<< LAST Contents NEXT >>
Every faith tradition calls us to do justice:
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism
Every faith tradition agrees with Martin Sheen’s “I’m here to do what is asked by a loving God.”
Judaism
- The Jewish Prophet Amos: “I hate, I despise your feast days. Though you bring me offerings, I will not accept them. Shut up your noisy singing. I will not listen to the music of your orchestras and choirs. Instead, let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream, (5:21- 24).”
- The Jewish Prophet Micah: “What kind of worship does God want from me? This is what the Lord requires: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God, (6:8).”
Christianity
- Jesus in Matthew: “Too bad for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You know how to tithe the spices in your gardens, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: Justice, Mercy, and Good faith,(23:23).”
- Jesus in Mark: “Woe to you Pharisees for you tithe mint and rue and every herb and neglect justice and the love of God, (11:42).”
Islam
Believers! Be resolute in your allegiance to God, staunch witnesses for justice. On no account let hatred against any people cause you to be perverted from what is just. Deal justly. To do so is the nearest thing to the fear of God. (Surah 5.8-9)
Buddhism
- Four Noble Truths (pali ariya sacca) offering relief from the causes of human suffering
- The moral precepts especially to refrain from harming living beings (ahimsa)
- The practice of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity (brahmaviharas)
Hinduism
- Come together, talk together, Let our minds be in harmony, Common be our prayer, Common be our end, Common be our purpose, Common be our deliberations, Common be our desires, United be our hearts, United be our intentions, Perfect be the union among us. (Rgveda X.191.2-4)
Do those who practice your “faith tradition” encourage you to oppose extremism?
If you have no “faith tradition,” why are you willing to protest?
