Joining the Jesus Freaks

Recently, Heather sent me a link to this article about the ‘audacious optimism’ in the young generation of Christian leaders who are throwing themselves into the cause of social justice.

Wait, isn’t social justice the cause of the graying hippies?   Didn’t the War on Poverty come out of the Johnson administration?   Gen Xers like me often think of Christianity as associated with saving souls, not making meals.

Enter Scott Todd and his “58” project.   Todd’s proposes that the 138,000,000 Christians in the US, and their allies, put their collective wealth and power together to end global poverty in a generation.   He addresses Matthew 26:11, in which Jesus tells Judas, “For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always,” and goes on to say that God has given us amazing wealth, and we need to act on the opportunity to do something with it.   He flatly refutes that God wants people to suffer in poverty.

The 58 project is named after the message of Isaiah 58, in which Isaiah addresses those who wonder why their sacrifices aren’t noticed by God.   He tells them they must use their blessings to correct injustices.   Todd recalls the exhortation of Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said that we must become co-workers with God.

In the video on the 58 homepage, Todd preaches that God has given us all we need to end poverty (and the disease, suffering and death that accompany it) if we’ll only accept the mission/calling that has been extended.   Readers are asked to Choose a Fast (way to contribute) and act on it.

This project is using technology to match resources to needs.   It is harnessing the internet, paypal, video, facebook and other social networking forums to encourage pre-emptive fasting, so to speak.   Rather than fast and later donate the money you would have spent, readers are encouraged to ‘fast now’ by clicking and donating right then.   To act immediately on the inspiration.

I can’t help but think of the many calls I’ve heard over the years, in person and on the internet, for more social justice work by the LDS church.   We are reminded of the Church’s many Humanitarian Aid projects, of course.     And the fast offering program.   But a global call to action could be amazing.   I’d love to see more action on the so-called “fourth mission of the church.” Is this hindered by a doctrine of social injustice, however unspoken?   Do we believe, deep down, that the poor are that way because God wants them to be?   Do any of you feel called and prepared to do something about poverty, or do you feel like it’s someone else’s problem?   Is instant fasting appealing to you, or too much of a paradigm shift?   Do you feel paralyzed, wondering if this project is ‘inspired’ and the Right Thing to Do?   Should members of the LDS church participate in movements for social justice that are outside of the Church?