In 1971 an American philosopher named John Rawls published his book A Theory of Justice which changed the way we talk about justice. His basic premise, which seems so obvious to us today, is that justice is fairness. How often have we heard a child say, “that’s not fair.” Rawls posited the idea that a sense of justice, or fairness, is basic to human beings.
Over the past several weeks the U.S. Supreme court has issued a number of decisions that many of us have considered not fair in the sense that they have made us wonder what the sense of fairness is for certain lawyers and judges. Moreover, recent revelations about gifts and trips by certain Justices have made many of us question their impartiality on cases.
What’s fair about extravagant travel and fishing trips paid for by persons whose companies are before the Court? We question whether financial deals influence decisions or simply reflect them. The loss of faith Americans have in the Court indicates that we think the Court is not acting fairly but rather twisting old statutes to fit legal theories, not to mention financial interests.
Prayer for the Day
You created us, O God, as sentient beings
May we use our minds to think and question;
You gave us our hands as tools for work and play
May we use our hands for the good of your world;
Help us to live so we question injustice
And strive to establish your realm of justice on earth.
In the name of the One who calls us to question,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
I knew then and I know now that, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can't sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, 'This is not right.'
- Claudette Colvin, arrested at age 15, Montgomery, Alabama (now 83)