Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Jane Addams and humanitarianism

In reading Jane Addams's Twenty Years at Hull House, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between her very humanitarian way of thinking and that of the Bahai faith. Bahai may call for a unity of religions with a belief of God, but Jane Addams calls for a unity of man based upon the teachings of Jesus. Addams's beliefs must have come from the Quaker tradition of peace and brotherhood. Most likely it was her father who instilled this philosophy in her the most. The Baha'i Faith also has a very humanitarian outlook on life, helping with Unicef and other programs to increase living standards around the world. This also seems to be shared in the reading of This Is a Short Relation by Sarah Cheever and Katherine Bates(?). They were quakers as well, trying to increase the living standards of those oppressed by the Inquisition through non-violent means.
The quaker faith is so close to being non-secular with a set of morals designed to be humanitarian. I wonder what they would say if they could conceive of a world of morals without the need for a God or Jesus. Perhaps recognizing Jesus as only a prophet or sage would bring people closer together in the world diversity of religions. Quakerism also seems to teach the original ideals of Christianity without the pomp and circumstance attributed to other Christian sects. Perhaps if those other sects could learn from the Quaker example there would be less violence in the world today. This can be said of any prejudicial thinking of one's own religion superceding another. If the teachings of peace, helping those in need, and turning the other cheek were followed in day-to-day living in the world, there would be less need for violence and more would be accomplished toward the greater good. (The greater good being, enhancing the living standards for all in the world.)

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