I am often intrigued by the ways in which secular work relates to religious work.
A good recent example is the global policy analyses done by the UCLA World Policy Analysis Center. It's work that helps people, governments and agencies around the world have a better understanding of how to protect and minister to the needs of children.
And every major religion tells its adherents to love and protect children -- even if the execution of that mandate often falls short.
As the press release about this work says, a new report "presents never-before-available comparative data on nearly every country in the world, revealing how millions of children across the globe face conditions that limit their opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential."
The thrust of this work is to point out various public policies that, because they're family friendly, wind up helping children achieve their potential. Thus, there is focus on child labor laws, maternity and paternity leave, education and more, as you can read.
And there's a related website, Children's Chances, that puts this information into understandable forms.
As I say, every major religion teaches its adherents to love and care for children. In the Christian tradition, perhaps the quote most often used to illustrate that point comes from these words of Jesus found in the 18th chapter of Matthew:
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Even if faith communities don't always take such admonitions to heart, it's nice to see a secular agency do so.
* * *
A LIFE TERM OR LIFE SENTENCE?
In the wake of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, Mormons are wondering whether a president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also might be able to resign, even though the rules say presidents serve for life. A life term makes some sense in terms of the person serving not being subject to undue outside pressure, but a life term should be voluntary, as it is on the U.S. Supreme Court, not mandatory, which can lead to ridiculous situations.
Comments