Tapestry of Faith: The Wi$dom Path: An Adult Program on Money, Spirit, and Life

Alternate Activity 1: TED Talk – Income Inequality

Part of The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 25 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Downloadable video of the TED Talk by Richard Wilkinson, “How Economic Inequality Harms Societies” (16:55)
  • A computer with a projection screen, digital projector, and speakers or a large monitor

Preparation for Activity

  • Download and preview the video. The video has on-screen captioning. You may also wish to download the video transcript and copy it for participants.
  • Queue video and test equipment.
  • Arrange seating so all participants can view the screen and hear the video.

Description of Activity

Show the video.

Invite immediate responses. Then lead a discussion with these questions:

  • Were you surprised by the idea that there is a strong correlation between social problems and economic inequality? Why or why not?
  • How do the economic differences among us matter in our local community?
  • How do they matter in our congregation?
  • How are you called to respond to the reality of economic inequality given our Unitarian Universalist Principles of “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations” and “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”?