Open economy leads people away from religion: Cardinal
Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said on Saturday that the open economy had created a consumerist society which had, in turn, led people to deviate from religion.
He said this at Kalamulla after blessing the new wooden altar at the church.
The Cardinal said Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to save people from sin and what he did at the Last Supper continues even today among Catholics who gather around the altar to help develop the spiritual relationship among them.
“With the onset of the open economy, people gradually began to deviate from religious practices. It is a common phenomenon in many countries in the world. Society is heading towards a situation where they reject religion while some people use religion as an ornament or like a coat which can be removed any time one wishes,” the Cardinal said.
He said religion should not be confined to rituals and that what was essential was to lead a principled life.
The Cardinal stressed the importance of serving others while being useful of one’s own life which was very short.
(Source: Daily Mirror – By Sunil S. Thantriarachchi)
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So my dear Cardinal,
You would like people to pray in Churches and Viharas and go back home and sleep with no food to eat?
You are similar to the jailed Australian Cardinal Pell,
Keep the people hungry and feed God to them to ensure they come to Church and donate a couple of rupees with which you have a fabulous life.
You crossed the line dear Cardinal. Now you are trying to teach us economics. USA and other Western Countries having an open Economy (not tightening the belt economy) you mean the Christians there are not religious?
Surprised by the comments given.
The Cardinal has hit the nail on the head.
A consumer- led society does detract from a principled way of life.
If money and what it can get becomes the focal point of our endeavours, then the margins between ” right” and “wrong” can become blurred.
Take some of our politicians for instance.
Greed, hunger for money and assets have caused them to deviate from an honest path, which has also impacted on our welfare.
The West is a prime example of consumerism overtaking religion. The number of people attending church is dwindling. However religious rituals such church weddings remain popular.
The Cardinal is merely pointing out that we should be mindful of not falling into a capitalist trap, and forfeiting a principled life; appropriate advice from a religious leader.