Charging interest (Usury):
Judaism: In traditional Jewish law it is forbidden to charge interest upon loans made to other Jews. However, Jews are not forbidden to charge interest on transactions with non-Jews, or Gentiles. Given this double standard, Gentile debtors may have been quick to lay charges of usury against Jewish money-lenders charging even nominal interest or fees. Thus, historically attacks on usury have often been linked to anti-semitic rhetoric, as, for example, in The Merchant of Venice. (okay to charge to others)
Christianity: In 1745, the Catholic teaching on usury was expressed by Pope Benedict XIV in his VIX Pervenit, which strictly forbids the practice as such, although he adds that "entirely just and legitimate reasons arise to demand something over and above the amount due on the contract" .(lamens term Usury is okay as long as you have a contract)
Islam: Usury, indeed, interest of any kind, is forbidden in Islam. (Muslims do not charge or take interest)
2006-10-18
20:35:24
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