Alex Kollar

October 1, 2015
COMM 253
Social Change Reflection

I have never been one to jump into controversial conversations.

When topics like racism, homosexuality, or war are brought up I usually
do my best to stay out of the debate; Im really not comfortable with
conflict. Recently, however, after taking a few rhetoric classes and
simply living life in the real world, its clear to me that theres no such
thing as staying out of hot-topic discussion. Although I still am one to
shy away from conflict, I no longer see it as something to be afraid of.
What does this have to do with the question of social change? Well, as
a young Christian facing an ever darkening world, it means everything.

Let me start form the top: defining my understanding of social

change. In class, we talked about a shift in a societys cultural
beliefs and behaviors. One random example I can come up with right
now is our societal view of smoking cigarettes. When my parents were
growing up, smoking was considered completely ok and normal.
Nowadays it has become such a taboo, smokers are looked down upon.
This may not be the best example, with such other social movements
like civil rights and womens rights so often talked about, but for me,
the example of smoking is easy to understand. Smoking used to be
accepted but over the years, through programs, protests, and people
power, is no longer accepted. We went from a cigarette-friendly culture
to a non-smoking section culture.

So that brings us to the real questions: what roles do Christians

paly in social change? I had originally said in class that Paul was big
mover and shaker when it came to planting the early church and
spreading the teachings of Christ throughout the land. But I realize that
his movement was more of a change in doctrine rather than a change
in society. There were definitely shifts in society that came about as a
result of the doctoral changes, but I dont think those shifts were Pauls
original goals. In Matthew 5: 17 Jesus, Himself, says, Do not think that
I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to
abolish them but to fulfill them. He says plainly that He was not sent
to conquer or overthrow any law, but to teach and fulfill the promises
of the Old Testament. Jesus even paid taxes (Matthew 17: 24-27),
unlike our dear friend Thoreau.

That being said, I do agree with Thoreau when he wrote about

government. He said governments are easily corruptible and are
equally liable to be abused and perverted. I believe that Christians
are meant to obey the earthy law of this world, but have a healthy
weariness about easily power corrupts. Jesus instructed us to care for
the widows and orphans, so when a government or other entity
threatens the lives of those we are instructed to care for, we must take
action, whether its through marches, protests, self defense, or simple
raising awareness on social media.