Will changed laws and government policies make a difference anyway?

Sometimes not. Yet Christians are called to be faithful, whether or not their actions result in movement toward justice.

Ultimately, the effects of laws and policies depend on the good will and consent of individuals. Racial harmony did not immediately happen when laws abolished slavery. But those laws were an important first step on which we continue to build today.

In many cases changed laws and policies do make a difference. Re-directing government funds from military spending to job training and rebuilding urban communities can improve the lives of poor people. When North American governments work for a negotiated end to a war rather than supplying arms to one side or another, movement begins toward ending the suffering of those caught in the conflict. Cambodia, El Salvador and Angola are examples from recent years.