Prophetic Voices: Pope Francis and Bernie Sanders

[mak3cats]

Op-ed by Harold Kasimow of the Des Moines Register:

As a student of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972), one of the most creative Jewish thinkers of the 20th century, I often speak of him as a modern-day prophet. Heschel was not only a scholar, but also a tireless activist. For the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Heschel was “one of the truly great men of our day and age . . . indeed a truly great prophet.”

People sometimes ask me “Are there any prophetic voices today?” Two people come to mind: Pope Francis and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who represents Vermont in the U.S. Senate. But how do we define a prophet?

What stands out for me about the classical prophets is their passion for social justice and their deep sensitivity to injustice. They are appalled by human greed and can never adjust to it. More than anything else, they are outraged by the “monstrosity of inequality.” This is precisely the message of Sanders, as well as of Pope Francis, who are deeply committed to bring healing to the world, especially to the poor.

Pope Francis and Sanders speak with authenticity about the injustice of income inequality and the catastrophic agonies of climate change, especially for the poorest people of the world. On these and many other critical issues, Pope Francis and Sanders speak with great passion and indignation. It is not surprising then that so many people have been attracted to supporting Sanders' candidacy for president.

More at the link...

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/caucus/2015/08/26/prophetic-voices-pope-francis-bernie-sanders/32403779/

In the interest of full disclosure, I am an atheist. However, Pope Francis has impressed me a great deal with his rock-the-boat papacy and I think his and Bernie's positions coincide in many areas. I don't see comparisons being made between the two men as being a bad thing.

(And yes, I still deplore the Catholic Church's positions on birth control, abortion, gay marriage, women in the priesthood, etc., etc., but I won't belittle the changes Francis has made just because he hasn't made all the changes I think he SHOULD make.)

[sabrina 1]

1. Very good article. Thank you. Bernie certainly was prophetic when casting his votes against Iraq

and the Patriot Act and the Welfare Reform Bill, always predicting the long term effects.

Having someone with the influence Pope Francis has on over a billion people, on the side of eradicating poverty, making Climate Change a huge, moral issue, against the constant devastating wars that are still ongoing, is not just a blow to Republicans, it could be a real plus for Dems on all of these issues.

I will take the good from any powerful leader on those issues, we need all the help we can get.

[mak3cats]

2. My sentiments exactly... (eom)

[99th_Monkey]

3. Big K&R -nt-

[Enthusiast]

4. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

I like it!

[senz]

5. Thanks mak3cats. It is interesting that these two have emerged at this time.

Perhaps harbingers of great change...