Difference between revisions of "Justice"
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[[Image:Giotto - Scrovegni - -43- - Justice.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A personification of Justice, painted by [[Giotto]].]] | [[Image:Giotto - Scrovegni - -43- - Justice.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A personification of Justice, painted by [[Giotto]].]] | ||
| − | '''Justice''' is the attribute of fairness, especially in a [[court]] of law. The concept of justice is often misunderstood, being easily confused with retribution or punishment. The phrase "bring him to justice" means arresting a suspect, trying him, and having him sentenced; but it has also been | + | '''Justice''' is the attribute of fairness, especially in a [[court]] of law. The concept of justice is often misunderstood, being easily confused with retribution or punishment. The phrase "bring him to justice" means arresting a suspect, trying him, and having him sentenced; but it has also been misused to refer to [[lynching]]. |
Some people have slogan, "No justice, no peace" meaning that they will refuse to act peacefully until they receive justice. This, obviously, is the opposite of [[Gandhi]]'s philosophy of ''Satyagraha''. During the US [[Civil rights movement]], however, Martin Luther King implored his followers to follow Gandhi's idea of suffering injustice willingly as a means of eradicating evil. | Some people have slogan, "No justice, no peace" meaning that they will refuse to act peacefully until they receive justice. This, obviously, is the opposite of [[Gandhi]]'s philosophy of ''Satyagraha''. During the US [[Civil rights movement]], however, Martin Luther King implored his followers to follow Gandhi's idea of suffering injustice willingly as a means of eradicating evil. | ||
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Justice seen as confronting evil with evil - or "stripe with stripe" - is based on an idea of balance. One bad turn deserves another. In a way, this is an improvement on the ancient notion of unlimited revenge. Someone offends you, and you kill him (or him and his whole family, village, etc.) | Justice seen as confronting evil with evil - or "stripe with stripe" - is based on an idea of balance. One bad turn deserves another. In a way, this is an improvement on the ancient notion of unlimited revenge. Someone offends you, and you kill him (or him and his whole family, village, etc.) | ||
| − | When Moses received the [[Ten Commandments]] from God, along with the other 600 laws, the concept of retribution was cemented in the ancient Jewish understanding. To modern Christians, it may seem harsh, but it was actually better to have "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" which is equal retribution than unregulated vengeance. | + | When Moses received the [[Ten Commandments]] from God, along with the other 600 laws, the concept of retribution was cemented in the ancient Jewish understanding. To modern Christians, it may seem harsh, but it was actually better to have "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" which is equal retribution than unregulated [[vengeance]]. |
| − | + | The idea of justice and vengeance has predominated in history, and it even remains today in Christian America. | |
| − | + | == Bible verses on justice == | |
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.openbible.info/topics/justice Justice - Bible verses], Openbible.info | ||
== Justice in Christianity == | == Justice in Christianity == | ||
| + | |||
In [[Christian]] tradition, justice is one of the four cardinal [[virtue]]s. [[Biblical]]ly, justice is exemplified by just rulers such as King [[David]], although one does not have to be a ruler or judge in order to act justly. Anyone can display the virtue of justice during everyday life by, for example, avoiding [[prejudice]] and [[deceit]], behaving [[honor]]ably during business dealings, and speaking out against injustice where it occurs. | In [[Christian]] tradition, justice is one of the four cardinal [[virtue]]s. [[Biblical]]ly, justice is exemplified by just rulers such as King [[David]], although one does not have to be a ruler or judge in order to act justly. Anyone can display the virtue of justice during everyday life by, for example, avoiding [[prejudice]] and [[deceit]], behaving [[honor]]ably during business dealings, and speaking out against injustice where it occurs. | ||
| − | [[ | + | |
| + | === Articles on justice as a Christian virtue === | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.str.org/w/if-we-lose-the-meaning-of-justice-we-lose-the-gospel If We Lose the Meaning of “Justice,” We Lose the Gospel], Stand to Reason Ministry ([[Christian apologetics]] ministry) | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Catholic perspective:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/contributors/the-virtue-of-justice/ The Virtue of Justice], FR. Billy Swan | ||
| + | *[https://catholicgentleman.com/2013/08/the-cardinal-virtues-justice/ The Cardinal Virtues: Justice] | ||
| + | *[https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7750 The Virtue of Justice], Catholic Culture website | ||
| + | |||
| + | == God's judgment and sin == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''See also:'' [[Judgment (theology)]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | God's judgment, in [[religion|religious]] contexts, refers to the idea that God punishes people in a just manner concerning their [[sin]]s and that He will also eventually judge humanity as a whole. God judges people based on their actions, inactions, thoughts and [[belief]]s. The concept of God's just judgments is central to many religions - including [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], and [[Judaism]]. And it frequently involves the idea of a final judgment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Atheism and social justice]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Virtues}} | ||
| + | [[Category: Virtue]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
[[Category:Morality]] | [[Category:Morality]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:24, October 19, 2025
Justice is the attribute of fairness, especially in a court of law. The concept of justice is often misunderstood, being easily confused with retribution or punishment. The phrase "bring him to justice" means arresting a suspect, trying him, and having him sentenced; but it has also been misused to refer to lynching.
Some people have slogan, "No justice, no peace" meaning that they will refuse to act peacefully until they receive justice. This, obviously, is the opposite of Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha. During the US Civil rights movement, however, Martin Luther King implored his followers to follow Gandhi's idea of suffering injustice willingly as a means of eradicating evil.
Justice seen as confronting evil with evil - or "stripe with stripe" - is based on an idea of balance. One bad turn deserves another. In a way, this is an improvement on the ancient notion of unlimited revenge. Someone offends you, and you kill him (or him and his whole family, village, etc.)
When Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, along with the other 600 laws, the concept of retribution was cemented in the ancient Jewish understanding. To modern Christians, it may seem harsh, but it was actually better to have "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" which is equal retribution than unregulated vengeance.
The idea of justice and vengeance has predominated in history, and it even remains today in Christian America.
Bible verses on justice
- Justice - Bible verses, Openbible.info
Justice in Christianity
In Christian tradition, justice is one of the four cardinal virtues. Biblically, justice is exemplified by just rulers such as King David, although one does not have to be a ruler or judge in order to act justly. Anyone can display the virtue of justice during everyday life by, for example, avoiding prejudice and deceit, behaving honorably during business dealings, and speaking out against injustice where it occurs.
Articles on justice as a Christian virtue
- If We Lose the Meaning of âJustice,â We Lose the Gospel, Stand to Reason Ministry (Christian apologetics ministry)
Catholic perspective:
- The Virtue of Justice, FR. Billy Swan
- The Cardinal Virtues: Justice
- The Virtue of Justice, Catholic Culture website
God's judgment and sin
See also: Judgment (theology)
God's judgment, in religious contexts, refers to the idea that God punishes people in a just manner concerning their sins and that He will also eventually judge humanity as a whole. God judges people based on their actions, inactions, thoughts and beliefs. The concept of God's just judgments is central to many religions - including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. And it frequently involves the idea of a final judgment.