CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS AND NEW THINKING ABOUT A FAIRER SOCIETY
/KRESŤANSKÁ SOCIÁLNA ETIKA A NOVÉ UVAŽOVANIE O SPRAVODLIVEJŠEJ SPOLOČNOSTI/

Ladislav MORAVIK

doctorand, Faculty of Health and Social Work of St. Ladislav, St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social sciences, Nové Zámky, Ul. Slovenská 11/A, Nové Zámky, Slovakia, l.moravik@gmail.com

Abstract

The article deals with a not positive economic and social situation in the world. It presents the most urgent problems of the social crisis. Economic trends, that are the cause of growing social inequalities, pauperization of a large part of the population and social exclusion. The study highlights four key challenges facing society today: unemployment, growing social inequality, leaving privacy, and changing governance. At the same time, the author tries to outline an alternative that would reverse this course. The article also addresses the importance of raising social rights and eliminating growing inequalities, which have become increasingly intense and widespread in recent years, despite attempts to reduce disparities in society throughout the 20th century.

Keywords

Christianity, humanity, humanism, crisis, faith

SUMMARY

In the study, we listed the most serious social challenges facing Christian social ethics today. Certainly, this calculation is not enough. In terms of urgency, as well as the focus and scope of the contribution, we have narrowed them down to those which, in our view, are key areas - the issue of employment, social justice and a paradigm shift in the thinking and political involvement of Christians. It is worth considering whether there should be a new theological synthesis of economic and social life within social philosophy. This would not be a new Christian social teaching, but a new type of theology of economic life.

Thoughts of a similar kind have already emerged. One example of the theology of economic life developed in the spirit of the theology of earthly realities is the work of the social philosopher and theologian Mons. René Coste (1922-2018), a pioneer of the ecumenical environmental movement in France and a supporter of the integral protection of creation for sustainable development. Costa has also been president of Pax Christi France for many years and has been actively involved in the ecumenical movement for peace, justice, and the integrity of creation.

We realize that no theory can be perfect, so the theology of economic life will also require further reformulations that will allow for a more precise and deeper articulation. However, we are convinced that the theory of the theology of economic life is one of the most important theoretical achievements in contemporary social philosophy and certainly deserves its further elaboration.

We share with Carriquiry the view that Christians are called to testify that power is a service and thus to rehabilitate the noblest sense of politics. Politics also means a power struggle, but a power struggle to serve better. The motive of a Christian to engage in politics should not be power, but service. "Service to the needy, the suffering, the poor, in which the face of the Lord is reflected. Because for them "political charity" is the search and effort to find the best institutional means to feed the hungry, feed the thirsty, dress the naked, harbor the wayfarers, care for the sick and persecuted. "[18]

The Christian politician must strive to address all these areas by changing the laws and structures that govern social life, even where the structures themselves perpetuate injustice, inequality, and discrimination and are therefore called "structural sins." For a Christian politician, every change should begin in the heart and spread in love. Because only love that transcends our human dimensions is a source of energy and accompanies us on the path of participation, solidarity, and brotherhood.

(Language: slovak)

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