Comments on: Religion and the politics of poverty http://peterskim.org/2007/12/30/religion-and-the-politics-of-poverty/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:58:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Rev Ray Dubuque http://peterskim.org/2007/12/30/religion-and-the-politics-of-poverty/comment-page-1/#comment-12168 Rev Ray Dubuque Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:06:39 +0000 http://peterskim.org/2007/12/30/religion-and-the-politics-of-poverty/#comment-12168 You're probably right, if you're thinking about pastors of "independent" churches, some of whom don't even have a college education. But one of the advantages of belong to a "denomination" is that you have a tremendous amount of brain power behind you. It's thanks at least in part to churchmen that tremendous strides were made in America a hundred years ago after they committed themselves to the following: The Methodist "Social Creed" of 1908 "The Methodist Episcopal Church stands -- # For equal rights and complete justice for all men in all stations of life. # For the principles of conciliation and arbitration in industrial dissensions. # For the protection of the worker from dangerous machinery, occupational diseases, injuries, and mortality. # For the abolition of child labor. # For such regulation of the conditions of labor for women as shall safeguard the physical and moral health of the community. # For the suppression of the 'sweating system.' [sweat shops] # For the gradual and reasonable reduction of the hours of labor to the lowest practical point, with work for all; and for that degree of leisure for all which is the condition of the highest human life. # For a release from employment one day in seven. # For a living wage in every industry. # For the highest wage that each industry can afford, and for the most equitable division of the products of industry that can ultimately be devised. # For the recognition of 'the Golden Rule' and the mind of Christ as the supreme law of society and the sure remedy for all social ills." You’re probably right, if you’re thinking about pastors of “independent” churches, some of whom don’t even have a college education.
But one of the advantages of belong to a “denomination” is that you have a tremendous amount of brain power behind you. It’s thanks at least in part to churchmen that tremendous strides were made in America a hundred years ago after they committed themselves to the following: The Methodist “Social Creed” of 1908

“The Methodist Episcopal Church stands –
# For equal rights and complete justice for all men in all stations of life.
# For the principles of conciliation and arbitration in industrial dissensions.
# For the protection of the worker from dangerous machinery, occupational diseases, injuries, and mortality.
# For the abolition of child labor.
# For such regulation of the conditions of labor for women as shall safeguard the physical and moral health of the community.
# For the suppression of the ’sweating system.’ [sweat shops]
# For the gradual and reasonable reduction of the hours of labor to the lowest practical point, with work for all; and for that degree of leisure for all which is the condition of the highest human life.
# For a release from employment one day in seven.
# For a living wage in every industry.
# For the highest wage that each industry can afford, and for the most equitable division of the products of industry that can ultimately be devised.
# For the recognition of ‘the Golden Rule’ and the mind of Christ as the supreme law of society and the sure remedy for all social ills.”

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