Many social activists and agencies concerned with poverty relief and development function on prescribed assumptions: those who have more should share with those who have less, thus creating equality. Some would take it one step further by saying that those who have more are morally wrong and must have gained their surplus from outright theft or unfair trade.
Far too often, religious and secular efforts see only a material problem. Both neglect the devastating power of bad ideas based in religion and social customs. Ideas have consequences. They're like glasses that either distort or bring into focus an objective reality.
Christianity verses Fatalistic Religions in the War Against Poverty posits that developmental work must focus on developing people's ideas. Cultural change must precede material changes. This book is for anyone interested in cultural and religious differences or who is exploring the difficult issues of relief and development.
