While most of my group members discussed
the specific efforts of the Church in the war against the drug trade, I am
going to take a different approach by discussing the basic principles of the
Catholic faith that motivated such action to be taken, and how advocating these
principles can decrease the influence of the drug trade in Colombia. The most
effective way the Church can work toward eliminating drug trade in Colombia is
by changing the views people have toward it, which can be done by advocating the
themes of Catholic Social Teaching. The themes of Catholic Social Teaching are
the fundamentals of the Catholic faith that can change the thinking, and as a
result, the course, of the drug trade. By raising awareness to these themes,
the immoral nature of the drug trade will be revealed, and, since the country
is predominantly Catholic, the Church will gain many supporters in their
efforts to end the drug war. While the Church actively participates in the
"war" on drugs by opposing it, as seen through the work of the
Catholic Relief Service, there will not be a long lasting change in the course
of the drug trade, without the minds of the people of society changing
permanently (Colombia). A new way of thinking must exist and the Church can
create this by advocating the principles of their faith.
Catholic Social Teaching calls for the
dignity of work. According to the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
members of society should participate in dignified work that preserves God's
creation (Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching). Dignified work is work
that benefits all aspects of society and allows the individual to reach his or
her potential. Contrary to this teaching, working in the drug industry does not
benefit society as a whole, for it produces many effects that actually hinder
its success. By advocating and incorporating this idea, and working toward
bettering the economy, which bishops believe should be conducive to providing
people with "good" work, the Church can make even greater strides in
the war against the drug trade. Therefore, through advocating the most
fundamental themes within the Catholic faith, and as a result, changing the
thinking of members of society and raising awareness to the need for change,
the Church can become one step closer in ending the drug trade permanently.
"Colombia."
Catholic Relief Services. CRS, 2012. Web. 13 May 2012. http://crs.org/countries/colombia.
While it is correct to speak of the ideals of the Church, I think that it is very naive to believe that just because people change their view that things will change. The facts are that there are many people in Colombia that do believe in the Catholic faith and are against the drug trade wholeheartedly. It is also true that many of these same people are being murdered in cold blood simply because they are not assets to the drug trading world and are against it. These people, as well as the Church, have to live in fear because they are seen as the enemy.
ReplyDelete"Christian Persecution in Latin America?" Ways of Life. Web. 13 May 2012.
I agree that raising awareness about all the evils of the drug trade is an effective way of attacking this problem, I disagree that trying to change peoples beliefs will be very effective. The church must attack to heart of the problem, which is the economy. The church needs to raise awareness and try to get support for the people in need. The money used for military defense and surveillance should be used to help those in dire need and try to recover the economy, to create more jobs for those who are forced to grow Coca or trade drugs for to support themselves and their families.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your alternate approach to discussing the Colombian drug trade problem using the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. I agree with wqhat you are saying about changing the minds of the Colombian people. An organization that partners with Catholic Relief Servies, Caritas, is attempting to do this with their project, “Peace is Possible.” This campaign attempts to instill in the minds of Colombians a sense of hope and the prospect of a positive future. However, this process will be very gradual. In the meantime, direct aid needs to be given to victims of the conflict who are suffering. Caritas also provides shelter and basic necessities to those displaced or victimized by the conflict and violence in Colombia. This principle goes along with another theme of Catholic Social Teaching that I think you should have included, which is the right and dignity of the human person. However, I think your comparison of the theme of the Dignity of Work to help in stopping the drug trade is excellent, because it exactly applies to workers laboring in the drug trade.
ReplyDeleteAlternate approach? Isn't this the question that was posed to you that only Danielle chose to respond to directly?
DeleteReading all of these comments really helped in my development of a better idea on how the Church can work toward solving the drug problem in Colombia. While it is understandable that Diandra and Maciek disagree that simply changing people's views in society would be very effective, I still believe it is a good step in the right direction. Maciek highlighted a very important point, that my post only briefly touched upon, that is, the key to eliminating the drug problem in Colombia permanently lies in the restoration of the economy. Maciek's point about taking the money for surveillance and military equipment and putting it toward creating more jobs, which is a huge problem that allowed for the rise of the drug trade to begin with, and toward providing relief for those affected by the trade, is an excellent suggestion. I agree with Sarah's comment that this process will be very gradual, but as she stated, steps can be taken to provide immediate relief and aid. Sarah's inclusion of the Caritas project was excellent, for it highlighted one of the many ways the Church is trying to alleviate some of the damage this trade has left civilians with.
ReplyDelete