Justice: Education

Three Areas of Social Justice: Education

Three Areas of Social Justice: Health

Three Areas of Social Justice: Health

Three Areas of Social Justice: Health

Three Areas of Social Justice: Land Reform Father Stan Rother, Santiago Atitlan Father Marco Maruzzo, Quriqua Father Luis Pellecer, Guat City Father Juan Fernandez, Cunen and Uspantan Father Jose Cirera, Quiche Father Walter Voordecker, Esquitla Father Conrado de la Cruz

Three Areas of Social Justice: Land Reform

The LDS Church

The LDS Church

So What of Liberation Theology