Faith and Credit
For people of faith,
responsible lending is a moral concern.
Faith leaders have long been powerful voices against abusive lending, and CRL's Faith-Based Program works to amplify these voices through research and policy, campaign support, and religious reflection.For people of faith, responsible lending is a moral concern. Religious texts warn against usury – the practice of charging excessive or unjust interest – particularly if paying that interest would deprive a person of basic necessities, livelihood or home. Faith-leaders are often on the front lines in the fight against abusive lending, working with families who are grappling with foreclosure and debt and calling for economic empowerment through responsible banking.
Faith and Credit, the Faith-Based Program at Center for Responsible Lending, supports the efforts of the faith community to end predatory lending.
Is 400% too much? Download a congregational discussion guide on Modern Day Usury: the Payday Debt Trap.
Read more about the foreclosure crisis and smart steps to prevent foreclosure in your community in Facing Down Foreclosure: Faith Communities Fight to Save Homes.
Top Articles
- Southern Baptists, Kentucky's largest religious body calls for curbs on payday lending in the state
- Chuck Colson: predatory lending is one of the biggest justice issues of the day
- Underwater homeowner wonders, "What would Jesus do?"
- Episcopalians stand up for ethical behavior and justice in the financial world
- General's wife wages war against predatory lenders
- The Trumpet, Philadelphia's Church of God magazine, reports half of all Americans are "financially fragile".
- Texas Faith for Fair Lending takes on payday and title loans in the Lone Star State.
Religious resources on debt and lending
- On behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference and the Roman Catholic Bishops of Texas, Bishop Joe Vasquez recently testified in support of a current legislative effort to reform payday lending in the Lone Star State.
- Modern Day Usury: the Payday Debt Trap, a church discussion guide
- A Reformed Understanding of Usury for the 21st Century provides history and analysis of lending from a Reformed Christian understanding
- 10% is Enough: An interfaith anti-usury campaign reviews various religious and historical teachings on usury.
