Justice and Religious Traditions

Paper Summary:

This paper refers to writings by Khaled Abou El Fadl, Rene Trujillo and Martin Luther King Jr., which refer to concepts of justice that connect to religious traditions. The paper shows how in the 21st century, organized religions cannot be hoped to produce a steward of justice for all. The paper explains, however, that religious traditions and concepts can inspire attempts to discuss what a government should be, what laws are meant to put in place, what they should seek to avoid and how they can be viewed differently across different cultures.

Outline:
Introduction
Islam and Democracy
Rene Trujillo - Human Rights & the 'Age of Discovery'
Martin Luther King, Jr. - Letter from Birmingham Jail
Concluding Discussion

From the Paper:

"Khaled About El Fadl writes like an ambassador between Muslim history and tradition addressing justice and a contemporary world that needs to understand more of this 'foreign' tradition. (2004) His chapter opens by describing how, centuries ago, a Muslim jurist would point out that there were three kinds of political systems in the natural or primitive state of nature, a place of anarchy and the abuse of power. A second system would involve custom by which tribal elders told what should be upheld or obeyed as would work as long as an elder had sufficient power, or a prince or king who might direct others by decree. A third development has been the caliphate of Shari'ah law, a body of Muslim religious law based on the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet. (2004: 130-131) A conservative Muslim jurist of today may still argue that Shari'ah fulfills all criteria of justice and legitimacy, laying out the duties of governors and the governed, the law taking the lead ahead of the arbitrary authority of one human being over another. (2004: 131)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• About El Fadl, Khaled. (2004). "Islam and Democracy," in Islam and the Challenge of Democracy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (excerpt from course text).
• King, Martin Luther. (1963). "Letter from Birmingham Jail," from Why We Can't Wait. NY, from the Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr, Writers House. (excerpt from course text.)
• Trujillo, Rene. (2004). "Human Rights in the Age of Discovery," from Social Justice in a Diverse Society. Eds. Rita C. Manning and Rene Trujillo. (excerpt from course text).

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• Comparison Essay # 145875 : "Justice Systems around the Globe"

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