Editing Christian left (section)

== Terminology ==
As with any section within the [[left–right political spectrum]], a label such as ''Christian left'' represents an approximation, including within it groups and persons holding many diverse viewpoints. The term left-wing might encompass a number of values, some of which may or may not be held by different Christian movements and individuals. As the unofficial title of a loose association of believers, it provides a clear distinction from the more commonly known [[Christian right]], or religious right, and from its key leaders and political views. The Christian left does not hold the notion that left-leaning policies, whether economic or social, stand in apparent contrast to Christian beliefs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Anthony A. J. |title=The Christian Left: an introduction to christian socialism |date=2022 |publisher=Polity Press |isbn=978-1-5095-4281-9 |location=Newark}}</ref>

The most common religious viewpoint that might be described as [[left-wing]] is [[social justice]], or care for impoverished and oppressed [[minority groups]]. Supporters of this trend might encourage [[universal health care]], [[welfare spending|welfare]] provisions, subsidized education, [[foreign aid]], and [[affirmative action]] for improving the conditions of the disadvantaged. With values stemming from [[egalitarianism]], adherents of the Christian left consider it part of their religious duty to take actions on behalf of the oppressed. [[The Sheep and the Goats|Matthew 25:31–46]], among other verses, is often cited to support this view. As nearly all major religions contain the concept of a [[Golden Rule]] as a requirement to [[Golden Rule|help others]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=The "Golden Rule" (a.k.a. Ethics of Reciprocity) |url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc2.htm |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> adherents of various religions have cited social justice as a movement in line with their faith.<ref>Leilah Danielson, Marian Mollin, Doug Rossinow, ''The Religious Left in Modern America: Doorkeepers of a Radical Faith'', Springer, USA, 2018, p. 27</ref> The term ''social justice'' was coined in the 1840s by [[Luigi Taparelli]], an Italian Catholic scholar of the [[Society of Jesus]], who was inspired by the writings of [[Thomas Aquinas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The FAQs: What Christians Should Know About Social Justice |date=17 August 2018 |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/faqs-christians-know-social-justice/ |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref> The Christian left holds that social justice, renunciation of power, humility, forgiveness, and private observation of prayer (as in {{bibleverse|Matthew|6:5–6|WEB}}) as opposed to publicly mandated prayer, are mandated by the [[Gospel]]. The Bible contains accounts of Jesus repeatedly advocating for the poor and outcast over the wealthy, powerful, and religious. The Christian left maintains that such a stance is relevant and important. Adhering to the standard of "[[turning the other cheek]]", which they believe supersedes the [[Old Testament]] law of "[[an eye for an eye]]", the Christian left sometimes hearkens towards [[pacifism]] in opposition to policies advancing [[militarism]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Damon |first1=Linker |title=Why Christianity demands pacifism |website=[[The Week]] |date=31 March 2014 |url=https://theweek.com/articles/448578/why-christianity-demands-pacifism |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>

The medieval [[Waldensians]] sect had a leftist character.<ref name="von Kuehnelt-Leddihn 1974 p. ">{{cite book | last=von Kuehnelt-Leddihn | first=E. | title=Leftism: from de Sade and Marx to Hitler and Marcuse | publisher=Arlington House | year=1974 | isbn=978-0-87000-143-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFGFAAAAMAAJ&q=%22waldensians%22+%22leftist%22 | access-date=2023-04-01 }}</ref> Some among the Christian left,<ref>{{cite book | last=Cort | first=John C. | title=Christian Socialism | publisher=Orbis Books | publication-place=Maryknoll, NY | date=1988 | isbn=0-88344-574-3 | page=32}}</ref> as well as some non-religious socialists, find support for [[Christian anarchism|anarchism]], [[Christian communism|communism]], and [[Christian socialism|socialism]] in the Gospels, for example [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] citing [[Jesus]] as "the first socialist".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mikhail_s_gorbachev.html |publisher=Brainyquote.com |title=Mikhail S. Gorbachev Quotes |access-date=23 February 2007}}</ref> The Christian left is a broad category that includes Christian socialism, as well as Christians who would not identify themselves as socialists.<ref name=":0" />