LIBERATION THEOLOGY

     Liberation Theology is a betrayal of true theology.  Bishop Hoyos, in Latin America, where the practice of this viral idea became so strong, said, about 20 years ago, "When I see a church with a machine gun, I cannot see the crucified Christ in that church. We can never use hate as a system of change. The core of being a church is love."

     This twisted theology began in Europe with writings of certain theologians. They suggested that the church must be society-transforming, not just a church of personal salvation.  There have come about three main liberation theologies: Latin American, where the poor, exploited by rich, capitalist nations, must rise up; Black liberation theology, which holds that blacks must rise up against racist whites (think Jeremiah Wright); Feminist liberation theology, which pushes women to rise up against a male-dominated society.

     The trouble with all of these is that these theologies try to make the church secular rather than spiritual. They are wrong-headed and condemned by the Catholic Church, in which the Latin American branch of libertion theology took such a strong hold. Whole orders of religious succumbed to it.

     Marxism is a strong influence with the libertion theologians.  According to Marx, man needs a simple state to be happy. Capitalism leads to class exploitation, and man can not be happy. Liberation Theology is supposed to be transforming, as Marxism is transforming. The dialectic materialism theory is that as times change, methodologies must change. As humanity changes so should religion. This is a problem of relativism that infects the Church today. Modernism (relativism) dictates that timeless truths of doctrine should sway with the winds of historical change.

     Sin is seen as a social, historical fact. Those who are oppressed can sin by accepting bondage. Resistance is necessary, even using violence to overthrow that bondage. They even use Christ as an example, not of salvation of the individual, but that He was poor and struggling and upset the religious and political structures of His time, not that He was God.

     People are supposed to read the Bible (according to these theologians) with a pre-conceived idea that there is a bias for the poor throughout. Interpretation is in the mind of the reader, thinking of current situations. They ignore that fact that both poor and rich are equal in the need for salvation. God has a special concern for the poor, and what I previously wrote about Social Justice covers that. But Romans 3:23 says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Luke 7:22 treats of salvation to the poor. Luke 5:32; 10:1-10, notes that the same message is for the rich.

     Marxist guerillas have caused havoc in Colombia and have spread. Philippine priests and nuns have become involved in a Marxist-Leninist orgainization. Pope John Paul II looked to establish  a balanced activism for Catholic clergy, seeing the necessity of Social Justice, but warning that they should beware becoming enamored of these false doctrines. "...while the church seeks the political, social and economic liberation of the downtrodden, its primary goal is the spiritual one of liberation from evil. "

     Communists began a full court press infiltration of  the Catholic Church  early in the 20th century, with the aim of destroying it from within. Bella Dodd, well-known communist activist, was converted to Catholicism by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  She has written much about the methods and goals of communism. Seminaries were a prime target. Communists managed to become superiors, took in homosexuals (which has been a cause of the scandals in recent church history), even turning away young men with true vocations or causing them to leave because of ridicule and the blatant same-sex activity.  This has been destructive to the liturgy, as well. The Church is divided today because her people have been ill-taught about their Faith. Even many of those entering religious life today, are not knowledgeable enough to refute the errors that have taken hold. Marxists have been responsible for promoting Liberation Theology and so many more dissentions within the Church. Add to the communists, the work of freemasonry, also at work within the Church.

     Liberation Theology- Latin American, Black and Feminist -has managed to cause strife however it is interpreted and for whatever section of society. It is not just a Catholic Church problem, as you see; but it was spread most rapidly through the Church in Latin America.   You might equate what is going on now with the protests on Wall Street and around the country with the Liberation Theology concept. It fits.

     There is a lot more to Libertion Theology, but this will suffice, I think.  I plan to write something about TRUE "liberating" theology, as being conducted in Mexico, Africa and Latin America at present.

10/11/11