Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1943 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on June 24, 2016 (check local listings).
Mormon Welfare – There may be other charities that are larger, or more helpful, but the welfare tradition within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints must be one of the world’s best. As Lucky Severson reports from Salt Lake City, the program supplies food, clothes and all kinds of necessary care to those in need – Mormon or not. The gifts are always free and the men and women who do the work – growers, packers, distributors and caregivers – are volunteers.
Costa Rican Quakers – In the 1950’s, when there was still a draft forcing many young men into military service, a group of Quakers, many of them from Alabama, decided their religious commitment to non-violence forced them to leave this country rather than bear arms. They moved to Costa Rica, in Central America, and helped that country preserve and develop its forests – so much so it is now among the world’s most popular destinations for eco-tourists.  Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Bring a Friend to Mosque – During their holy month of Ramadan, many mosques around the country encourage members to invite non-Muslim friends and neighbors to the special iftar dinner that breaks their daylight fasting. Imam Johari Abdul-Malik of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia describes how the project helps build bridges.
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