A Global Issue in Religions Around The World - Essay Sample

Paper Type:  Essay
Pages:  6
Wordcount:  1628 Words
Date:  2023-02-12
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Introduction

In this context, greed is the desire to make money and become rich. Many of the world religions are aware of the discussions regarding money since they are written in the scriptures, for instance in the Bible, on the Sermon on the Mount, Jess said that no one could serve God and wealth simultaneously. In the same way, Paul in Timothy indicated that the love for money is the root of all evil. The Quran and prophets also guide people in matters of gaining and spending wealth. All the world religions have teachings regarding wealth and greed, and people are advised on how to live righteously. The primary goal of this essay is to explain what the major world religions thought about greed in the 15th century.

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According to the Islam religion in the 15th century, making money and being wealthy came from God. Followers were taught on how to handle matters regarding wealth accordingly. For instance, Muslims were taught that it was wrong to obtain wealth and earn a living through the wrong means (Kutub 47). According to Islam, people must get their money through legal or halal ways. Getting money by buying and selling things that were forbidden by God like pork and alcohol was a sin. In Quran 4:29, it is clearly indicated that people must not consume wealth belonging to others unjustly. Instead, money should be obtained in business by mutual consent. Another teaching in the Islam religion in the 19th century was that Muslims were advised on not letting wealth distract them. Muslims were warned in the Quran to be on guard against greed and to treat wealth as a worldly matter since one will leave it behind after dying. According to Islam, a believer should not save vast sums of money or their use, but rather, they should distribute it among the less fortunate in society (Vaezin & Akbar 147). The third thought on greed, according to Islam, was that giving wealth was the beginning of prosperity. Charity increases wealth, and God replaces it with something better.

Hinduism had various teachings on wealth in the 15th century. First, wealth was regarded as divine and was revered by everyone (Hacker 479). All the gods live in luxury with Lord Shiva being the god of abundance. Hindus were taught that the people who worshipped him were rewarded with both spiritual and material wealth (Tickle 210). However, Hindus in the 15th century were taught that wealth was supposed to be used in the service of God and not for the glorification of evil forces. Since evil forces control most wealth, bad people can be seen enjoying the money while the righteous remain poor (Herman 30). According to the Hindu teachings at that time, greed was condemned since it made people gain a lot of wealth that they never needed. However, if the money gained is used to do good in society, then wealth becomes divine and bears good fruit (Hacker 481). Hinduism taught that wealth was divine and that it was a crucial requirement for the continuation of life. People only become greedy of their wealth is acquired by ignoring dharma (Hacker 481). Hindus were taught to serve God with their wealth and not for any selfish gain or to strengthen one's ego. Living in excess wealth was not considered as sinful.

According to the teachings of Buddhism in the 15th century, money was temporary and not a source of happiness (Karras 48). Greed was described as one of the three poisons that led to evil (akusala) and that it led to suffering (dukkha). According to this religion, the danger of excessive desire for money and wealth made many people make wrong decisions after getting greedy. However, Buddhism did not condemn people from working to have money and become rich. During that time, monastics gave up all their material possessions while ordinary people did not (Kaza 17). The challenge was to live one's life while being cautious to avoid being snared by the material culture. Buddhists were taught that although it was not easy to live life without being greedy, people must learn how to control their desires (Olendzki 17).

The Catholic teachings in the 15th century strongly condemned greed, and references regarding wealth were made from different scriptures in the Bible (Rhee 34). For instance, the tenth commandment explains that people should not covet since the act leads to theft and robbery, which are forbidden. The teachings referred to money and wealth being earthly desires and that they are all vanity (Seuntjens 510). An example of the scriptures regarding wealth is Ecclesiastes 5:10, which says that those who love money will never be satisfied with it. The New Testament was the primary reference to the teachings about wealth in the 15th century (Seuntjens 917). Many examples were given to explain the consequences of greed that was brought about by the acquisition of substantial wealth. For instance, the story about the rich man and Lazarus taught how it was useless to have money without doing any good, and finally, one would die and leave everything behind. Lazarus was punished after he died.

Confucius urged his followers not to be greedy in any way. The quote from the master explained that although everyone desired money and wealth, they must be gained in the right way (Ward 78). Poverty must also be avoided in a proper manner. In the 15th century, Confucianism never preached against the accumulation of wealth, but there were consequences if one diverted from living the right way. Confucius advised his students by telling them that only small people desired to pursue wealth (Ward 78. Materialism was not encouraged or promoted in this religion since it promoted selfishness and was compared to salt without savor. People were encouraged not to be greedy but instead, help and share with those that were poor in the community. Confucius explained to his students that greediness led to showing off and lack of harmony (Ward 78. He warned people that petty people who were greedy would soon face the danger that lied ahead.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the primary goal of this essay is to explain what the major world religions thought about greed in the 15th century. According to the Islam religion in the 15th century, making money and being wealthy came from God. Muslims were taught that it was wrong to obtain wealth and earn a living through improper means. Hinduism had various teachings on wealth in the 15th century. First, wealth was regarded as divine and was revered by everyone. However, greed was condemned since it made people gain a lot of wealth that they never needed. According to the teachings of Buddhism in the 15th century, money was temporary and not a source of happiness. Greed was described as one of the three poisons that led to evil. Buddhists were taught that although it was not easy to live life without being greedy, people must learn how to control their desires. The Catholic teachings in the 15th century strongly condemned greed, and references regarding wealth were made from different scriptures in the Bible. Confucius urged his followers not to be greedy in any way. The quote from the master explained that although everyone desired money and wealth, they must be gained in the right way.

Works Cited

Hacker, Paul. "Dharma in hinduism." Journal of Indian Philosophy 34.5 (2006): 479-496.

http://www.springerlink.com/index/GM162H2NP513MMM8.pdf

Herman, Arthur L. A brief introduction to Hinduism: Religion, philosophy, and ways of liberation. Routledge, 2018.

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Karras, Valerie A. "Overcoming greed: An Eastern Christian perspective." Buddhist-Christian Studies 24.1 (2004): 47-53.

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Kaza, Stephanie, ed. Hooked! Buddhist writings on greed, desire, and the urge to consume. Shambhala Publications, 2005.

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Kutub, Muhammad. Islam: The Misunderstood Relegion. The Css Point, 1990.

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Olendzki, Andrew. "Buddhist psychology." Encountering Buddhism: Western psychology and Buddhist teachings(2003): 9-30.

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Rhee, Helen. Wealth and Poverty in Early Christianity. Fortress Press, 2017.

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Seuntjens, Terri G., et al. "Defining greed." British Journal of Psychology 106.3 (2015): 505-525.

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Seuntjens, Terri G., et al. "Dispositional greed." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 108.6 (2015): 917.

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Tickle, Phyllis A. Greed: The seven deadly sins. Oxford University Press, 2004.

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Vaezi, Sayyed Hossain, and Akbar Rahimi-Kelishadi. "Greed from the Educational Point of View of Islam." Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences 6.2 S1 (2015): 147.

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Ward, Jean Elizabeth. The sayings of Confucius. Lulu. com, 2008.

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A Global Issue in Religions Around The World - Essay Sample. (2023, Feb 12). Retrieved from https://proessays.net/essays/a-global-issue-in-religions-around-the-world-essay-sample

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