Perspectief 2013-21

2013-21 Christian Social Ethics in An Economy of Life, Justice and Peace for All (2013) 47 R eageer 8 Is there a misunderstanding of capitalism and liberalism's quest for freedom? Churches and theologians of all denominations nowadays seem to have difficulties with trusting human freedom as it functions in public life. Of course, religious freedom is being embraced, because it guarantees the freedom of religions to deploy their life, to express convictions and to participate in social life. But economic and political liberalism can do no good according to the Churches, it seems. Also in the Agape Document , market economy is treated as if it is paving a way to hell. But is it not the case that there are different types of market economy, and that to any vital economy private property and the right to start up a private enterprise are essential natural rights? This is what the 19 th century Christian social ethics of the leading denominations were pleading for, against state based property as in Marxism, Communism, Socialism. In the19th century, churches – or their leaders – had the conviction that liberalism could and should be corrected – and that is was a fruitful way to build up economic and political alliances with economic and political liberalism, especially with social liberals. The Agape document seems to have lost its memory in this respect. Or am I wrong and does it not oppose to all kinds of market economies and types of political liberalism? Freedom can and should be supported, pursued and put into prac- tice – but churches can and should plea for a proper socially just use of it – by presenting its relevance for the bonum commune, and by urging principles and values that lead it to this general wellbeing. Of course, Christianity will not plead for a wild west type of capi- talism or a type of liberalism that excludes solidarity and the public functioning of value based communities. But does that imply a rejection of economic and political freedom? I think not. 9 Equality as an economic value: equality as moral dignity (starting point), equality as equality of legal rights, equality of chances and/or equality of outcomes ? The same goes for an ethical reflection on equality. The Agape document reaffirms human dignity as a value, based upon God's creation of humankind 63 . Of course, any Christian 63 See the Agape document, nr. 22