With LIBERTY and justice for all...

Words in the English language are wonderfully rich in meaning. I believe words should be used carefully and in line with Webster's earliest American Dictionary of the English Language. Sadly, that is not always the case. A lot of words have been hijacked from their original meaning and twisted to accommodate certain agendas, thus causing unnecessary confusion and silly debate at times.

Take the word "justice" for example. The primary meaning of this word from Webster's 1828 dictionary was: "the virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other; honesty; integrity in commerce or mutual intercourse."

By contrast, today the word "justice" can frequently imply the notions of equal distribution of wealth/property, and/or a form of restoration/retribution for wrongs committed against certain groups of people. When you compound word meanings by adding "social" in front of the word "justice," it gets even more confusing. Especially for well-meaning people and men and women of faith.

Who wouldn't want "social justice?"

But, think very carefully before putting your stamp of approval on it. Do you really know what that phrase means for the people using it? Depending on their world view, it can mean a wide variety of things. I am learning that I am really for "social justice" when it comes to some groups/organizations, and then really against it when it comes to other groups/organizations. It all depends on who is invoking the term and where they are coming from both philosophically and politically. I am also learning that you really need to dig deeper to find out the true motivations for "social justice" before you give certain groups/organizations your support.

That is why I have developed a litmus test for "social justice" going forward. The inspiration for this test came from the United States of America's Pledge of Allegiance. At the end of that pledge, it says with LIBERTY and justice for all.

Returning to Webster's 1828 dictionary, liberty means: "freedom from restraint; the power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control; only abridged and restrained as is necessary and expedient for the safety and interest of the society, state or nation."

Other common meanings for the word liberty include: freedom from arbitrary or despotic government control; freedom from external or foreign rule; freedom from interference, obligation, restriction and hampering; independence.

So, to me that means that when liberty is absent (even when it comes to something potentially wonderful like "social justice"), you have tyranny and/or oppression. I don't know about you, but I have no interest in supporting tyranny and/or oppression. If someone is mandating "social justice" as instituted/controlled by the government, that's where I draw the line. If someone is telling me that I have to give up my freedom in order to promote "social justice," then I will politely say, "No thank you."

Words are rich with meaning and need to be used carefully. We must also be very cautious about the meaning of concepts such as "social justice." Make sure that you look closely at the motivations of those groups/organizations who are promoting it. Don't be fooled...