The Circle of Faith: Analysis

Read together pages 88-96 in LIVING JUSTICE

AND PEACE

If we truly care about the world and its people, then eventually we will ask “Why are so many people unable to live out their human dignity as God intended?” We already know that sin is when people continue to promote injustice (i.e. whenever they choose to seek their own self interest at the expense of the good of others). Therefore we can conclude that injustice is the result of human choices.

Social AnalysisOur ability and willingness to ask questions is the beginning of social analysis. Questions such as “who is responsible” begin the analysis of problems such as homelessness. Questions may in fact be the most important tool for social analysis. By asking questions we acknowledge that we do not know enough about a problem to solve it – thereby allowing us to explore the problem at a deeper level. We must of course remember that the types of questions we ask will lead to the types of answers we receive.

Why Questions?The more we ask questions, the more we become aware of the issues that surround us. The greater our awareness becomes, the more questions we are able to ask – we can see the cycle in action! Question after question will often lead us to the realization that many issues (i.e. homelessness, poverty, crime rates, education…) are all connected. We soon realize that all of creation is interdependent.Interdependent: we depend on one another for our existence; almost everything we do is dependent on the life giving relationships we have with others.

A World of Interdependent Relationships

To build justice we need to ask: “What life-giving relationships are necessary to make justice happen?” Two factors are extremely important in answering this question:

Social Structures and Power

Social Structures:• The patterns and relationships that shape society• Government, law, business, education, families are all

examples of social structures• People often presume that social structures are permanent

or inevitable, but really social structures are a result of decisions that people make – every day!

• For example, justice for the hungry is made possible daily by people who choose to help out at community kitchens or food banks

• Individual decisions can also lead to decisions that block justice these are called structural sins (e.g. not increasing minimum wage)

• The underlying message is that social structures that lead to injustice are not shaped by chance – they do not just ‘happen’

Power:• Human power is the God-given ability everyone has to affect

their own life• All people have power because all people have the ability to

cause change – at least on some level• Believing that human beings are the source of their own

power suggests that power is earned and must be ‘kept’ or else it is lost – this type of worldview is called power-over. Such power is often acquired at the expense and the needs of the poor and vulnerable

• Believing that human beings must use their power to affect the world around them, but not control the world around them is called power-with. This is because it is seen as something to be used with and for others to bring about goodness for everyone. Each person’s power is based upon another person’s willingness to cooperate.

Social Structures

Power-Over

Power-Over

Power-Over

Power-With

Power-With

Journal Option #1

Create a cartoon that shows either Social Structures or Power being demonstrated.

Journal Option #2

1. Think of own cultural social structure – St. David. What things have we done as a community to help the others in our community? (Think of the people who go to school here, and think of outside the school.) Name two things and describe what the St. David community does to help them. (ie. Breakfast club, Thanksgiving/Christmas food drive, clothing drive…) 2. How often are you willing to cooperate? Think of the two things you named above. For each one, describe how involved you were with helping. (Did you bring in money? Canned food?, etc.) If not, answer honestly why you did not get involved.

Journal Option #1Create a cartoon that shows either Social Structures or Power being demonstrated.Explain the cartoon in 2-3 sentences.

ORJournal Option #2 (2 paragraphs)1. Think of own cultural social structure – St. David. What things have we done as a community to help the others in our community? (Think of the people who go to school here, and think of outside the school.) Name two things and describe what the St. David community does to help them. (ie. Breakfast club, Thanksgiving/Christmas food drive, clothing drive…) 2. How often are you willing to cooperate? Think of the two things you named above. For each one, describe how involved you were with helping. (Did you bring in money? Canned food?, etc.) If not, answer honestly why you did not get involved.