Philanthropy in the World's Traditions

Christian Century, March 10, 1999 by Jerry Dean Weber

As one who assists Presbyterian congregations with the establishment of endowments, I read Said Amir Arjomand's essay with particular interest. A professor of sociology at SUNY at Stony Brook, Arjomand discusses philanthropy, the law and public policy in Islam. He shows how waqf--which we would translate as endowment or legal foundation--operates as an instrument of public policy in Islam. In contrast, most of the churches that I have worked with understand that a portion of their endowment's work goes toward mission or ministry with persons outside their own religious community. In many cases churches see endowments as instruments of congregational policy, and forget that they could be used as agents of change.

Amanda Porterfield, professor of religious studies at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, writes about the unintended consequences of philanthropy. In her history of the Mount Holyoke Missionaries in northwest Persia, western India, and southeast Africa, she explores philanthropy's imperialistic connotations. Her essay makes us aware that careful thought must go into charity and giving, and that we must be concerned about the long-term consequences of our philanthropy.

The three essays that end the book give important insights into the way philanthropy is conditioned by specific national cultures and histories. Adele Lindenmeyr focuses on the influence of Russia's history of authoritarian paternalism. Vivienne Shue describes the resurgence of both individual and social philanthropy in China. And Andrees A. Thompson and Leilah Landim outline the development of a new form of philanthropy in Latin America, one sensitive to the area's cultural and religious heritage.

The cross-cultural understandings this book provides can do much to help us determine the distinctive shape and form American religious philanthropy might take in the future.

Reviewed by Jerry Dean Weber, development officer of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana.