It's time to reclaim the pro-worker history of Catholic social teaching

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

This Labor Day, presidential candidates will no doubt be talking about the plight of American workers and fairness in the U.S. economy. Few, if any, are likely to mention the Catholic Church’s significant contributions to the fight for worker justice. But as extreme inequality continues to grow, there’s value in reflecting on how Catholic social teaching has offered a check on the excesses of unfettered capitalism over the past century.
A hundred years ago, America’s Catholic bishops issued what then amounted to a radical set of proposals that in the following decades would influence President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms. The bishops’ “Program for Social Reconstruction” called for a minimum wage and labor participation in management decisions, along with insurance for the elderly, disabled and unemployed funded by a tax on industry.....

Outside Washington, Catholics were leading progressive movements for economic dignity. In New York, Boston and other major cities, “labor priests” organized parish schools where workers were instructed in Catholic teaching about workers’ rights and concretely applied those principles to the practical details of collective bargaining.

To read more:

https://religionnews.com/2019/09/01/this-labor-day-its-time-to-reclaim-the-pro-worker-history-of-catholic-social-teaching/

[Cartoonist]

1. A longing for what was

Living in the past.

[guillaumeb]

2. If you are at all familiar with the history of Catholic social justice work,

you know that it never ended.

[Act_of_Reparation]

3. Was that before or after they helped prop up fascist regimes in Italy, Spain, and Portugal...

...and basically every military dictatorship in Latin America?

[guillaumeb]

5. Whataboutism 101. eom

[trotsky]

6. Actually, if the discussion is about...

"the Catholic Church’s significant contributions to the fight for worker justice", as your article states, then the full story should be told, should it not? I mean the title of the article even has to use the word "reclaim" meaning there is other history that shouldn't be whitewashed. That's not fair to labor at all.

"The Catholic Church’s significant contributions to the fight for worker justice" covers many good AND bad things. It's not "whataboutism" to talk about the full story, and you don't get to censor information you don't like despite your constant efforts to do so.

[guillaumeb]

7. Again, you demonstrate your misunderstanding about the whataboutism fallacy. eom

[trotsky]

8. Sure thing buddy.

If that's what you gotta tell yourself.

[Act_of_Reparation]

9. No, it isn't.

If the argument is "the Church is historically a pro-labor organization", then the Church's history of supporting anti-labor governments becomes more than fucking somewhat topical.

I eagerly await your next exciting distraction.

[guillaumeb]

10. Whataboutism also involves changing the subject.

[trotsky]

11. But the subject hasn't changed.

The subject is still the Catholic church's history with labor. No one has attempted to change the subject.

It's laughably pathetic how desperate you are to try and censor information you don't like.

[Act_of_Reparation]

12. I can't tell if it is incompetence or dishonesty.

Whatever the case may be, pursuing discussion on the matter is pointless. The OP is either unwilling or unable to talk about the Church's pattern of talking out both sides of its mouth with regard to labor.

[trotsky]

13. It's definitely the latter.

He knows what he's doing. His history has made it clear that he cannot stand hearing any criticism of religion or religious beliefs - he could easily avoid the viewpoints he doesn't like if he went to any of the dozen or so safe zones for religious discussion. But he stays here and complains bitterly about contrary opinions being expressed.

And since he is unwilling or unable to counter ideas with actual discussion, he attacks with his standard toolkit - calling those who disagree with him part of a "choir" and mindlessly following a fictional "commandment", or accusing them of "whataboutism" as we see here, or claiming they're just pushing a "narrative", etc. No actual engagement and debate, just insults.

[guillaumeb]

15. You certainly do love your narrative. eom

Now, if you wish to see another example of whataboutism refer to this:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218318142#post3

Notice how you immediately change the topic so you can attack theism.

[trotsky]

18. Ta da!

Exactly as predicted. And no, it's not whataboutism to observe that you took completely different positions on the same topic (reaching out to and working with Republicans). Keep trying. Keep attacking me. You only continue to cement the fact that no one should take you seriously.

[guillaumeb]

14. The focus is on support for workers.

If the claim had been that the RCC always took a progressive stance, that would be different.

[trotsky]

17. No, the article itself mentions the significant anti-labor history.

Completely on topic. Your "whataboutism" accusation falls flat... again. But ironically you've derailed your own thread attacking others. Again.

[edhopper]

16. Why have so many here changed the topic from

the Catholic Church's history with labor to the Catholic Church's history with labor?

What about Catholic Church's history with labor?

Should we even talk about the RCC's support of slavery?

[guillaumeb]

19. Speaking of diversion, and dustractions,

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2017/01/22/white-nationalist-richard-spencer-says-hes-an-atheist/

[trotsky]

20. Now THAT'S whataboutism.

Thanks for demonstrating it, g.

[guillaumeb]

21. It certainly is.

As was this, by you:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1218318142#post3

[trotsky]

22. I am glad you admit you use whataboutism.

Asking you for clarification on your position about working with Republicans is not. But you keep on trying, bub. I get a lot of amusement out of watching you flop around.

[guillaumeb]

23. Did you actually go to the link?

If so, feel free to explain how your whataboutism is not actually whataboutism.

[trotsky]

24. Asking you for clarification on your position about working with Republicans is not whataboutism.

I'll repeat this as long as it takes for you to understand that.

But as an added bonus, you pointing to another thread with a completely unrelated discussion IS yet another example of you engaging in actual whataboutism.

If you didn't shoot yourself in the foot so damn much, you wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

[guillaumeb]

25. Confirming what I thought.

Anyone who did realized that it was about yet another thread where you diverted from the topic.

[trotsky]

28. Confirming that your thoughts are wrong, yes.

Keep putting on this performance - it's great!

[MRDAWG]

26. I was taught Rerum novarum in high school in the 1960's. Pope.......

Pope (Saint) John Paul II reaffirmed this later. I miss this Catholic church.

Read the Catechism for adults. Read the "Thou shall not steal" chapter.

[guillaumeb]

27. Welcome to DU.

Catholics have always been a strong presence in progressive movements. Dorothy Day is one such, as are the Berrigans.