Religion and Poverty: a Study of the Abrahamic Religions Throughout Greater Seattle

Abstract

One value that the majority of the world’s religions share is the practice of helping other human beings that are in need. This effort may be accomplished in many different ways depending on geographic location and religious beliefs. This study addresses the motivation behind and methods used by the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities throughout the greater Seattle area by examining portions of the Qu’ran and Bible, and providing examples of how each religion addresses poverty. While each community chooses to help poor and needy people based on religious beliefs and what they believe to be right, there are certain methods and principles that experts in the fields of poverty elimination and community development believe to be most successful. The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast the different ways that the three religious communities in Seattle address poverty, and to recognize the best practices within each religion. If the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian communities would learn from each other, poverty will be addressed more successfully.