Posted: October 6th, 2022

Expensive Religious Buildings and Poverty

Expensive Religious Buildings and Poverty: Assignment help – Discussion Analysis

Religion is often seen as a source of comfort, hope and guidance for many people, especially those who are marginalized, oppressed or poor. However, some religious institutions have been criticized for spending large amounts of money on building lavish temples, churches, mosques or other places of worship, while neglecting the social and economic needs of their followers and the wider community. This essay will examine the arguments for and against expensive religious buildings, and evaluate their impact on poverty alleviation and social justice.

One argument in favor of expensive religious buildings is that they reflect the glory and majesty of God, and inspire awe and reverence among the believers. According to this view, building magnificent structures for worship is a way of honoring God and expressing gratitude for His blessings. Moreover, expensive religious buildings can also attract more visitors and tourists, which can generate income and employment opportunities for the local people. For example, the Vatican City, which is home to the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica, receives millions of pilgrims and tourists every year, and contributes to the economy of Rome and Italy (BBC News, 2013).

Another argument in favor of expensive religious buildings is that they serve as centers of learning, culture and community for the faithful. Many religious buildings house libraries, schools, museums, art galleries, hospitals, orphanages or other social services that benefit the people. For instance, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, which is the holiest site for Sikhs, provides free food and accommodation to thousands of visitors every day, regardless of their religion or background. The temple also runs a hospital, a museum and a school for the poor (Singh, 2016).

However, there are also strong arguments against expensive religious buildings, especially in the context of poverty and inequality. One argument is that spending money on lavish buildings is wasteful and immoral, when there are millions of people who lack basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, health care and education. According to this view, religion should focus on helping the poor and oppressed, rather than building monuments for the rich and powerful. As Pope Francis said in 2013, “The Church does not need gold chalices but chalices full of love” (Catholic Herald, 2013).

Another argument against expensive religious buildings is that they create a sense of alienation and resentment among the poor and marginalized groups, who feel excluded and discriminated by the dominant religious institutions. Some expensive religious buildings have been built on land that was forcibly taken from indigenous people or minorities, or have been funded by exploiting natural resources or labor. For example, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which is one of the largest mosques in the world, was built with marble imported from Italy and India, gold from Germany and crystals from Austria. The mosque has been accused of violating human rights and environmental standards in its construction (Human Rights Watch, 2006).

In conclusion, expensive religious buildings have both positive and negative effects on poverty alleviation and social justice. On one hand, they can be seen as expressions of faith and devotion to God, as well as sources of income and education for the people. On the other hand, they can be seen as symbols of greed and oppression, as well as causes of division and conflict among the people. Therefore, it is important to balance the spiritual and material aspects of religion, and to ensure that religious buildings are built with respect for human dignity and environmental sustainability.

References:

BBC News (2013). Vatican City profile. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18181615

Catholic Herald (2013). Pope Francis: The Church does not need gold chalices but chalices full of love. Retrieved from https://catholicherald.co.uk/pope-francis-the-church-does-not-need-gold-chalices-but-chalices-full-of-love/

Human Rights Watch (2006). Building Towers Cheating Workers: Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in the United Arab Emirates. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2006/11/11/building-towers-cheating-workers/exploitation-migrant-construction-workers-united

Singh S (2016). The Golden Temple: More Than Guys With Turbans And A Free Meal. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-golden-temple-more-than-guys-with-turbans-and-a-free-meal_b_57f27b90e4b0f482f8f08c5a

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