Keeping Faith, While Balancing the Budget

How do we continue to practice the spiritual values of love, compassion and caring for the less fortunate, which are at the core of all major religious traditions, while digging out of debt in America and balancing the budget? 

A growing number of Americans are sliding into poverty each week due to high unemployment and are in need of help, but many are concerned about the tax increases to support these government programs. However, since there appears to be little job creation in sight, what is the alternative?

Some believe programs that provide goods and services for the poor also encourage an unhealthy reliance on the government for sustenance. Others believe that while government spending is not the ultimate answer, meeting the needs of the less fortunate and poor should guide policymakers.

If we were to draw from some of the teachings of the world’s religions, how might this inform our economic decisions? 

For Rev. Frankie Timmers, Pastor of the Center for Spiritual Living in Morris Township, policy changes are not necessarily the answer. She said what is needed is nothing short of a transformation of consciousness. “We have come to a pinnacle of greed and consumerism and it’s toppling over,” Timmers said. “The reason we are in so much turmoil right now is because we’ve put our power and focus into making money, which began with a message from our politicans–to go shopping."

She said while this is an extremely frightening time, it also offers incredible opportunities for growth.

Call for Inner Transformation

Timmers said we are entering a time when spirituality can no longer be dismissed, by regular people or policymakers. The answer is for each individual to practice his or her faith.

“Too many people are thinking that the solutions are found on the earthly plane, in policy changes. For people who want to make significant changes, the answer is to turn to their faith and get back in touch with spirit,” she said.

Policymakers Should Consider the Suffering of Real People 

“From a liberal Jewish point-of-view, the economic crisis, whether it be personal or communal, is no different than any other life challenge which is thrust upon us,” said Rabbi Mary L. Zamore, of Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, Morris County’s oldest Reform Congregation. 

“Our policy makers must remember the suffering of the real people as they move forward in trying to solve local and national financial problems. They must do what is right and not what sounds good in a re-election campaign,” said Zamore.

“Our troubles are not punishments by God for bad behavior," the Rabbi continued. "However, tough times are a call for all of us to help each other emotionally and practically. Humanity is created to act with compassion and love towards each other, both the people we know personally and those who are not in our immediate circle of family and friends."

She views the current economic situation as extremely stressful, but feels that it can be met with the power of faith. “We are living in difficult times, especially financially," Zamore said. "Many of our friends, neighbors and family members are unemployed, under-employed or insecure in their employment. Our nation is struggling with great debt and trying to revive our economy. These are stressful, scary situations."

But for her, turning to her faith is key. 

The Rabbi noted Tzeddukah, an intrinsic Jewish value that involves giving money to charity, and a value that is beholden on all people.

“Even people who receive charity are expected to offer charity,” she said.

Another Jewish principle is "gemilut hassidim," which calls for acts of kindness.

“There are times in our life when we have to accept help and there are other times when we have the opportunity to help others,” Zamore said. “We must reach out more actively, to feed the hungry and house the homeless. We must work to network the unemployed to help them find jobs and give education and skills to those who need a way to support themselves. Each one of us, no matter our stage in life, can help a friend or neighbor.”

Supporting the Need for Good Stewardship

According to Jim Blanton, music director of the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in Morris Township, while the Unitarian Universalist tradition respects all viewpoints and spiritual beliefs, they do recognize common principles.

“We respect the rich and the poor alike, but we tend to give special attention to the poor and marginalized in our society–and that tends to guide very strongly our thinking and our actions,” he said.

Blanton said that another basic Unitarian principle is a respect for the interconnectedness of all things and the web of life, not just human life.

“We are very respectful of the environment and concerned about its protection and the budget discussions which have included cutting funding to the parks and the Environmental Protection Agency are disturbing to us,” he said. “We believe that it is our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and nature and we support policies and champions of this philosophy.”  

Catholics Adhere to 'Preferential Option for the Poor' 

For Catholics, the principles that guide economic decisions have been set forth by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, according to Ray Chimileski, founder of Operation Chillout, a Morris County-based organization established 12 years ago to help homeless Veterans throughout New Jersey.

Chimileski said that the term, "preferential option for the poor" is one of the guiding principles of the Catholic faith and it advises policy makers to consider the needs of the poor in every decision that is made.

“As we engage in our outreach every week, we are seeing a growing number of individuals and families who are in need,” Chimileski said. “We are seeing suburban families living in their cars in parking lots and going into Starbucks in the morning to wash up.

"My ministry is dedicated 100 percent to the poor, so I am in close proximity to those in the country who are hurting,” he said.

While faith organizations and other non-profits such as Operation Chillout try to meet the needs of the poor in this country, Chimileski said to think that they can meet all of the needs, should government services be drastically cut, is unrealistic.

For Chimileski, while the budget debates go on, for him, it’s important to take action and engage in direct compassion. Whether the action involves making a monetary donation, helping to distribute bottles of water in the heat of summer or backpacks full of warm gloves and other essentials in the frigid cold of winter to the homeless, as a Christian, he said he can only see the face of Christ in everyone and act accordingly.

In April of this year, two Catholic Bishops, Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., and Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, stating:

The moral measure of this budget debate is not which party wins or which powerful interests prevail, but rather how those who are jobless, hungry, homeless or poor are treated. Their voices are too often missing in these debates, but they have the most compelling moral claim on our consciences and our common resources.

The Bishops have taken their inspiration from the words of Jesus Christ: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”