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This interactive discussion, moderated by Martin University President Fr. Boniface Hardin, explores the Abrahamic tradition of Living Generously with Rabbi Lew Weiss, chaplain, Clarian Hospitals; Elizabeth Brown, president, Bridging the Gap; and Imam Michael Saahir, Nur-Allah Islamic Center. Participants will explore how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam address society’s chronic issues of poverty, disease, war, and environmental destruction.

When: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Martin University 2171 Avondale Pl., Indianapolis, IN 46218

According to the good people at Wikipedia:

Alms or almsgiving exists in a number of religions. In general, it involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue. In Abrahamic religions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor.

Islamic scriptural rules on alms are quite reminiscent of the biblical instructions:

“If you give alms openly, it is well; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better.”  (Qur-an 2:271a)

In Islam, zakat, or the giving of alms, is the third of the five pillars of Islam. Various rules attach to the practice, but in general terms, it is obligatory to give away 2.5% of ones savings and business revenue, as well as 5-10% of ones harvest, to the poor. The recipients include the destitute, the working poor, those who are unable to pay off their own debts, stranded travelers, and others who need assistance, with the general principle of zakaah always being that the rich should pay it to the poor.

Whereas the principle of almsgiving in Christianity is not a legal concept as in Islam, giving to the poor is regarded as one of the highest duties for any Christian. The offertory is the traditional moment in every Roman Catholic Mass, when alms are collected. In all Christian forms of worship, a collection is made of “tithes and offerings” given for the support of the church and for the relief of the poor, as a central act of Christian worship. In addition, private acts of charity, considered virtuous only if not done for others to admire, are a Christian duty.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 6:1)

In the Jewish tradition, charity represented by tzedakah, justice, and the poor are entitled to charity as a matter of right rather than benevolence. Contemporary charity is regarded as a continuation of the Biblical Maaser Ani, or poor-tithe, as well as Biblical practices including permitting the poor to glean the corners of a field, harvest during the Shmita (Sabbatical year), and other practices. Voluntary charity, along with prayer and repentance, is regarded as ameliorating the consequences of bad acts.

Discuss how these traditions can work together to create a better world, learn about upcoming community events, and hear from Habitat for Humanity Director Dean Illingworth about the House of Abraham project. Admission is free.

Presented by Bridging the Gap, Habitat for Humanity, International Interfaith Initiative, and Martin University.

Questions? Call 317-466-0114 or e-mail cwiles@peacelearningcenter.org.

This promises to be a fascinating, perhaps demanding discussion, more than the sort of group-hug that seems the goal of some interfaith discussions. If it sounds interesting, check out some of the other discussions of faith and the environment that are around the same time:

• November 10 — Climate Change and Faith Communities
• November 12 — Melting Mountains, Burning Fields: Global Warming, Science and Religion
• November 12 — Living Green: Living Generously with Earth

Contrast what Sheila Kennedy has to say on November 14.

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 3rd, 2007 at 3:33 am and is filed under Events, Religion, Interfaith, Jews & Judaism, Islam & Muslims, Christianity & Christians, Law & justice, Environment, Health & Medicine, War & peace, Poverty, Living Green. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.