Interest payments are crippling our economy: in 2010 alone, the federal government, states and municipalities had to pay around €63.2 billion in interest. How long will this situation last?
In a comprehensive historical and philosophical work, Andreas Rieger shows why the prohibition of usury is so deeply rooted in all religions. However, with the development of the banking system, this principle was gradually eliminated by Jews and Christians from the Middle Ages onwards.Above all, observant Muslims uphold the ancient teachings in the face of the bankers and “modernizers” of Islamic countries. In their religion, usury is prohibited, as are paper currencies and speculation. Could this be one of the reasons for portraying “Islam” as a new enemy in the era of unbridled financial capitalism?This book is not only limited to criticism, but also offers alternatives. From Chiemgau in Germany to Kelantan in Malaysia, pioneers are looking for a way out of the interest-based currency system, returning to gold-backed currencies, and experimenting with regional currencies.
