Usury refers to the practice of charging excessive or unreasonably high interest rates on loans, typically to vulnerable or desperate borrowers who have few other options. Usury has been widely criticized for many reasons, including:
- Exploitation: Charging high interest rates is often viewed as a form of exploitation, taking advantage of someone’s desperate financial situation for personal gain.
- Debt traps: High-interest loans can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt, making it difficult or impossible to repay the loan, and leading to financial ruin.
- Unfairness: Usury is often seen as unfair because it places an unfair burden on the borrower, who may have little choice but to accept the terms of the loan.
- Social harm: Usury can also harm society as a whole, by contributing to economic inequality and instability.
In many cultures and religions, usury is considered morally wrong, and in some cases, it is even illegal. Instead, many financial institutions and organizations promote responsible lending practices that are fair, transparent, and help to promote financial stability for all individuals and communities.