Peter Singer on Religion & Poverty
Just watched an interesting doco on the ABC with Peter Singer on extreme poverty. The doco is very interesting, but what caught my attention the most (so far) is his critique of the world’s major religions (or more specifically, the leaders of the world’s major religions).
The interviewer points out that Singers attitudes and beliefs surrounding extreme poverty, and the need for humanity to address this problem, is often in line with major religions, and they point out Christianity and Judaism in particular. The interviewer then went on to ask whether he is trying to fill a void left by a decline in interest in religion.
Interestingly, Singer denies this. He instead points out the difference between the teachings of the world’s major religions, and the actions and attitudes that the leaders of these religions, and many of their adherents, have in response to extreme poverty and issues of justice. He points out the void between teaching and the reality of what these religions practice.
It’s a huge wake-up call for Christians, especially as this critique comes from a leading atheist philosopher and ethicist.
Food for thought!
