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THE QUESTION
Economic Crisis a Moral Issue?
Are the economy's recent financial failures also moral failures? Are credit and debt religious issues? Do you have faith in the economy?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on September 16, 2008 6:59 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Crisis as a Test of Faith
Ultimately, the restoration of calm will send fear and anger back into their hiding places. Assuming that we have legitimate elections and market stability in the near future, most people will stop being triggered by stress.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on October 15, 2008 12:35 PM
When Gray Is the Only Color
At this point Roe v. Wade is rather like the plight of the Palestinians. Keeping the argument inflamed has more political value than solving it. Reversing Roe v. Wade would probably be neither a victory nor a defeat for either side.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on September 24, 2008 5:28 AM
Economic Crisis: Some Are Guilty All Are Responsible
Let's stop having faith in the economy and begin to have faith in each other - trusting that the happiness that comes from greed is transient at best while the happiness that comes from giving, serving and even sacrificing for each other is far more enduring and credit-worthy.
Posted by Irwin Kula, on September 22, 2008 8:38 AM
How Much Greed Can We Justify
What I think we need is a wider debate about what kind of economy we want, how much we justify- and need- greed, and what protection we can put in place to make sure that ordinary people do not suffer too much in what is unfolding.
Posted by Julia Neuberger, on September 22, 2008 8:26 AM
Healthy Economy Requires Moral Restraint
When you have to legislate what ought to be common sense, you know we have slipped our moral moorings.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on September 22, 2008 7:46 AM
Let's Try Biblical Economics
So far the whole notion of rhythmically redistributing wealth - a vision at the heart of Biblical economics - is not on the agenda for Wall Street saviors.
Posted by Arthur Waskow, on September 22, 2008 12:00 AM
Financial Crisis: A Moral and Spiritual Issue
From our pulpits we must once again speak against the dangers of consumerism, predatory lending, and avarice (greed). We must not just preach it but also be challenged by how we individually and religious organizations are complicit in practicing or promoting these vices.
Posted by Gabriel Salguero, on September 21, 2008 8:43 AM
The Growth of Greed
It is clear that the moral element that influenced - perhaps even created - the recent situation, is the growth of greed. When greed is strong enough to waylay caution, it is not only morally reprehensible, but also practically dangerous.
Posted by Adin Steinsaltz, on September 19, 2008 2:19 PM
It's the Morality, Sinner
The strongest critics of the Wall Street gamblers call it putting self-interest above the public interest; the Bible would call it a sin.
Posted by Jim Wallis, on September 19, 2008 1:49 PM
The Economics of Sin and Virtue
In this climate, it's not how much you sinned but how much you took away before the bubble burst. None of this behavior reflects on God, however, or sin for that matter. As in Abu Ghraib, a climate of wrongdoing was created, morality became numb, and peer pressure did the rest.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on September 19, 2008 12:55 PM
Pity for a Devastated Wall Street
Liberty requires good men and women, so friends of liberty would do well to pray for a genuine religious revival on Wall Street and in government.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on September 19, 2008 11:39 AM
Accountability and Stewardship
Either your love for God (and consequently, your love of neighbor) will fuel your stewardship of money, or love of money will fuel your stewardship of love. Everything starts with stewardship
Posted by Matt Maher, on September 18, 2008 12:46 PM
Justice and Mercy on Wall Street
In the coming days, there will be ongoing debate about bailing out banks, insurers, and their stock holders. Rather that pound each other over who deserves what, I would love to see us consider what we are able to do for each other.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on September 18, 2008 12:22 AM
An Economy of Interconnection
A moral economy, in Pagan terms, would be very different. It would root enterprises in place and community, and be founded on the concept of balance and interconnection.
Posted by Starhawk, on September 17, 2008 4:44 AM
Loving God or Money
Usury, which is the overcharging of people, is Biblically condemned! "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy," it says in the Book of Exodus, " charge him no interest."
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on September 17, 2008 12:44 AM
If We Rely On Faith To Fix The Economy, We'll All Need Charity
Individuals may behave morally or immorally in their financial dealings, but financial institutions and markets are amoral. That is why government regulation is needed to strike a balance between the common good and untrammeled profits.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on September 16, 2008 8:09 AM
Den of Thieves
The moral failure here is that those who were charged with protecting the public interest from runaway greed and unfair lending practices instead have shown that they are the ringleaders of the Den of Thieves.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on September 16, 2008 7:34 AM
Economy Built on Wishes and Wants
Two generations ago wry commentators like T.S. Eliot and C.S. Lewis noted that in the Bible and the Koran it is forbidden to use money to make money, i.e. to take interest -- and that our entire modern western economy, and now more or less the global economy, is built on that system and nothing else.
Posted by Nicholas T. Wright, on September 16, 2008 6:46 AM
Poison Apples on the Money Tree
While politicians blame each other (and both Obama and McCain are wrong in their assigning of blame), the rest of us should see the Wall Street crisis as a teachable moment. Too many of us have equated wants with needs.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on September 16, 2008 12:39 AM
The Economy: Between Cynical Fear and Penitent Hope
"Free trade," "the open market," "unregulated capitalism" invite & always result in runaway greed, then collapse.
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on September 16, 2008 12:38 AM
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