Dorothy Day

A detailed Summary of Dorothy Day

Dorothy Day and Her Controversial Views

Dorothy Day was a very compassionate women. She has made many contributions to our society though she could be considered a socialist and a pacifist. Her views on Christianity were to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." According to Day, as Christians and children of God, we should all be called to treat the poor as one of us, even though they might not deserve what they get. Many people feel that the poor are that way only because they choose it for themselves, through alcohol abuse or drug addiction. However, Day says that we all are children of God and we should all get the same necessities of life no matter where we stand financially. We should welcome the homeless into our homes and have "Christ Rooms" for them. But, why would people let a homeless person into their homes when they don't know if these indigents are murders, stealers, liars, etc.? Many people ask themselves that same question, and therefore don't go along with Day's views.

There are some misconceptions about poverty. Some look at poverty as the result of broken homes, generally when there is no father figure.

In response to such questions, Day, with the help of a former Christian brother, Peter Maurin, started "The Catholic Worker". This radical newsletter was "made to publicize Catholic social teaching and promote steps to bring about the peaceful transformation of society". "The Catholic Worker" also expressed the idea of pacifism, and the refusal to take either side in war. This caused a great loss of readership at the time of the Spanish Civil War when most Catholic bishops supported Franco and his fascist ways. Day was totally against war and everything having to do with war including the nuclear bomb. However, again some of her supporters did not agree with her pacifism, especially after the United States entry into World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As a result, fifteen of the houses supporting the Day's works of mercy closed. She and her followers were jailed many times in protesting New York's annual civil defense drill. She did not want to be "drilled into fear" for she totally depended upon her faith in God. Years later, many of her workers were jailed for refusing to be drafted in the service during the Vietnam War.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Day Christians, Dorothy Day, Catholic Worker, Dorothy Day's, Pearl Harbor, War Catholic, dorothy day, War II, Peter Maurin, catholic worker, farm workers, help poor, civil rights, children god,

Approximate Word count = 785
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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Dorothy Day

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