Does religion fit in Live 8?

Recently, 10 concerts were held around the world to publicize African

poverty and to call on the leaders of the top eight economic powers

in the world (known as the G-8) to help end poverty through the

cancellation of African debts owed to G-8 countries and increased aid

to the world’s poorest countries. As the concerts approached, a

number of religious groups -- as varied as Rick Warren and Pat

Robertson -- voiced their support for the movement, which includes

the One Campaign and Make Poverty History. Generally speaking, will

the Live 8 concerts do much to change attitudes toward global

poverty? And, where should religious groups fit into this movement?

The widening gap between the haves and the have-nots cannot be

over-emphasized. How many of us, who are truly blessed to be reading

these words in comfort and with a full stomach, understand that in

our world today, 1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day

and 3 billion live on less than two dollars? Billions of people!

Everything we can do to keep fellow human beings from hunger, disease

and misery should be done.

Hooray for Sir Bob Geldof and other rock ‘n’ rollers for doing

their best to call attention to present realities. They continue a

goodly heritage as I remember lots of lyrics from my youth, such as

Leon Russell’s “judge your wealth by coins that you give away not by

those you keep yourself for spending.” Who listens? Have our G-8

leaders? What words making this essential point come into your mind?

Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor ... woe to you who are

rich” (Luke 6:20b and 24a). People of faith must constantly be aware

that much is expected from those of us to whom much has been given.

Who is responsible?

(THE VERY REV’D CANON)

PETER D. HAYNES

Saint Michael & All Angels

Episcopal Church,

Corona del Mar

In order to be disillusioned, one must first have illusions. I

harbor no illusion that the war on drugs, the war on terror or the

war on poverty will succeed in eradicating those plagues from the

face of the earth. A benefit music concert, while well-meaning and

consciousness-raising, seems to me but another feel-good event of

limited value. It is like a comet streaking across the sky, eliciting

oohs and aahs but quickly gone, rather than the steady light emitted

from a star.

We must sustain our engagement without letup. We must maintain our

will and work unceasingly to have an impact on these scourges. God’s

mandate is to extend our hands, not to shrug our shoulders. The

religious imperative, voiced over and again in the Bible, is to

pursue justice and alleviate the plight of the suffering. We are to

be co-workers with God in repairing the world. Jewish wisdom states

it forcefully: “It is not incumbent upon you to complete any work,

but you are not free to desist from making the effort!” As Elie

Wiesel has taught us, “In the face of suffering, one has no right to

turn away, not to see.”

Before entering the ynagogue on the holiest day of the year, Yom

Kippur, Jews are taught that they are not to think of approaching God

with pleas for mercy and compassion without first having done all

within one’s power to demonstrate those qualities to one’s fellow

man. Our treatment of the creator is demonstrated through our

response to his creation. God is not impressed with our prayers as

much as by our acts that respond to the prayers of others. All of

Judaism is a one-word answer to Cain’s cynical question “Am I my

brother’s keeper?” and that answer is: “Yes!”

Judaism instructs us to offer a blessing to God prior to engaging

in any act: before eating bread, prior to lighting the Chanukah

menorah, in anticipation of reading the Torah. There is no blessing,

though, for giving to others who are in need. Why? No person should

be forced to wait as little as an extra moment while the benefactor

is busy being pious!

It is told of a great Rabbi who flourished centuries ago that he

had learned the mystical name of God that, when pronounced, would

bring on the Messiah. He announced that were he to utter the sacred,

ineffable name after Yom Kippur services and the conclusion of the

fast day, the Messiah would soon be on his way. As the worship ended,

he prepared himself as the congregation looked on in rapt attention.

He reached the heights of spiritual intensity and the worshippers

knew the moment would soon be upon them! Suddenly, a child in the

rear of the sanctuary began to cry. The Rabbi broke off his

concentrations and ordered that the child be fed right away. When his

disappointed flock asked him why he had squandered this great

opportunity, he responded: “The Messiah can wait, but a little child

who hungers must be fed immediately!”

We, who periodically fast for the good of our souls and who choose

to diet for the good of our bodies, must help feed those whose fast

is every day and whose hunger is involuntary.

RABBI MARK S. MILLER

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

A young man in Harare once asked me: “What do you Americans think

about our problems here in Zimbabwe?” I did not have the heart to

tell him that most people in the United States would have trouble

finding Zimbabwe on a map. When I taught in Africa more than 25 years

ago, I assumed the future would be brighter, and I did not foresee

devastation by AIDS, civil wars, famine and increasing poverty.

Anything these concerts can do to help should be supported.

I take note of artists who use their gifts and celebrity status to

serve worthy causes. They set an example that there is more to life

than fame and fortune. There can be common spiritual values shared by

artists and religious groups. Often the artists may be more

influential than religious organizations in shaping public opinion.

Each generation’s music is a powerful medium which influences the

future. When I was a teen, Bob Dylan; Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and

Mary; and “The Concert for Bangladesh” were examples of music which

raised awareness about political and social issues.

The critical acclaim and success of the film “Hotel Rwanda” has

also helped to educate people about the involvement of the

international community in African politics and to underscore the

consequences of our failure to intervene.

Beyond charity and humanitarian assistance, the cancellation of

debts by G-8 countries and increased aid are appropriate responses to

the legacy of exploitation by colonial governments and international

corporations often acting in complicity with corrupt indigenous

leaders.

The concerts have intensified public awareness that G-8 countries

can relieve global poverty.

More citizens will insist that their governments engage in fair

economic practices and rein in corporations which hurt rather than

help local people around the world. Films like “Enron” give us a

glimpse of the dangers of economic ignorance.

Rock stars and religious leaders are urgently needed to translate

the complexities of international finance into ethical principles

that everyone can understand and act upon.

REV. DR. DEBORAH

BARRETT

Zen Center of

Orange County, Costa Mesa