Dear Victor,

you proposed an intriguing question. In my opinion, it is necessary to take into account religious characteristics linked to economy and other religious groups. Christian community members are less bound to stringent precepts than other confessions' one. They usually abstain from working during Easter Triduum, Christmas celebrations and Epiphany holydays. If they are particularly observant, they do not eat any meat on friday and during Lent period (40 days), so an economic impact regarding meat consumption could be taken into account only for such little communities; the same can be said about the use of contraceptives (condoms, pills, etc.). If they belong to Jeovah's Witnesses, they also do not accept blood tranfusions. Christian community's relationship with strictly observant Muslim groups can sometimes be complicated, especially regarding sectors mentioned in your research. There is a generally biunivocal tolerance between Christians and Jews; besides, Hebraism is a very minoritary faith in Ghana.

Good luck with your work,

Dave

Dave, thank you very much. Really appreciative.

Victor.

Not sure if I understood the question, but in any case there is no contradiction between been a good 'economist' in any sense of the world and being a Christian.

Many alumni from Theology faculties in the UK work in the Finance sector, and I think this is good - i.e. it is good to have high ethical norms like those learnt by a Theologian applied to that area of economy.

Thanks, Elena.

I thank you very much!

At first glance, the answer to the question is that it is an untenable proposition, because Christian faith is qualitative, while, in marked contrast, economic development is quantitative.

I have heard it said that the stock market appears, on the surface, to be based on concrete, factual, materialistic, scientifically observable data; but, on the other side of the coin, stock markets are, in actuality, based on the imponderable, such as whether investors feel optimistic or pessimistic.

Any scientific research to determine the feasibility of this type of a study would certainly be edifying. The conceptual framework would have to be clearly and comprehensively explained.

The biggest barrier would be in demonstrating some significant or meaningful intersection between "Christian faith" and "economic development." At this point, I see only that both have a highly subjective orientation, such that it is difficult for me to imagine an appropriate terminology, a "common language" to bridge the enormous gap between "Christian faith" and "economic development."

And then there is the problem of organizing the study to avoid conflicts with detractors who might object to your focus on "Christian faith"; why focus on Christianity, which is commonly known for setting its beliefs and practices in opposition to the secular world of business?

Perhaps the stickler word in the question is "measure," which is definitely appropriate to scientific research. Maybe your idea might work if conducted as field work, using surveys and data analysis. There could be a strong sociological component, with lots of data gathered from individuals and categorized into groupings. Theoretically, people who have a strong Christian faith might be hypothesized to have lower incomes, while people who have a weaker Christian faith have very high incomes. Or vice versa. People who have a strong Christian faith have a better standard of living than people who have very little Christian faith.

Now that I have given the discussion question some consideration, I think that it has possibilities!

With my best wishes.

Dear Prof. Victor Selorme Gedzi, an interesting question to be further noticed.

To complement the excellent answer given by Prof. Nancy Ann Watanabe, I could that that the Vatican bank---or as they named in order to cover corruption and money laundering: The Institute for the Works of Religion---could have a "measure" of Christian faith quantified in terms of economic matters, pope and cardinals - an elite.

I am really grateful for the excellent insights from Prof. Nancy Ann Watanabe. You have helped me by problematizing the question. Prof. Contreras, thank you also for the contribution. Very appreciative.

Victor Selorme Gedzi ,

I have now read for the first time your delineation of your scientific research topic, and I quote, as follows:

* * * * * * * * *

"Christian Faith and Economic Development: A Case Study of Christian Workers in Ghana's Public Sector Economy at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region."

The study is delimited to the public education and Health sectors, and the police and the judicial services.

* * * * * * * *

The just quoted documentation in support of your discussion question is quite illuminating and helpful. I would like to congratulate you on your selection of a well-defined area of concentration, which forestalls any doubts about the parameters of your research project.

Thank you for letting me know that my initial reply helped you by "problematizing the question"!

Clearly, you have designed the general discussion question in tandem with your specific scientific research project very nicely, to accommodate generalized answers and more specific replies. Congratulations for this achievement !

I'm looking forward to following this interesting thread, possibly to learn more about Ghana with respect to your chosen area of scientific research. It is your "Castle Keep" in this discussion, which is also amenable to more wide-ranging replies.

With my very best regards and wishes.

Prof. Ann, I am profoundly grateful for your valuable constructive contributions and encouragement. My best regards!

One of the factors that Christianity brings to its adherence is one of realizing personal potential. In several places people are called to improve themselves. For example, in 2 Timothey 2:15 we read, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles [studies and applies] the word of truth." And in Jeremiah 29:11, the prophet declares from God, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

While there may be no direct link between Christian Faith and Economic Development, there tends to be a correlation as a consequence of people improving themselves. As people study the Scriptures, they also tend to study other aspects as well, and in the process, becoming better qualified - either formally or through experience. Consequently, if people apply what they learn to their lives, they should experience some economic development.

In addition, humanitarianism is a by-product of the Christian faith, which helps those less fortunate improve their economic situations.

I hope that helps

Prof Jeffrey, I am grateful for your insight and suggestion too.

Victor GEDZI, congrats! Thank you for an prescient question, and too important to give up on for the many challenges.

Solid supportive words from Watanabe, Contreras, Couzins … have helped, even if pointing to pitfalls. Again, not too long ago, God was a Capitalist God hating the Soviet Union. We have that "dis-ease" even when Bernie Sanders gets a "ticket or two" in the "American Presidential Lottery." Let us avoid another big pitfall" equating "free enterprise" with "freedom." So, please define the domains of "Christian faith" and "economic development" very early in your work, then do offer a critique of current models of underdevelopment since 1492 (at least since then). The Church sanctioned crusades including children's crusades, taking the lands of Native Americans (north & South), then giving them some rations. Hospitals and inns for pilgrims may be great; but do not welcome "development" that hills our parents then adopts us as foster children, who must be grateful - or be eliminated.

I have many verses that talk about Israel failing to protect widows and orphans, charging too much interest ("usury") and invoking God's displeasure and judgment (including exile from Jerusalem and the Holy Land). I can start by simply saying start with the abused notion of "Stewardship" of earth, biodiversity, and all creation, that we find in Genesis 1-3.

I do promise to read again these contributions here and modify my own views or bring additional comments/questions.

Prof. Anil, these are interesting suggestions, and I am really grateful for them.

Regards!

Weber's Protestant Ethic demonstrates how the values espoused by Protestant denominations affect individual behaviour in social and economic contexts. Some Christian values and attitudes affect their economic life. For instance their beliefs about being rich or utilizing the talents before them so it can yield economic growth.

Many thanks, Esther for your insight. Thank you all for your various contributions.

Victor.