Non-expert thoughts on why `we' (development types) are interested in `it' (religion)

David Hirschmann, International Development Program, School of International Service, American University

a) Impact on 'private' behaviors: e.g. marriage, birth, death, puberty, choice, polygamy, divorce, ambition, gender relations, alcohol, drugs, child punishment; that in turn affects public or social behavior: e.g. gender relations, population, credit, reproductive health, disease (HIV AIDS), education, employment and public safety.

b) Attitudes to causation: e.g. disease, stress, economic failure, distress, coincidence; relevance of science and technology, witchcraft ,good spells), that in turn affect attitudes to solutions & incentives, and `the future'- 'rational' steps; (hypothesis: if we do A, B will happen) - e.g. training, investment, inoculations; prayer alone, sensible prayer (don't pray for rain in the dry season), prayer + action.

c) Attitudes to property, property rights and nature: Animist - God's attention not restricted to human beings - also to animals, plants, rivers; rather than commodity for buying and selling - affects environment policies and practices - affects to capitalism & private ownership. `Native title': traditional rights, based on traditional customs.

d) Perception of justice and good development: Responsibilities toward the poor: know their place (caste), wait till the life hereafter, sharing, charity, tithe, 'good samaritan,' 'brother's keeper;' and attitudes to the very rich/successes of capitalism (getting to heaven - 'eye of the needle'), need for humility; charity vs development/sustainability

e) Proselytizing and development (focus on poor) Nation of Islam in US, Moslem Brotherhood in Egypt, Hamas in Palestine, Christian Missionaries in colonial and present times. Charismatic Churches in Africa: focus on poor and community welfare, Islam in Africa (with aid and schools)

f) Human rights and choices: Affects legal system, women's and children's rights and responsibilities, child labor, sexual orientation; choice of religion: apostasy punishable by death in Saudi Arabia; some states in India ban evangelists from using “allurement” in converting Hindu Untouchables. Associational tendencies and services/civil society. Huge component of civil society, affects depth and range of social capital, trust & role and character of NGOs & civil society may deepen, broaden, bridge or divide.

g) Diverging Interpretations of Key Concepts: (Fundamentalist, contextual, material explanations/

adaptive/evolving interpretations) e.g. Islam & democracy; notions of authority, and shura

(consultation) and Ijma (consensus), Christian and Islam on interest rates; Christian and Jewish

notion of usury, role of women (`feminist Islam' challenging Islamic theology/thinking & history

to reclaim rights; Catholic Church on abortion, divorce, role of gays and women in the church.

h) Powerful Channels of Communication & Public Influence: Can oppose or support development message: negative or positive stereotypes of other religions, peace and conflict, HIV AIDS education, sex education, girls education, microfinance, use of condoms, etc.