Religious organisations within civil society
ly in the role they can play within the field of social care and welfare. In the Dutch situation, this increased role is obvious through the fact that religious organisations are invited to fulfill a social and political role to minimise social problems and to work for improvement of the social environment. This article is based on literature research and discusses the theological pros and cons for taking on such a social and/or political role. It will discuss the English theologian O’Donovan and the way he offers inspiration to religious organisations as they try to find an appropriate attitude within civil society. The focus will be on Christian churches, though the arguments brought forward are also partly valid for other religious organisations. Legislative changes in the Netherlands Since 2007, the Dutch government has made major changes in its social legislation; the establishment of the Social Support Act is an important part of this. The Act implies a huge shift within the whole system of social care and welfare. One of the most interesting changes is the fact that the national and local governments are no longer the primary responsible parties when people are in need. This responsibility is instead shifted towards people’s natural social network, such as family, friends, neighbours or church people. Only if this network is not able to help in solving the problem(s), the government will step in.
Deus Caritas Est
LA UNIDAD DEL AMOR EN LA CREACION Y EN LA HISTORIA DE LA SALVACION Un problema de lenguaje [2] 3 «Eros» y «agape», diferencia y unidad [3-8] 4 La novedad de la fe biblica [9-11] 7 Jesucristo, el amor de Dios encarnado [12-15] 9 Amor a Dios y amor al projimo [16-18] 10
Widow, Orphan, and the Poor in Ancient near Eastern Legal and Wisdom Literature
N ANY civilized modern state the rights of widow, orphan, and the poor are protected. This protection is in many cases seen as a product of religious zeal and regarded as a religious duty. Indeed, the whole idea of Muslim charity, one of the pillars of that religion, is born from a realization of this duty. This religion requires kindness to orphans and widows and charity to the poor.1 The same idea is present in Christianity. Through the influence of Christianity orphanages were erected for the protection of orphans and special laws were promulgated to protect the weak. It is thus of some interest to