Outline Christian teaching and the teaching of Islam on wealth and poverty.

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Alex Dayantis 10L                R.P. Coursework

R.P. Coursework

Wealth and Poverty

(a)(i) Outline Christian teaching and the teaching of Islam on wealth and poverty.

The Christian Teaching

        Christians do not condemn wealth itself, but what it can do to people. In the bible we read that Abraham had great wealth.

And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.’ Genesis 13:2

 They believe that, as God provides for them, when they acquire wealth they will be tempted to turn their back on God. They think that they won’t need God to provide for them. In this way they believe that wealth turns Christians away from God.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and  the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’ Matthew 6:24

Mammon: Bible. Riches, avarice, and worldly gain personified as a false god in the New Testament.

The Christians are taught that there are four types of poverty:

  1. Poverty caused by oppression and fraud. In the Old Testament many people are poor because governments or individuals oppressed them. Many times, in the Old Testament, governments established unjust laws or debased the currency. These measures resulted in the exploitation of people.
  2. Poverty caused by misfortune, persecution or judgement. In the book of Job, God allowed Satan to test Job by bringing misfortune upon him. Elsewhere in the Old Testament it tells us about misfortune or God’s judgement on disobedient people.
  3. Poverty through laziness, neglect or gluttony. In proverbs, some people are poor due to improper habits and apathy. ‘He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.’ Proverbs 10:4
  4. Poverty due to the culture of poverty. Poverty breeds poverty and this cycle is not easily broken. People who grow up in poverty don’t usually get the education they need to succeed in later life. ‘The ruin of the poor is their poverty’ Proverbs 10:5

The Christian church is one of the richest institutions in the world. A reason for this may be that the Church refuses to give poor people money, arguing that poor people are not Christians., so the Church does not have to give them money.

The Muslim teaching

        Muslims believe that it is their duty to help those less fortunate than themselves. Muslims are expected to be caring, kind and compassionate. One of the pillars of Islam is Zakah. Zakah is the Arabic word for purification. Muslims are expected to donate 2.5% of their income to the poor, unless they need all of the money to live. If they wish, Muslims can donate more than the 2.5% that is expected. Muslims also need to donate more money during the Id ul’Fit’r festival. Money from Zakah cannot go into the mosque, as the mosque belongs to the community. Therefore the Muslims believe that giving money for use in the mosque is like giving money is like giving themselves money. They believe that charity is a way to paradise.

‘He who eats and sleeps while his brother goes hungry is not one of us.’ Hadith

This means that the Muslims think that wealth and poverty should be shared out equally.

‘Every day two angels come down from heaven; one of them says ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who gives in Your name.’ The other says ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser!’’ Hadith

‘Those who spend their wealth day and night in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’ Surah 2:274

Muslims also believe in paying Sadaquar, which is voluntarily giving money to charity when asked, or if they have spare.

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(a)(ii) Explain why there is a need for world development.

        

There is an imaginary line called the North-South divide that divides the world into almost 2 halves.

        

North:

  • 25% of the world population.
  • 80% of the world income.
  • Average lifespan: 70+ years
  • Most people go through primary and secondary schools.
  • 90% of the world manufacturing industry.
  • 96% of the world research funds.
  • Nearly all of the worlds registered patents.
  • Dominates most of the international economic system and institutions of trade, money and finance.

South:

  • 75% of the world population.
  • 20% of ...

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