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Poverty

Poverty. In the US and Abroad Materialism & Living Simply. Living Simply. In what way is God calling you to simplify your life? For one week, choose to live more simply

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Poverty

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  1. Poverty In the US and Abroad Materialism & Living Simply

  2. Living Simply • In what way is God calling you to simplify your life? • For one week, choose to live more simply • Focus on needs over wants, time management, moderation, reasonable expectations of self and others, embracing silence, flexibility, balance, living in the present moment with the people present, be a peacemaker, generosity of spirit, time with God

  3. Living Simply - SGP • “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” ~Hans Hofmann • “You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.” ~Vernon Howard

  4. Matthew 6:25-27,31-33. • Dependence on God.*25n “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?26Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?o27Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?*31 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’32All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.33But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides.

  5. Living Simply • Read “Simple Living Isn’t So Simple” • Write a ½ page reflection on: • Difference between poverty and simple living • What is your idea of “enough?” • What is motivation for you to live more simply? • How is God calling you to simplify?

  6. Option for the poor and vulnerable • Preferential option for the poor (pg. 64) • The choice to put the needs of society’s most poor and vulnerable members first among social concerns. • Helping those with the greatest need, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. • On both the personal and societal level. • Involves building relationships with the poor and acting to eliminate injustice.

  7. Solidarity • Constant commitment to the common good, based on the belief that we are all really responsible for all (pg. 70) • A spirit of friendship among all is necessary for a just world. • Cooperation over competition.

  8. Poverty in the U.S. • 35% of youth grow up in poverty • Rates of poverty are much higher for African Americans (1 in 4) and Latinos (1 in 5) than whites (1 in 12) • 70% of children in poverty live in a household where at least one relative works.

  9. Poverty in the U.S. • Hunger • Food insecure, chronic hunger, malnutrition, starvation • Homelessness • Literally homeless • Hidden homeless - unsafe homes, live with others, inadequate housing, housing consumes too much of their income (1/3 of income)

  10. Poverty in the U.S. • Complex issue that is often cyclical • Inadequate education • Stagnant wages, increasing costs • Physical and mental health issues • Hopelessness - people tend to live for the moment rather than work toward a better future

  11. How do we track progress? • GDP (Gross Domestic Product) • GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator) • http://genuineprogress.net/ general introduction • http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/mdgpi/index.asp • Acknowledges that human progress for a society has more aspects than mere accumulation of wealth. • Attempt to quantify what is good and bad for society but does not have direct economic impact. • http://genuineprogress.net/genuine-progress-indicator/ - List of indicators used

  12. Poverty Abroad • Over ½ of world population live on less than $2 per day. • Lack of adequate food & water • Problem is not production, but distribution. • Homelessness: urban slums, refugees • Inadequate education • Effects of colonialism • Extraction human & natural resources, artificial borders set up, wealth and power concentrated in a few individuals • Debt crisis - countries using money for interest payments rather than development

  13. Addressing Poverty Abroad • Microfinance • the supply of loans, savings, and other basic financial services to the poor. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpSNM625LFU • 160 million people in developing countries are served by microfinance • Saving and Internal Lending Communities • CRS program to creating saving communities to invest then in local businesses. http://multimedia.crs.org/2012/the-silc-road/

  14. Addressing Poverty Abroad • How can I get involved? • Kiva • http://www.kiva.org/about/how basic intro • http://www.ted.com/talks/jessica_jackley_poverty_money_and_love - Ted Talk by co-founder • goodsearch.com • H2O Project periodically • The fight against injustice will never be won, but it is only lost when we do nothing.

  15. Liberation Theology • Latin American Context • Development in a purely economic sense (wealth) is not what the poor need • Fails because does not hit the root of problem. • Rich and powerful are in charge, and development solidifies their power.

  16. Liberation Theology • Emphasis on acting on faith, not just talking about faith • Building solidarity through service. • Emphasis on building community • Small groups who live, pray, and act for justice together • Liberation theology attempts to empower individuals and communities to shape their own future • Liberation is from social and political forces, personal and systemic sin that keep people from fulfilling their dignity & potential.

  17. Living Simply • Living simply - living in a way that values the sacredness of ourselves, others, and God’s creation more than material possessions. • Focus on essentials of life - loving relationships • Stuff - necessary but not sufficient • Fulfillment cannot be obtained through material wealth alone

  18. Materialism & Living Simply • Story of Stuff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&list=PL77CE8943362CB9B0

  19. Poverty of Being • Valuing having things more than being true to who we are as images of God • Emphasizes having over being • Civilization of consumption - attempt to find happiness by buying what we do not really need. • “makes people slaves of ‘possession’ and of immediate gratification” John Paul II • “the more one possesses the more one wants, while deeper aspirations remain unsatisfied and perhaps even stifled” John Paul II • Can loose sight of spiritual & social of self

  20. Universal Destination of Goods • All the resources of the earth are intended for all people. • Right to property is limited by the basic needs of the larger community. • Managing resources in a way that benefits the common good.

  21. Materialism & Living Simply • Story of Solutions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpkRvc-sOKk

  22. Poverty Review • Option for the Poor and Vulnerable • Solidarity • Cycle of Poverty and Hopelessness • Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) • Poverty of Being • Universal Destination of Goods • Ways to address poverty abroad (discussed in class)

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