Liberation Theology and why it is useful

Look I know many Liberals have an alergy to theology and all of that, but read on this intro to Lib Theology and you too will see why it can be used. Heck, it can also be used to divide the most conservative sections of the Catholic Church and the more liberal wing (where Liberation Theology came from). By the way, why do you all think Archbishop Romero was killed in El Salvador? Can you all say Liberation Theology?

Liberation Theology

Liberation theology refers to the Christian belief that the Church should intervene in cases of oppression or injustice. The historical development of liberation theology began with the belief that the Christian church should attempt to improve conditions in societies with a large discrepancy between upper and lower social classes due to poverty and oppressive government. The liberation theology revolution began in Latin America during the 1960s. One of the earliest works of liberation theology is Gustavo Gutierrez's The Theology of Liberation, written in 1969. Click here to read more >>>

Many Latin American Catholics were involved in the early years of the liberation theology revolution, following the encouragement of Pope Paul VI. Opponents of liberation theology equated the belief with Communism, and later activists of liberation theology became involved in increasingly violent rebellions. Consequently, Pope John Paul II offered a critique of the liberation theology movement and did not endorse the violence occurring under the pretext of liberation theology in Latin America.

http://www.questia.com/Index.jsp?CRID=liberation_theology&OFFID=se1&KEY=liberation_theology

for political action in Central America in the 80s. that's why the death squads targeted nuns and priests.

now the evangelicals have gained hegemony in Latin America. you can't tell me the builders of empire didn't have anything to do with that.

about that? The personal kind that is... some of the things I heard from refugees.

Now we have Liberation Theologians here in the United States, FIND THEM... we need to use whatever tools at our disposal.

Oh and on edit, what Latin America is going through right now is your average dose of Milleniarism that it goes through every so often... the kind that the fundies are taking advantage off

i am amazed at what we were able to do in the 80s. it seemed like so little at the time. it paled in comparison (to me) to what people were able to bring about in the 60s.

but now that i've had 20 years to ponder it, i think we really had the tiger by the tail.we were on to something.

i remember a round table discussion at a UCAM conference in DC. we were talking about our campus experiences. everyone was sharing great tales of eager activists and cool scenes. i was from East Tenn State Univ and i said my campus was a "hotbed of conservative activism."

everybody laughed. 'oh that's a good one!' they couldn't comprehend such a thing!

populations north. When they came in contact with us, Red Cross workers, we interviewed them, for files were being gathered and they may still see the light of day.

Some of the stories were easier to take than others, the ones that were down right horrible involved the murder of all males in teh dead of night and the systematic rape of all women in villages. Then they would leave them to die, literally

Some of these women made it north, and I remember taking notes, careful notes of these crimes.

So I know quite close and personal what our trained death squads did, why do you think everybody in Latin America sighed relief when Negroponte went to Baghdad? At least he is OFF this continent.

these stories are SO VERY important b/c the same criminals responsible for the death squads and low-intensity warfare then, are in positions of power now. it's so blatant that we are literally concerned for our freedom and safety here in the states.

what about elliot abrams in the middle east -- jeez!

and we wonder why all of a sudden tiny little towns in tennessee have tons of fabulous "mexican" restaurants!

did you know about the demonstration at the School of the Americas? it made late breaking news here on DU a couple of days ago.

i can't help but think that we have the experience and the brains and the passion to make things better this time around. it shouldn't be as hard as it is proving to be.

i'm in marketing communications now (big sell-out, i know) but my dream is to do nothing but media relations for freedom and democracy. i am stronger now. i have more resources and experience, and it is so frustrating to think (to know) i was more effective as a college student!

and I will use the game to make points

The fluff includes things like a failure of democracy, the rise of a new feudal society and the dream of freedom

Yes it is 1500 years from now, but the fluff is very political, overtly the game is very political. I hope the kids, who are no dummies, will connect it to the here and now... and realize that they need to do things on tehir own

By they way, we will need somebody who knows about marketing once we are ready to go to print... so will ask my bro in law, I'd rather work with a fellow liberal if you know what I mean.

If you are interested in seeing what we are doing PM me, I will make a copy available of some of the work... as in either the novel or some of the background info... and yes Aliens were thrown in for the sci fi effect. Their ethics, lets just say it is the Republic by Plato, FULLY

that be found on Amazon.com

Thanks for bringing up the subject!

of the Americas and the efforts to shut down Americas' premier terrorist training camp.

He spoke about his life and how he worked among the poor in La paz Bolivia during the dirty wars in Latin America

After the talk I had a chance to talk to him and I asked him about Liberation Theology, something he hadn't mentioned in his talk. His eyes lit up and he said, "What is theology for if not liberation? Do we want an oppression theology?"

Over the years I volunteered as a medic for the Red Cross in Mexico... well apart of the war on drugs (real war, real shootings, real casualties, real ... you know the rest), every December 24th I spent it on watch. I am Jewish so I sent one of my kids home, My partner also took the watch.

Well we always got Seminary Students to come that night, and only that night. So after the mass (which I never atended, me and my partner were always the ONLY rig on duty while everybody else was at Mass, and of course our dispatcher). Well every year I had either the priest or the Seminary Student ask... I did not see you at Mass.

So the usual awkward moment came, of what the hell do I tell them... well by year five I just told cited Isaiah... "He who saves a live saves humanity and he who takes a live kills humanity." They usually nodded and understood, and the discusion went from there. It was about the need in both faiths to help others, what in Judaism is called Tikum Olam, making the world better. So over the years I learned quite a bit about Liberation Theology from them. I know this is not a new movement perse. The last time the Church went through this was during the Age of the Elightenment, and I know that we can incorporate the ideas right into our philosophy, they are not that different, and stand side by side, with Liberal religious leaders.

> "Do we want an oppression theology?"

Somebody obviously does.

of good in most theologies. Never throw the baby out with the bath water, I say.

John Paul II was always opposed to liberation theology, and pretty much
put an end to it in the Catholic Church. The only social change the
Catholic hierarchy endorses now is banning abortion and driving gays
back into the closet. Those issues trumped the Pope's token opposition
to Iraq war and caused the Church to stump hard for Bushler, showing
where their true priorities lie.

There are, of course, still Catholics dedicated to positive social
change, but they have no support from Rome.

are starting to smell another schism, to come soon

Interesting thread.

I believe in liberation theology. I worked in a mental health clinic where, for obvious and good reason, religion could not play a role in the services we provided. But one of my co-workers had been a priest, and another had trained to be a Jesuit. We often sat on breaks and discussed liberation theology.

are attempting to kill off any aspects of liberation theology

ironic the Jesuits (who once were less than liberal) are behind much of Libeation Theology and the Opus Dei is not even an order.

Hey I do know some people who are members of the Dei, they are... RADICALS