Local religious leaders have expressed concern in their Lunar New Year’s message that a financial crisis affecting some parts of the world could have a negative impact on Hong Kong. The message was released today ahead of the Chinese Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23. In their message, the Colloquium of Six Religious Leaders of Hong Kong warns people to “save for a rainy day” and guard against economic adversity that is currently plaguing the international community. Good welfare benefits in many countries are taken for granted and thus breed laziness; sometimes people resort to violent protests to defend vested interests and oppose new policies to reduce these benefits, the message says. “If there is no effective solution, the crisis will strike globally,” warned the religious leaders, including Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, who currently holds the rotating chair of the colloquium. The other leaders belong to the Confucian Academy, Buddhist association, Chinese Muslim association, Taoist association and the Hong Kong Christian Council. Taking note that people fare differently because of their own unique personality, mentality, diligence and luck, the leaders recognized it is inevitable the gap between the haves and have-nots will widen. To try and offset this they called on the government to focus on creating more equal opportunities and to reduce the enmity of the poor toward the rich through a fairer distribution of resources. The religious fraternity also reminded the public that technology should be used for the benefit of mankind and its advancement should be on the basis of good morality. The spirit of religion helps improve wisdom, steadfastness, and distinguishes between good and evil, they said. Related reports: Leaders call for good business practiceReligious leaders urge fortitude, compassion in hard times