The Forum on Poverty was tonight at the Callaway Public Library. About thirty people including all the speakers were in there. It was nicely said and done. The speakers on Poverty were Cynthia Kramer, Lawyer and professor at William Woods University, Robin Acree of Grass Roots Organizing, and Brenda Rose of Central Missouri Community Action each spoke about their personal and professional experiences in with poverty. Then five people responded with respect to poverty as it relates to their belief system. There was a Humanist, a Buddist, a Catholic, a Moslem and a Pagan. The director of the Fulton Housing Authority aslo gave his perspective.
The consensus seemed to be that we each need to listen better and strive to do better for others. We need to try to see how issues look from the other person's point of view. And then we need to create a government that is more responsive to the needs of the poor. There was consensus that any faith or ethical way of living including caring for others directly and in asking ourselves, 'How will this action improve the lives of others?' each time we do anything.
Speakers each quoted their own favorites. Three stand out now, though others were just as good.
That person is not a perfect Muslim who eateth his fill, and leaveth his neighbors hungry.-Prophet Muhammed
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Jesus
The personal is political.