Religion, Poverty and Wealth Flashcards
What is absolute poverty?
A condition of life so characterised by malnutrition, illiteracy, disease, high infant mortality and low life expectancy as to be beneath any reasonable definition of human dignity
What are the 6 main causes of poverty?
- Population explosion
- Disasters
- Conflict
- Debt
- Trade
- Education and Child Labour
What does the Catholic church say the underlying reason for poverty is?
Sin
Quote from the Catholic Catechism about poverty
‘True happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement… God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them. Rich nations have a grave moral responsibility towards those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves’
Deuteronomy 15:11- quote about poverty
‘There will always be some people who a poor and in need, and so I command you to be generous to them’
Amos 2:6-7- quote about poverty
‘They sell into slavery honest men who cannot pay their debts…the trampled the poor, weak and helpless, and push the sick out of the way’
Deuteronomy 15:7-8- quote about poverty
‘At the end of every seven years…… every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbour’ (i.e. cancel any debts)
Exodus 20 (10 Commandments- quote about poverty
‘You shall not kill’; ‘You shall not steal’
Luke 4:18-19- quote about poverty
‘The spirit of the Lord is upon me, he has sent me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed’
Mark 12:30-31
‘Love the lord your God with all your heart and with your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…love your neighbour as yourself’
What does the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats teach?
- caring for the poor is the same as caring for Jesus
- ignoring the poor is ignoring Jesus
- at the final judgement, people will be judged by God on whether they have done agape love
6 main points about a Christian view on poverty
- Christians have a duty to care for those in need. Giving is an important part of Christian Life.
- Christians must act on their beliefs and help the needy; by doing this helping God.
- All humans are created “in the image of God” Genesis 1:27; we are equal in God’s eyes – we therefore have a responsibility to help all people.
- We all belong to the family of God.
- Christian Love is based on compassion and action.
- God wants a world of justice and fairness, according to the Bible. It is human sin and disobedience which destroys this and stops justice.
Main points about Christian Aid
Community-based projects, working with local people
Helping people to help themselves, rather than offering handouts
Raising awareness as well as money, so people understand about debt, trade etc.
Involving ordinary people – collecting money, travelling abroad, working as volunteers
Saying prayers, holding special services, encouraging people to think about others
Teaching people new skills, farming methods etc. giving them a self-sufficient future
Investing in long-term projects rather than quick-fix solutions
Aid in emergencies such as floods, famines, earthquakes
Not only abroad, but helping the homeless, unemployed etc. in the UK
Action against unfair laws, poor working conditions, low pay, child labour etc.
Individual campaigns – Jubilee 2000 to clear debt; Make Poverty History; Fair Trade
Development – digging wells, building hospitals and schools, improving sanitation
3 main Christian charities
CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund
Matthew 6:24- quote about wealth
‘No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money’
