Religious Foundations Religious Foundations of Responsibility to the of Responsibility to the

World’s PoorWorld’s Poor

Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown UniversityEthics and Global DevelopmentEthics and Global Development

February 6, 2006February 6, 2006Katherine MarshallKatherine Marshall

Questions for this Questions for this session:session:• How have different religious How have different religious

traditions looked at the traditions looked at the problems of poverty and equity?problems of poverty and equity?

• What is the significance of both What is the significance of both common ground and differences, common ground and differences, among faith traditions and with among faith traditions and with secular worlds, for contemporary secular worlds, for contemporary challenges?challenges?

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

• Caveats and backgroundCaveats and background• Ancient realitiesAncient realities• ““Ancient wisdom”Ancient wisdom”• Modern RealitiesModern Realities• ““Modern wisdom”Modern wisdom”• Some of the Complexities…Some of the Complexities…• Where to?Where to?

CaveatsCaveats• Religion and faith: huge complex worldsReligion and faith: huge complex worlds• Terminology: religion, faith, spiritualityTerminology: religion, faith, spirituality• Ethics and values can be added to the mixEthics and values can be added to the mix• Religion and culture: IntertwinedReligion and culture: Intertwined• Development, also a huge and complex Development, also a huge and complex

world of institutions and ideas, in flux, world of institutions and ideas, in flux, much introspection and vastly different much introspection and vastly different conclusions and perspectivesconclusions and perspectives

• My perspective: a practitioner, strong My perspective: a practitioner, strong interdisciplinary focus, rooted in interdisciplinary focus, rooted in development practice, focus on some development practice, focus on some regionsregions

Pew Forum Survey,2003Pew Forum Survey,2003Views on Views on Religion, Religion, Politics, Politics,

and Public Policyand Public Policy

Poverty in HistoryPoverty in History• Vast majority of people were poor over Vast majority of people were poor over

history: short lives, limited education, health history: short lives, limited education, health challenges, poor nutrition, limited challenges, poor nutrition, limited possessions, limited mobilitypossessions, limited mobility

• There was an assumption that poverty was a There was an assumption that poverty was a normal, permanent conditionnormal, permanent condition

• Religious traditions brought differing Religious traditions brought differing perspectives to the issues; some were perspectives to the issues; some were deeply imbued with compassion, others less deeply imbued with compassion, others less soso

• They were also in practice deeply involved, They were also in practice deeply involved, in normal times and in crises, in addressing in normal times and in crises, in addressing issues of poor in communityissues of poor in community

Religious Traditions and Religious Traditions and PovertyPoverty• Approaches to the poor are embedded Approaches to the poor are embedded

in many religious traditionsin many religious traditions• Explanations of why some were rich, Explanations of why some were rich,

why others were poorwhy others were poor• Requirements on rich: tithing, ZakatRequirements on rich: tithing, Zakat• Care for the poor by individuals, ordersCare for the poor by individuals, orders• Responsibility for those within or Responsibility for those within or

outside the community? Treatment of outside the community? Treatment of strangersstrangers

• Attitudes towards work involvedAttitudes towards work involved• Fine distinctions: the “deserving” poorFine distinctions: the “deserving” poor

Christianity: Much recent Christianity: Much recent reflection on traditions and reflection on traditions and

teachings about povertyteachings about poverty• 2000+ references in the New Testament to 2000+ references in the New Testament to

povertypoverty• Parables and teachings plus church historyParables and teachings plus church history• Ambiguity about wealth, social structures Ambiguity about wealth, social structures

and statusand status• The Parable of the Good Samaritan: The Parable of the Good Samaritan:

ancient wisdom: the stranger, ask no ancient wisdom: the stranger, ask no questions; warmth, support and healing; questions; warmth, support and healing; get him back on his feet, fully integrated get him back on his feet, fully integrated in lifein life

JudaismJudaism• Obligations and Law deeply Obligations and Law deeply

embeddedembedded• Compassion for those who could Compassion for those who could

not help themselvesnot help themselves• Care of strangers, linked to Care of strangers, linked to

desert conditions of Middle Eastdesert conditions of Middle East• Charity and almsgivingCharity and almsgiving• Jubilee traditionsJubilee traditions

Maimonides (1135-1204): 8 Maimonides (1135-1204): 8 Ways of Giving (each Ways of Giving (each progressively more progressively more commendable)commendable)1) giving sadly; 1) giving sadly; 2) giving less than needed, but gladly; 2) giving less than needed, but gladly; 3) giving after being asked; 3) giving after being asked; 4) giving without being asked; 4) giving without being asked; 5) giving without knowing who the recipient is; 5) giving without knowing who the recipient is; 6) giving without the recipient knowing who 6) giving without the recipient knowing who

gave; gave; 7) giving with neither the recipient or giver 7) giving with neither the recipient or giver

knowing who the other is; knowing who the other is; 8) helping the poor establish their 8) helping the poor establish their

independence by loan, hiring them to work, independence by loan, hiring them to work, or teaching them a trade. or teaching them a trade.

IslamIslam• The basic principles of sharingThe basic principles of sharing• Third pillar of Islam is the giving of Third pillar of Islam is the giving of

alms (Zakat)alms (Zakat)• Sincere spirit of generosity is called Sincere spirit of generosity is called

forfor• Islamic finance: basic principle of Islamic finance: basic principle of

investing, sharing benefits and investing, sharing benefits and losseslosses

• Ideals of poverty in some parts of Ideals of poverty in some parts of Moslem world (sufi orders)Moslem world (sufi orders)

Other Faith TraditionsOther Faith Traditions• Buddhism: core value of Buddhism: core value of

compassion and loving kindnesscompassion and loving kindness• Recognition that abject poverty Recognition that abject poverty

undermines themundermines them• Complex traditions on Complex traditions on

reincarnation in some faithsreincarnation in some faiths• Traditions on slaveryTraditions on slavery• Role of womenRole of women

““Modern Realities”Modern Realities”• Phenomenal changes in past 200 yearsPhenomenal changes in past 200 years• Population, wealth, educational attainmentPopulation, wealth, educational attainment• Three modern realitiesThree modern realities• Very different structures and significance of wealth Very different structures and significance of wealth

and povertyand poverty• Huge potential for changeHuge potential for change• Huge challenges of poverty remain: 1.1 billion Huge challenges of poverty remain: 1.1 billion

under $1 a day (one fifth of the world’s population); under $1 a day (one fifth of the world’s population); 2.7 billion less than $2 a day; 8,000 die each day of 2.7 billion less than $2 a day; 8,000 die each day of HIV/AIDS, 30,000 children die each dayHIV/AIDS, 30,000 children die each day

• The Millennium Development Goals: origins and The Millennium Development Goals: origins and significancesignificance

• HIV/AIDS a microcosm of scandal of povertyHIV/AIDS a microcosm of scandal of poverty

Modern ChallengesModern Challenges• Bono: Fight “Stupid poverty”Bono: Fight “Stupid poverty”• Africa: shall we stand around when there is Africa: shall we stand around when there is

a brush fire with watering cans?a brush fire with watering cans?• Give a man (or woman) a fishing pole, teach Give a man (or woman) a fishing pole, teach

them to fish, and teach them to sell fishthem to fish, and teach them to sell fish• Our generation can be the first to end Our generation can be the first to end

povertypoverty• The One Campaign, Jubilee, the Year of The One Campaign, Jubilee, the Year of

developmentdevelopment• It’s about mobilization, about action, and It’s about mobilization, about action, and

about a long-lasting marathonabout a long-lasting marathon

““Modern Wisdom”: How are Modern Wisdom”: How are religious traditions addressing religious traditions addressing

these issues?these issues?• Experience of the World Faiths Experience of the World Faiths

Development Dialogue: Effort to define Development Dialogue: Effort to define common ground in concern about common ground in concern about poverty, among faiths and with secular poverty, among faiths and with secular development institutionsdevelopment institutions

• Much common ground (Hans Kung)Much common ground (Hans Kung)• Major roles of faith institutions in Major roles of faith institutions in

mobilization for social justice: civil rights, mobilization for social justice: civil rights, apartheid, Jubilee 2000, 2005 Year of apartheid, Jubilee 2000, 2005 Year of DevelopmentDevelopment

• Significant tensions to overcome (“Lead Significant tensions to overcome (“Lead us not into Temptation”us not into Temptation”

Faith Institutions and Global Faith Institutions and Global PovertyPoverty

• Major and understated role in social Major and understated role in social action: health, education, social safety action: health, education, social safety nets, disaster relief, conflict situationsnets, disaster relief, conflict situations

• Practical advocatesPractical advocates• Expressing voices of poor communitiesExpressing voices of poor communities• Catholic Social teaching, preferential Catholic Social teaching, preferential

option for the pooroption for the poor• Human Dignity and God-given potentialHuman Dignity and God-given potential• Helping to deal with complexitiesHelping to deal with complexities

Faith Institutions and Faith Institutions and PovertyPoverty• Many different forms:Many different forms:• Churches, mosques, templesChurches, mosques, temples• Church communitiesChurch communities• Faith NGOsFaith NGOs• Movements Orders (major roles in Movements Orders (major roles in

education, HIV/AIDS)education, HIV/AIDS)• Interfaith organizations: WCRP, URI, Interfaith organizations: WCRP, URI,

World Parliament of the Religions, World Parliament of the Religions, Sant’Egidio “Prayer for Peace”Sant’Egidio “Prayer for Peace”

Potential for Action is Potential for Action is EnormousEnormous• Faith leadership Faith leadership • Advocacy and pressureAdvocacy and pressure• Finance: ICCR, 3iGFinance: ICCR, 3iG• Micah Challenge and MDGsMicah Challenge and MDGs• Islamic CharitiesIslamic Charities• Buddhism in rebuilding of CambodiaBuddhism in rebuilding of Cambodia• Tsunami and New Orleans: prominent role Tsunami and New Orleans: prominent role

of faithsof faiths• New alliances across traditional barriers: New alliances across traditional barriers:

trafficking of women, Sudantrafficking of women, Sudan

ComplexitiesComplexities• Niger story: Education as a Niger story: Education as a

priority, 170 in a classpriority, 170 in a class• First, nations and communities First, nations and communities

left behindleft behind• Second, internal conflictsSecond, internal conflicts• Third, implementation Third, implementation

implementationimplementation• Fourth, poverty and equityFourth, poverty and equity

Where to?Where to?

•Reinforce the Aspects of Reinforce the Aspects of Common cause and engagementCommon cause and engagement

•Dialogue on differencesDialogue on differences•New forms of partnershipNew forms of partnership•New forms of allianceNew forms of alliance•Common commitment to Common commitment to

changing realitieschanging realities

Areas of Engagement and Areas of Engagement and AllianceAlliance• Major issue of HIV/AIDS Major issue of HIV/AIDS • Human rights: more complex – human Human rights: more complex – human

rights and responsibilitiesrights and responsibilities• Peace building, peace making, conflict Peace building, peace making, conflict

preventionprevention• Issues: Debt, religiously motivated Issues: Debt, religiously motivated

violence, water, refugeesviolence, water, refugees• City focusCity focus• Different geometries: Sant’Egidio: Different geometries: Sant’Egidio:

poverty to conflict to HIV/AIDS, to rightspoverty to conflict to HIV/AIDS, to rights

Issues and IdeasIssues and Ideas• Development agenda of advocacy, action, Development agenda of advocacy, action,

and learning: the MDGsand learning: the MDGs• Development Agenda: reflective – directions, Development Agenda: reflective – directions,

future shape of societies, “different worlds”future shape of societies, “different worlds”• ““Successes” and Failures: culture and Successes” and Failures: culture and

religionreligion• Holes in knowledge, areas for investigation. Holes in knowledge, areas for investigation.

DataData• Address fundamentalism (or development in Address fundamentalism (or development in

deeply religious environments)deeply religious environments)

Common ConcernsCommon Concerns• Every issue on Development agenda Every issue on Development agenda

has faith dimensions:has faith dimensions:• Water, finance (infatuation with micro Water, finance (infatuation with micro

credit), migration, gender, laborcredit), migration, gender, labor• Every issue on Faith agenda has a Every issue on Faith agenda has a

development dimension?development dimension?• Religious freedom, concepts of charity Religious freedom, concepts of charity

and community. Less tendency to and community. Less tendency to organize in “sectors” but nonetheless organize in “sectors” but nonetheless many common threads.many common threads.

Common Concerns: Common Concerns: HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS• A Case: “Part of the Problem, Part of the A Case: “Part of the Problem, Part of the

Solution”Solution”• Sin and Stigma, divisions in approachSin and Stigma, divisions in approach• Compassion and care: children and orphansCompassion and care: children and orphans• Community organizationsCommunity organizations• Issues of trust and processesIssues of trust and processes• Unease about relations with governments and Unease about relations with governments and • Vice versaVice versa• Critically important, critically complex, large Critically important, critically complex, large

holes in knowledgeholes in knowledge

Areas for dialogueAreas for dialogue

• Gender: roles, violence, rightsGender: roles, violence, rights• CorruptionCorruption• New forms of collaboration and New forms of collaboration and

partnershipspartnerships• GlobalizationGlobalization• Enterprise and its rolesEnterprise and its roles• Equity and approaches to itEquity and approaches to it

Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.I look forward confidently to the day when I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, thought to their separateness as Negroes,

Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full will be the day when we bring into full

realization the American dream -- a dream realization the American dream -- a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of

opportunity, of privilege and property widely opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land

where men will not argue that the color of a where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his man's skin determines the content of his

character; a dream of a nation where all our character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for gifts and resources are held not for

ourselves alone, but as instruments of ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect of a country where every man will respect

the dignity and worth of the human the dignity and worth of the human personality.personality.