1999, p.xx.
[ 44 ]Reliance of the Traveller,o.11.5.
[ 45 ]Similarly, the culture of India has
been profoundly shaped by Hindu
beliefs. For example, belief in the
doctrines of reincarnation and karma
have led to an acceptance of poverty in
Indian society: the man starving in the
street is there because of ‘‘bad karma’’
in his previous life. It should be clear
that such beliefs adversely affect the
progress and development of a society.
Occasionally, some nonCatholics
make similar assertions about certain
poor Catholic countries such as Mexico,
Brazil, and even Ireland. It has been
asserted that such countries are
impoverished due to ‘‘Catholic Church
oppression’’ and a lack of the
