Christoph Stückelberger: The Impact of Religions to Overcome Poverty, the Wealth Gap and Environmental Destruction

Professor Christoph Stückelberger, Executive Director & founder of Globethics.netgavethe speech: “The Impact of Religions to Overcome Poverty, the Wealth Gap and Environmental Destruction” at Panel 1.
 
At first, Professor Christoph Stückelberger pointed out that poverty, the wealth gap and environmental destruction are challenges the whole human society is facing. Although the wealth gap may serve as a driving force of economic development, it threatens social stability. With a bearing on the existence of human beings and other creatures, environmental pollution impedes sustainable development, which is not only a moral issue but also an economic one. 

Then, Professor Stückelberger elaborated on the role Christianity, Islam and Buddhism play in alleviating poverty, narrowing wealth gap and minimizing environmental destruction. Positive messages are conveyed in the three religions, including overcoming greediness, sharing with others and shouldering responsibility. He also mentioned the unethical behavior of spreading some heretical beliefs, which negatively influences social development.  

 In the last part of the speech, Professor Stückelberger concluded the three kinds of relationships between government and religion in history: 1. the state suppressed religion; 2. religion controlled the state; 3.the two play a complementary role to each other. He calls for a structural reform in which government and non-government organizations must cooperate with each other. In his opinion, coordination between religion and other social activities needs the support and participation of the government and non-government organizations. 

 
Intern reporter: Zhang Mengsha