Categories: Shuzia Magazine,

By Winfred Mutitu

Christian advocacy for human rights and equality plays various roles in promoting dignity, compassion, and justice for every person. This type of advocacy is rooted in Christian teachings and principles emphasizing the inherent worth of everyone as God's creation. There are various reasons why Christian advocacy is important.

Here are some of those reasons:

Promoting social justice

Many Christian teachings emphasize social justice, including caring for the vulnerable and the marginalized. Proverbs 14:21, "Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." Christian advocacy aligns with these teachings, whereby they address systemic injustices.

Fighting discrimination

Christian advocacy seeks to dismantle discriminatory practices and attitudes that lead to inequality. They advocate for issues such as equal access to education and eradicating poverty.

Voicing moral concerns

Christian advocacy is a voice for moral issues. Christian advocacy influences policymakers to create policies around human rights and equality. Christian advocacy ensures that society considers the ethical implications of their actions.

Catalyst for change

Christian advocacy can catalyze positive change within the society. By mobilizing communities, raising awareness, and influencing important policies within society, they can contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Inspiring Stories of Christians Engaging in Political Lobbying to Promote Justice and Equality

Perhaps one of the most widely known Christians who advocated for the marginalized in society was Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was born in Macedonia in 1910. Mother Teresa's parents were of Albanian descent and lived a profoundly pious catholic life. When Mother Teresa was a child, her mother would invite the less privileged neighborhood to eat supper with them.

Mother Teresa's mother would tell the daughter, "All of them are our poor." Mother Teresa followed in her mother's footsteps, leading a compassionate and open attitude toward everyone. From the age of 12, Mother Teresa chose to devote her life to Catholicism. At 16, she became a nun and joined the Sisters of Loreto in Rathfarnham, Ireland. Mother Teresa was then sent to Darjeeling, India, where she became the principal of a charity school. While in India, Bengal province was struck by a famine which led to widespread illness, homelessness, and starvation.

In Bengal, Mother Teresa established an open-air school and a home for the dying. Mother Teresa died in 1997 at 87 after winning the hearts of many and carrying out numerous humanitarian work. Mother Teresa founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, which has continued to help people in need globally.

In the twenty-first century, there are numerous prominent Christian advocacies. One of them is Ron Snider, an evangelical social justice activist. Ron Snider died in 2022 after authoring various evangelical books and advocating social justice. Ron Snider authored a book, Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving From Affluence to Generosity. The book encouraged Christians to advocate for social justice by offering causes of hunger and poverty and practical solutions to Christians who want to pursue faith and seriously become better followers of Jesus Christ. Ron Snider founded the Christians for Social Action, a movement that aims to rally evangelicals and generally to support the common good. Ron Snider helped fight racism, sexism, economic inequality, and materialism.

Other Christian Lobbyists are Jenny Yang and Matthew Soerens, who provide a Christian response to immigration.

The two have authored a book, Welcoming The Stranger, which responds to the most complicated issues of the time. In the book, the two talk about the true stories of immigrants in and out of the system. The authors discuss the myths and misconceptions about immigrants in and out of the system.

Advocating for equality and social justice should be the responsibility of every Christian. The life and actions of Christians should exhibit Christian advocacy. Exercising the greatest commandment, Love, should be the goal of every Christian. We can advocate against injustices and promote a fair world by loving each other and being kind towards everyone.