On Justice

The general meaning of justice (Gk. dikaosune) in the ethical sense is treating others fairly and impartially.  This applies both on a personal and organization level.  Interestingly, the same Greek word is often translated "righteousness" in the New Testament.

Both Plato and Aristotle included justice in their lists of cardinal virtues.  Plato (Republic) describes justice as the dominant virtue of both individuals and societies.  This means that any ethical matter comes under the realm of justice.

As a virtue, justice is an internal state of a person or organization and does not rely on social, political, or economic norms and is not determined by good consequences (utilitarianism).  Virtue is defined as excellence of character by the ancient Greeks, with the opposite of virtue being vice.

According to Aristotle, there are two aspects of justice:

       1.  Outward -- treating others fairly and impartially.

       2.  Inward -- People should receive benefits according to their merits.  One should seek their fair share and no more or no less.  The opposing pole of justice here is greediness.

Lawrence Kohlberg describes 6 stages of human moral development.  The highest stage is a concern for justice and human rights.

In a report published by the National Organization for Women (www.now.org), there was a substantial differential in men/women earnings in 2004.  The median women's earnings were 76% of that of men.  In the case of African American women, this dropped to 69%, while with Latino women the differential was 58%.  Women were found to be paid less in every occupational category for which sufficient data is available.  If the compensation was equitable, women's annual income would increase by $4000.

A Gender Equity Study has been in process within the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church for several years.  Each year during the past ten years, the base compensation of male pastors exceeded that of women when adjusted for experience.  This differential has increased almost each year of the study and is thought to be based solely on gender.

I find it disturbing that injustice (vice) is overtly being practiced within a mainline Protestant denomination.  The public image of organized religion has been damaged considerably for several years.  Practicing acts of injustice withing the church certainly does not help the image.

Comments

[Shorty]

Many if not most religions condone unjust treatment of women - it is sad that the UMC can be counted among them.

[Mark]

I too find it, "disturbing that injustice (vice) is overtly being practiced within a mainline Protestant denomination." I would say that Gender inequity is just one area of many... I find it ironic that, this year, the United Methodist tradition celebrates 50 years of "full clergy right for women," a right that should have come with birth, and should have been available since the inception of Christianity...
It is a sad reality that injustice(s)continue to run amuck within Christianity... a religion built on the precept of bringing relief and freedom in the midst of oppression and injustice.

Perhaps, one day, Christianity will stand, holistically, in the light of its namesake....

[Ed]

As we know, women were considered to be inferior to men by both the ancient Greeks and Jews. These societies were male dominated and women simply had very little status. However, justice was one of the primary messages of Jesus -- social, political, and economic justice. In fact, I believe the Sermon on the Mount to be primarly a dissertation on applied virtue ethics to be practiced in the developing Kingdom (Empire) of God.
Here we are almost 2000 years later and injustice regarding women's privileges is still being practiced (fortunately, to a much lesser degree).
Again, one would hope that this is not the case within the church. However, data does not support this supposition.