Rich and Poor in Britain

Wealth and Poverty

Wealth – A large amount of money

Poverty – being without money, food or basic needs

What is poverty? No home? No TV? No food? No Car? No Pets? No heating? No cigarettes?

Top footballer wages …. £250,000 per WEEK!

Religious Views

Religions acknowledge that there will always be rich and poor

However they think that a person should

always be valued and shown respect.

They do not think that people should be

exploited.

Religious views

Religions teach that spiritual reward is more important than riches. Wealth is

not important in the after life.

Christianity: Money should NOT take your attention away from God

Islam: wealth is a blessing from Allah and should be used to help others

Can you be religious and Rich?

Do you think it is possible to be religious and rich? What are some of the issues involved?

Definitions

Fat Cat Salaries / Excessive salaries - Large amount of money earned – bonuses given

Rich? -

MarriageNew product - Microsoft Relatives Talent – football / Actors Lottery Inheritance – left money Shares

Equality?

Do you think its is morally right that some people in Britain earn a "fat cat" salary whilst others live in poverty?

Poverty

Unemployment – some people can not find a job especially in today’s climate where a lot of shops / companies have shut down

2.49 million unemployed in UK some have little education others are too lazy. The homeless can not get a job or people with criminal records

Poverty

Low wages- there is a minimum wage but millions of people still only earn low wages. Partly because some jobs do not require skills.

It can mean people go without things like electricity and heating

Poverty

Wasteful Spending: Some people spend their money on alcohol or gambling

Debt – Credit cards can have high interest rates, mortgages for houses may suddenly rise

What does poor really mean? a) Children – dependant on adults, clothes

different, feel left out, bullied, no sleepovers!

b) Adults – Guilt, helplessness – Christmas

c) Young people, 1/5 unemployed, drug abuse

d) Elderly – State pensions not enough – heating, fuel poverty

Overcome Poverty

Poverty Trap – Not being able to break out of poverty

Education – Qualifications help with jobs

Government Help – Job Seekers, Housing Allowance, Minimum Wage, Tax Relief

Counselling – Help to make Career choices, Citizens Advice

Religious Views

All religions teach that people should use their wealth responsibly. God expects people to use it to help others, as well as themselves.

Everyone has a duty not to be greedy and selfish

Religious Views

Religions teach that

responsible use of money helps a person’s spiritual growth. donate to charity and help the less fortunate.

Christianity and Money

People should use their talents to earn money but money should not take away people’s attention from God.

You cannot serve both God and Money

Christianity and Money

Most church communities, including youth organisations, get involved in raising money to support

charity work.

Christianity and Money

Christians remember Jesus teaching to help the poor - He told rich people, to give their riches to the poor.

He also praised a poor widow for giving a tiny amount to the poor, saying she had in fact given more than the rich who had given larger amounts. He said this is the way to build ‘riches in heaven.’

Islam and Money

Wealth is a blessing from Allah and should be used to help others. True richness is richness of the

soul.

Islam and Money

Islam teaches that the value of money is in what it can do, rather than what it is.

Muslims believe that because

wealth is a blessing from Allah, it should be used wisely for the benefit of the poor, as well as for oneself.

Islam and Money

Often families will help each other to provide assistance with business opportunities and interest-free loans.

Zakah, the third pillar, ensures that all Muslims give 2.5% of their wealth to the poor every year.

Voluntary sadaqah encourages giving extra

Who Cares?

Local authorities – social workers / government help

Charities / Religious organisations – provide food and clothes

Help the aged Salvation Army – Christian charity

Families

Islam and the Lottery

Islamic teachings forbid any form of gambling, including the national lottery

For every person who becomes richer as a result of gambling, many others become poorer.

Muslims will not bid for lottery funding for projects supported by their faith,

Christianity and the Lottery Some Christian denominations (e.g. Methodists)

do not agree with gambling,

but other types (e.g. Church of England, Roman Catholics) whilst not actively encourage gambling, will allow believers to gamble in moderation.

‘Good causes’ funds have been used by some Christian charities has provided finance for the up keep of churches and cathedrals.