Virtue #3--justice

Let’s continue looking at the four virtues C.S. Lewis covered in Mere Christianity. Besides prudence and temperance, he indicated justice was considered a crucial component of virtue.

Lewis believes this is more than just courtroom outcomes. He sees it as more about fairness, honesty, and keeping promises. Of course, this broader definition will impact more of us on a daily basis.

Is America full of justice today? Whenever we call a crime “white collar,” we may be preparing to let someone off the hook in a criminal investigation, a situation which does not seem particularly fair. What about affirmative action? In many cases it is used as a form of reverse discrimination, so how is that improving our society when we replace one form of unfairness with another? Lying and deceit figure prominently in our songs, movies, television shows, and politicians. Just recently the governor of South Carolina was caught in a monstrous lie while he attempted to carry on an affair with an Argentinian woman. We all know about Bill Clinton’s aversion to telling the truth.

But look at the rest of us--not much better when it comes to justice. We make marriage promises, but a high percentage opt out later. We want special favors. We fill out tax forms in a "creative" manner. We cut corners at work. We feel better by saying all we told was a "white" lie. We promise to do something, only to wiggle out of it later.

It's depressing to realize all our shortcomings here. But at least we should be honest enough to recognize the problem and begin to be people who truly honor justice in an unjust world.