TheRealMafoo said:
Yea, because it's not the failure of the guy who doesn't provide for himself. What ever happened to personal responsibility? |
Let me take this from a Christian standpoint...
The Christian and the Christian church IS failing at meeting the needs of the poor. For a long time, the church was the primary institution (as well as it's members) for welfare needs across America (that's not to say it was the only, mind you). Unfortunately, the church got greedy and stupid, and began to give up their place in Welfare, which is why the government has so rapidly taken over.
Christians are to give 10% of their income to the church, which in turn uses all of (or the majority) of that money to help the poor. Unfortunately, many greedy, unChristian pastors and laity have instead used that money to build bigger churches, and give smaller amounts to the poor and needy.
That's not to say that the individual has no responsibility. Again, as a Christian, we are nearly-demanded to give to the poor and help them. That isn't to say that everyone shouldn't give (every single human should absolutely give of their time and money to help those less fortunate), but with Chrisitanity, it's been codified and part of our moral fabric. Unfortunately, with a lot of people (Christian and non-Christian alike), morality is relative, and there's no urgency to help the poor - We'd rather outsource it to someone else, like Uncle Sam.
At some point in the future, I am going to start a church where 90% of all tithes and offerings taken go to support the needy, homeless, and starving, with the remaining 10% to be used for upkeep. It sickens me when I see church budgets that have 90% of the money going toward salary, and mortgages, with the remaining 10% being used for anything else.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
