2 (Do's Vs. Do Not's Reading)

This section is titled, "Do versus Do Not." What does that mean? AND Who were the Liberation Theologists? What is the historical shift represented by these people?

"Religion became a set of beliefs that followers needed to embody by what they did, not what they did not do." In other words, religion went from being rules to beliefs, and more of guidelines, than something super forced. Followers embodied these beliefs meaning they carried them at all times. If you chose to embody the beliefs of your certain religion, than you stuck with it and referred to your beliefs in everything you did. One would carry the values and the roots of the religion and use them with what they did do, not with the bad things that they did not to.

Additionally, the liberation theologists were a group of religious believers who adamantly believed that voicing and advocating social justice and equality whenever possible was vital and always necessary. Located mostly in South America, the Liberation Theologists also strongly believed that the rich and the poor should be equal, especially the poor should be granted more power and more opportunities. The Liberation Theologists were not asking for power, but rather they preached unity and pure humanity. To execute their goals they battled and questioned the government, they gained followers, and they spoke up. No matter what their personal position in society was, they stood up for the minority, and stuck to what they believed in. Like many individuals and also groups in the 20th century, the Liberation Theologists used religion as motivation and determination. The historical shift represented by these people was basically shifting from religion used as a way to gain and maintain power, to the idea of continuing, developing, and implementing social justice.

This idea of do versus do not, was basically turning a negative into a positive. Instead of saying don't do this and don't do that, religion was shifting towards something where people did do this and should do that. Religion went from being a list of rules, to enforcing power through morality and truly good people. For example, Gandhi believed that actions guide religion, not strictly belief systems. Also some people disagreed, like mentioned in the reading as history changes, the role of religion will continue to change. The "Do vs. Do Not" is still unfolding itself today, and people with various views on the significance of religion, have a drastically different view on life.