American Individualism Is Destroying the Soul

I am very mindful of Dante’s words: "The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis."

Coming together from all streams of American Christianity to speak in opposition to cuts on the safety-net programs is no minor achievement. We have a widespread consensus on the priority of providing essential life saving support to poor people in our country. We also agree in that the ultimate goal is to create a just society in which everyone live an abundant life that includes meaningful work with fair salaries, affordable health care and education, and time for leisure and recreation.

In order to achieve this, our political leaders must renounce rigid political ideologies. These ideologies are destroying the fabric of our nation and the hopes of our people. As disciples of Jesus, we will continually call our elected leaders to reject all allegiances to groups or corporations that do not advocate and serve the majority of Americans.

We have gone astray for too long from life in community. The prevailing immoral American individualism is destroying the soul, common decency, and the kindness of our people.

In this frantic pursuit of riches and power, we are trampling our neighbors. The few are denying the masses of a future, of their dignity.

Proverbs: 22:22-23:

Do not rob the poor because he is poor,

neither oppress the afflicted;

for the Lord will plead their cause,

and spoil the soul of those who spoiled them.

Algunos de los que han hablado previamente han mencionado lo que es obvio, los que van a sufrir en una forma desproporsionada los efectos de recortes en programas de asistencia social son los latinos, Africo-Americanos, nativos Americanos y Americano blancos de bajos recursos.

We are here because we believe in a different world. We believe in a world where all have life in abundance. We are here because we cannot accept a federal budget that steals from the poor in order to increase the coffers of the powerful; a budget that enshrines war and tramples the poor.

God is calling men and women from all walks of life, including President Donald Trump and the U.S. Congress to "see that justice is done, and let mercy be our first concern.”