Recent years in the United States have seen the growth of more politically left movements in various religious denominations. Some of this is driven by liberals and progressives who are reacting to the rise of the religious right and its influence on religion, culture and politics. The new politically left religious movement are also driven by people interested in focusing on the social justice themes that have been long present in their religions.

The Mormon Worker

#4 - July 2008
(140 West Oak Circle, Woodland Hills, UT 84653, www.themormonworker.org)

Recent years in the United States have seen the growth of more politically left movements in various religious denominations. Some of this is driven by liberals and progressives who are reacting to the rise of the religious right and its influence on religion, culture and politics. The new politically left religious movement are also driven by people interested in focusing on the social justice themes that have been long present in their religions.

The Catholic Worker Movement has been active for around 75 years. Founded by Dorothy Day and other Catholic activists, the movement has promoted the idea that Christians should prioritize social justice. Mormon Worker is a new publication published by secular and religious Mormons with a philosophy similar to the Catholic Worker Movement. Each issue includes features that tie the Mormon faith to contemporary social and political issues.

This issue includes an interview with Stanley Haurwas, who is a United Methodist theologian and professor at Duke Divinity School. Haurwas talks at length about why Christians should be engaged in efforts to stop the current U.S. wars and how it relates to the struggles to end slavery. In “”, Gregory VanWagenen provides a history of May Day, the international holiday for working people. Stephen Wellington looks at the possible motivations for a U.S./Israel attack on Iran in “Why Would We Go To War With Iran?” and focuses on petrodollars as one underlying reason. Wellington explains how the U.S. developed petrodollars in the Middle East and Iraq's decision to sell petroleum in Euros was a reason for the current U.S. war against Iraq. An article by William Van Wagenen outlines how the U.S. has fanned the flames of the civil war in Iraq. Abdullah Mulhim writes a letter to the next U.S. president, asking him to change U.S. policies towards Arabs and the Middle East. The issue also includes foreign policy articles by Noam Chomsky, Norman G. Finkelstein and Ron Madson.

Each issue of Mormon Worker includes essays on topics aside from U.S. foreign policy and politics. Emily Bushman relates her personal concerns as a mother about the environmental effects of paper towels. In “What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus Christ Today?”, Cory Bushman writes about the Sermon on the Mount and what a meaningful life entails. Bushman includes material from Kurt Vonnegut, Leo Tolstoy, the Book of Mormon, and a story about the Christmas Emma Goldman spent at the U.S. prison in Jefferson City, Missouri. Jeremy Cloward is an anarchist and devout Mormon. In his column he explains his political journey from pro-Reagan Republican to anarchist. His column also includes a review of the Levellers, the English folk-punk group. Jason Brown reviews “Community and Cooperation among the Mormons” by Leonard Arrington.

Issues are available on paper and PDF.

Reviewed by Karen Elliott.