Religious Activism on the Left? Fighting for Jobs

Mention religious activism, and many of us think of political efforts to criminalize abortion, repeal same-sex marriage, and more recently, connecting God and guns.

Less noticed—but likely to become more visible— are ministers, rabbis, and imams who advocate for marginalized workers. 

Today, The Center for American Progress is hosting a program, Fighting for Jobs and Justice: The Way Forward. See here for more info. One speaker is Rabbi Jonah Pesner. 

Here are snapshots from three religious perspectives on labor. 

JEWISH: By Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner

"Too often, Jewish activists have not found a home in synagogues. They choose to engage in their efforts for social and economic justice outside the congregational setting, if they belong to one at all. Conversely, many synagogues have not been able to attract the interest, involvement, and activism of a significant portion of the American Jewish community. The single biggest movement of Judaism is the `unaffiliated.' And yet, a significant element of the emerging Jewish social justice movement is coming from synagogues, as Jewish congregations reinvent themselves." Click here for the Facebook page for the Jewish Labor Committee. 

CATHOLIC: Catholic priests have been similarly active. In the picture above, police arrested Father Andrew Switzer, a West Virginia priest and the son of coal miners, during a Mine Workers rally to save pensions and health care. For more on “Labor Priests,” click here and read.  

MUSLIM: Read about “The Qur’an and Worker Justice,”available here. This group says that the “Muslim community and the labor movement share the common goals of social justice, economic fairness, and fair treatment in the workplace. In fact, the history of Islam is rooted in a firm stand against economic exploitation. When Prophet Muhammad ibn (son of) Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with Him, began teaching Islam in Mecca, it shook up an unjust economic structure that allowed the rich to take advantage of the poor. Before Prophet Muhammad departed, he left behind The Holy Qur'an, a book filled with guidance on how men and women should treat each other in various situations, including the workplace.”