Monday, June 03, 2013
Interfaith Generosity
Recently I wrote a blog about philanthropy and mused about the significant gifts of wealthy donors. Since then I saw an article about an unassuming Canadian couple who made a multi-million dollar contribution to McGill University to establish a program for interfaith studies. Barbara and Patrick Keenan have given five million to establish the chair for this program, which is a first in Canada. There are other programs in comparative religions, but not interfaith.
Mr Keenan was a minng engineer and saw the level of misunderstanding about religions while working around the world. Patrick is a Roman Catholic while Barbara is United Church, so they have been enriched by their own differences through the years. They see this work as even more important, post 911.
I would certainly agree that this is an important endeavour, and it's good to know that there are folk who are willing to put their money where their thoughts are.
How about your thoughts on this one?
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2 comments:
I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, it's an wonderful gift for McGill and does address one of the big political issues of our time. Who knows what could come out of this chair on a scholarship or eventual policy level.
On the other hand, couldn't five million dollars have been used on other causes of a more immediate nature? I'm thinking organizations like food banks, shelters for women and others could use that kind of cash more immediately with more of an impact.
I think I agree with IanD ... it will take a long time to bring understanding between various faiths ... and even longer to bring about tolerance - and the number of people who will be exposed to this kind of teaching, at only one university, will be limited... we should still aim for that understanding, and for tolerance, , but more immediate concerns for alleviating dire needs in our society (and especially in our own country) could be addressed to a great extent, with such a generous amount of money - clean water and basic housing/shelter for some of ournative /aboriginal communities is another possible recipient of such funds
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