Jeffrey Sachs, a huge secular proponent of social equity and justice is a firm believer...not of Christ's, but of humanism: mankind's ability and willingness to do good, be good and stay good. His perspective is illustrated in his economic salvation plan guide of "The End of Poverty" where he makes a case for the ability of the world to wipe out global poverty by the year 2025. Bold. It was captivating and intriguing to say the least to see someone blatantly state the absurdity and harm of religion, then go on to argue that we need to look out for one another and help the underprivileged and forgotten as a whole human race. The whole time I was reading I couldn't help but ask myself, why Jeff-erh, Mr. Sachs, why do YOU care about eradicating global poverty. What motivates this passion within you? My arguments from below kept creeping into my mind as I turned page to page to see where this economic equity pro fell. Chapter 17 conveniently addressed just that why question for me...What a professional in the social justice and secularism had to say for the great why:
"Hard evidence has established strong linkages between extreme poverty abroad and the threats to national security. Poverty abroad can indeed hurt us at home, and has repeatably done so. To answer the earlier question, yes, countries do occasionally act altruistically, helping other countries to address their basic and social challenges. Indeed, they have done so for generations, as with the magnificent U.S. Marshall Plan. Foreign policy strategists have long recognized that acts of altruism-ending the slave trade, supporting countries in their independence from empire, extending assistance for reconstruction and development, providing humanitarian relief after natural disasters-are all acts of enlightened self-interest. That self-interest does not diminish such generous acts. Moral precepts, after all, are rules of behavior that establish a basis for cooperation and reciprocity on which civilization depends." (emphasis added)
Interesting.
"I believe that the richest of the rich can comfortably make such a contribution, and that they will understand that it will be a profound and meaningful demonstration of our generation's unique moment to secure global well-being."
His strategy for eradicating global poverty as expounded upon in the rest of the book is for rich countries and individuals to give out of their pockets to the poor nations. He is calling for the rich to selfishly act selfishlessly. Short term, they take a hit but long term they get to live in a safer globe. A would-be wonderful example of "loving the Lord your God above all else, and loving your neighbor as yourself" if everyone's motives were in the right place. I hate to say it, but with this argument for social equity I can't help but see the vanity of it. Eradicating poverty will never eradicate sin, nor disease, nor war, nor disparity. Man is still man at the end of the day no matter what coin(s) are in his pocket. I don't believe in a safe globe because I don't believe in the goodness of man apart from God. Thank you Mr. Sachs for shedding some light on the paradox of secularism and social justice. I appreciate your honesty, perspective and optimism in the goodness of man, I respectfully fail to agree.
