Protecting and Defending the Poor - Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam - Essay Example

Protecting and Defending the Poor Introduction The world has many religious groups that have their own beliefs on variousaspects of lives. Examples of the common religious groups include; Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. In protecting and defending the underprivileged individuals in the society, the religious groups have various viewpoints on how the community ought to assist them. Many ideologies have been created by individuals in the society to aid the individuals who are unable to help themselves. It is established that practicing religious beliefs plays a big role in defending the underprivileged in society (Jones, 5002-6184). The religious groups believe that it is important to offer assistance to the poor; the difference is the methods of assisting them. The liberation theology is entirely believed by Christians, however, religious groups such as Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism have their own believe and traditions of assisting the poor as part of their religious practices. The teachings in these world religions about protecting the underprivileged individuals in the society have been researched aptly. Buddhism Buddhism is a religion that has cosmic and rich coherent traditions that protect and defend the poor. It has various set of teachings that guide believers on how to conduct themselves. The main teachings of religion is that people on earth should purify their minds and show love, empathy to others, especially the underprivileged. A Buddhist is an individual who is spiritually driven to become a servant to others irrespective of the social class he/she is in, and ought to act for the benefit of other individuals in society. This is one the religion that upholds ethical values and emphasizes on implementing them when relating with other individuals in society. Compassion and loving-kindness are the core values that Buddhist should have; hence, promotes the practice of defending and protecting the poor. Life is important is an important and is highly valued, thus, believers of religion should ensure that they protect the lives of others. No person should be left die because of hunger and poverty or suffer because he/she cannot feed himself and family (Jones, 5002-6184). Being discipline is also significant, and humbleness is highly ranked, and for this reason the rich and wealthy in the society ought to degrade themselves and socialize with poor. Many opportunities will come up when individuals practice good morals and have a heart for the poor. Buddhism also teaches about love, which is a significant value a person can have. Love will make a person to protect and defend the poor in the community by providing basics needs and offering free services to them. Buddhism teachings comprises of 4 noble truths, the eightfold path and the precepts that teaches the society to defend and protect the poor. Christianity Christianity teachings on the subject require their believers to show love to the underprivileged neighbors by performing action of faith. For a Christian to have faith, it should be accompanied by actions (Jones, 5002-6184). Therefore, a person has cannot say that he/she has faith in God without assisting the poor. For instance, the religion requires their followers to provide food, clothing, and shelter to their poor neighbors. They should preach the word of God to them and lift their spirits that God loves them and wants them to be happy. Many Christian’s organizations have come up variety of projects that create employment to the people in the society. The projects employ such individuals, hence making them responsible and independent. According to the biblical prophet, a nation should consider as righteous or integrity, for it be judged by how it treats the poorest and most vulnerable. Christianity believes that the way in which we respond to the poor in society is how Christians respond Jesus; hence, the believers are encouraged to treat the poor for them to be recognized by Jesus (Jones, 5002-6184). The act of assisting the poor is a way of worshipping and submitting oneself to Christian’s teachings; thus a person feels satisfied when providing to the poor. In the current world system, Christian’s evangelicals have defended the poor in their countries against the severe budget cuts, and promoting a moral budget that considers the poor. Isaiah, one of the greatest prophets in the holy book, emphasized on the significance of defending the poor and the fatherless to see that justice is done. Christians believe that they are the natural protectors of the poor under God. Islam Leaders representing Muslim community have defended and protected the poor by launching campaigns that will see policy makers to come up with laws that will promote domestic and worldwide poverty programs (Jones, 5002-6184). Their main aim to is to let the world understand God’s intention of assisting the underprivileged in the society to overcome poverty worldwide. The Islamic society has conducted prayers for the world leaders to have the heart of defending and protecting the poor in society. Islam believes that it is their religious duty and a show of faith to assist the poor in the society. Islam have collaborated with other organizations such as federal programs with the aim of helping such individuals. Islam teachings involves the five essential necessities of life that include; preservation of the divine religion, preservation of self, preservation of mind preservation of honor, family and lineage, and preservation of wealth. The rights and obligation of Islam also promote the idea of protecting and defending the poor, for instance the rights of Almighty and Allah, Prophet Muhammad (Jones, 5002-6184). The religion has its own court that condemns any individuals oppressing the poor in society. Islam religion is globally known as a religion for peace; hence, would support any project that sees the poor having peace of mind. The Sharia law in Islam defends the holy book, Quran teachings since it regulates the conduct of Muslims to the underprivileged in the society. The book teaches about the significance of justice; hence does not tolerate people who mishandle the poor because they cannot help themselves (Jones, 5002-6184). Judaism Judaism comprises of Jewish believers whose teachings on defending and protecting the poor in the society are originated from books of Torah. The core message from the books is to protect and show compassion to the underprivileged individuals in the community (Jones, 5002-6184). They religion understands underprivileged individuals as orphans, widows and a person cannot afford to live a comfortable life. There is s stern warning for those people who mistreat them and a severe punishment is given to such individuals. In the books of Torah, Judaism God states that he will pour his anger to those people who mistreat the poor as soon as they cry for him. Most of the prophets from the Judaism religion urge the faithful to defend the poor especially when they seek for justice. Many wealthy individuals take advantage of their fame and money to bribe and alter justice in when grabbing the possessions of the poor (Jones, 5002-6184). For this reason, the religion is giving strict warning to such individuals, since they will face judgment during the last days. Instead of stealing from the poor, the wealthy individuals ought to offer assistance such as offering loans and assistance to the poor in the community. Conclusion Many ideologies have been created by individuals in the society to aid the individuals who are unable to help themselves. It is established that protecting the countryside plays a big role in defending the underprivileged in the society. Buddhism is a religion that has vast and rich intellectual traditions that protect and defend the poor in the society. It has various set of teachings that guide their believers on how to conduct themselves. The Islamic society has conducted prayers for the world leaders to have the heart of defending and protecting the poor in society. Islam believes that it is their religious duty and a show of faith to assist the poor in the society (Jones, 5002-6184). Christianity believes that the way in which we respond to the poor in society is how Christians respond Jesus; hence, the believers are encouraged to treat the poor for them to be recognized by Jesus. Judaism understands underprivileged individuals as orphans, widows and a person cannot afford to live a comfortable life. Work Cited Jones, Lindsay. Encyclopedia of Religion. Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. Print. Read More