Karl Marx said that religion is the opiate of the masses because it makes people meekly accept their lot instead of prodding them to question a social order where most of the people are virtual slaves and servants of those who control capital and the means of production.
But what if religion itself becomes the people's tool for strengthening their spiritual infrastructure to defeat poverty?
I am not a bible toting person nor even a very religious one. But my Catholic education has made me familiar with the stories and contents of the bible from which I have drawn some reflections on how people should regard poverty and how to overcome it.
First is the story of creation in the Genesis. Here we are reminded that we are all God's creation but we were given dominion over the other resources God made. No one then has a right to monopolize the resources of this world or universe for himself alone.
Second is the Parable of the Talents. If God created the resources for our sustenance, it is for us God's children to create value and wealth from the resources we were given to sustain us and fill our needs. By so doing, we honor our Creator. It is our responsibility and obligation to work, to be productive to contribute to achieving a wealthy community.
Third is the Parable of the Widow's mite tied up with the story of Judas, feigning concern for the poor and criticizing Mary Magdalene for lavishing Jesus with expensive aromatic oil. In this two stories, we are reminded that true charity comes from giving only of the self, of what we have. It is not charity if we give only what is of others. People who help others with other people's resources are actually working and not engaging in charity. Then there are other people who pretend to be concerned for the poor and disadvantaged by judging how others spend their money without themselves showing the way.
Fourth is a line in the Book of Sirach (not found in non Catholic bibles) that reminds people that it is better to live humbly in one's house than to feast lavishly in another's home. This passage for me points out where to start when trying to help the people - by giving them their own property. This may not be achievable at a personal or individual level but this must be a community or a government effort.
Fifth is the line in the Book of Isaiah about breaking the fetters of injustice so that light can shine into our lives like a new day. Finally, this line tells us that poverty is mostly man made and is the result of an unjust situation. God created all the resources that we need for survival but apathy, ignorance and greed have resulted in a few people living a very privileged existence while a great number were consigned to live a wanting and miserable existence.
Religion and the bible have been used and misused by many for all sorts of reason. I am not sure though if there is something objectionable if the bible will be used to fight poverty.
Just sharing my thoughts.
Happy Easter!
