Gratitude

The Path to Social Justice

There are in scripture several examples of lives well-lived. These individuals each possessed a specific characteristic that propelled them to internal peace and harmony in their lives. Each in their unique circumstances persevered patiently in the face of all types of adversity.

Scripture depicts the lives of Joseph (Yusuf), Jonah (Yunus) and Mary (Mariam) and others as people who, in the face of difficulties, remained steadfast in their worship as they faced personal challenges. They patiently persevered to achieve their righteous goals. In time, The Almighty removed their difficulties and gave them relief. As their lives changed, they acknowledged God’s assistance and increased in their reverence and devotion to Him (Qur’an 94:1–8).

A similar story could be told with respect to the challenges faced by various people throughout history. In several cultural traditions there are narratives of oppression relieved by Divine intervention. Apartheid in South Africa would be an example of a people that were oppressed and found deliverance by Divine intervention. So too, would be the story of chattel slavery in America.

Oppression cannot exist forever in a Divine creation. What happens when affliction is removed but the recipients are ungrateful to The Almighty? They lose Divine guidance and wander in confusion to-and-fro.

The story of America

Faced with religious oppression in Europe, many early settlers to the United States found freedom on this continent and worked to establish an equitable social order — albeit for white men only.

Clear evidence of this can be seen in the reference to The Almighty in our national documents and student textbooks such as “The New England Primer.” The laws and educational objectives of these people were infused with gratitude for The Creator.

The nation grew and prospered for decades. Then greed and self-interest found fertile soil on the North American continent and gratitude to our Creator was displaced. Freedom and justice came to mean those in power had freedom to use their influence to manipulate legislation at the expense of justice and equity of others.

Self-serving individuals are a minority but they speak with such authority that their “alternative truths” are taken as fact. God-conscious people of all faiths must speak loudly in support of honesty and truth, thus over shadowing the voices of those that would oppress their fellow citizens.

Naturally there are many people who appreciate Divine intervention in our social and political order. They are thankful to our Creator and recognize their social responsibilities.

However, as the ungrateful and greedy grow in number, our laws, norms of morality and public policy are changing. Social injustice is rationalized in support of the thirst for political and economic power.

Today our nation is feeling the effects of man’s ingratitude to his Creator. Some of our legislators are so hungry for power, that they are willing to support a documented “Big Lie” and block legislation that has the potential of advancing social justice in American society.

Although a minority, ingratitude to The Almighty is growing in our country and greed and self-interest are gaining momentum. The challenge facing all God-conscious people is to hold fast to Divine guidance after any adversity. We should not let our future be determined by greedy non-God-conscious people.

Working cooperatively, an interfaith community shall prevail. Scripture reminds us, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).