Christians in word not deed? wrote:
I recognize most LR readers, being American, are nominally Christian, like their fearless leader. I feel like the brand of Christianity practiced stateside is largely devoid of some of Jesus’ key teachings, especially about charity. Do unto others...
In modern society, Government is our Charity (not necessarily of choice).
As a side bonus, this ensures the Left Hand doesn't know what the Right Hand is doing.
== wrote:
Christians in word not deed? wrote:
I recognize most LR readers, being American, are nominally Christian, like their fearless leader. I feel like the brand of Christianity practiced stateside is largely devoid of some of Jesus’ key teachings, especially about charity. Do unto others...
Compared to where?
Compared with anywhere else I’ve travelled, the average American is more protective of his or her personal things and less interested in the health and welfare of the community. Capitalism run amok for personal gain at the expense of collective well being.
Literally then, anywhere else. That I’ve been anyway.
== wrote:
[quote]Christians in word not deed? wrote:
I recognize most LR readers, being American, are nominally Christian, like their fearless leader. I feel like the brand of Christianity practiced stateside is largely devoid of some of Jesus’ key teachings, especially about charity. Do unto others...
The main teaching of Jesus of Nazareth regarding alms (not exactly "charity" as you term it, which is properly a different concept, "caritas" in the Latin) is not "Do unto others..." (which was about summing up Law and Prophets), but rather that you should do it in secret.
The relevant gospel passages.
Matthew 6: 6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
For example... wrote:
Compared with anywhere else I’ve travelled, the average American is more protective of his or her personal things and less interested in the health and welfare of the community. Capitalism run amok for personal gain at the expense of collective well being.
Literally then, anywhere else. That I’ve been anyway.
As Lenin both put it: He who would not work, shall not eat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_who_does_not_work,_neither_shall_he_eatThe Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race.
Never had a homeless person ask me to buy him (or her) a house.
vivalarepublica wrote:
Tough break that someone else's poverty and suffering annoys you for a brief period of time while they sleep on the streets.
I am up and about the city early in the day. I run across many people sleeping on the streets. That is a much harder life than whatever minor inconveniences I have to endure.
Anyways, I just acknowledge them, say I got nothing, and they go on to the next person. It's as natural to them as complaining about minor inconveniences is to you.
Yeah who cares when some drunk guy chases you full speed and you have to sprint away hoping he doesn't have a knife. Free speed workout right?
Who cares that the formerly nice bike paths have become no-go zones after dusk. Just carry pepper spray and quit complaining about minor inconveniences.
Who cares that the generous shop's bathrooms are always "out of order" now and probably infected with MRSA. Part and parcel of urbantopia life.
you don't have to give money. in fact, your money would probably be better spent supporting some non-profit that works with them, if you want to donate.
I would encourage you to show some empathy though. most of them come from broken homes, are veterans, or had other traumatic life experiences. being homeless is not a choice. I know someone who works with homeless youth. crazy stories. these kids have typically been beaten at home, or totally neglected, some of them their parents threw them out of their house because they're gay etc.
honestly, that's one of the saddest aspect of this in many aspects great country. why not spend a little less on the next war in some Middle Eastern country that nobody benefits from except the "military-industrial complex" (for lack of a better word), and more on them. no need to raise taxes.
Maybe actually read the Bible, already? wrote:
== wrote:
[quote]Christians in word not deed? wrote:
I recognize most LR readers, being American, are nominally Christian, like their fearless leader. I feel like the brand of Christianity practiced stateside is largely devoid of some of Jesus’ key teachings, especially about charity. Do unto others...
The main teaching of Jesus of Nazareth regarding alms (not exactly "charity" as you term it, which is properly a different concept, "caritas" in the Latin) is not "Do unto others..." (which was about summing up Law and Prophets), but rather that you should do it in secret.
The relevant gospel passages.
Matthew 6: 6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Whoever wrote Matthew should have read the old testament which also states that the highest form of charity is given anonymously
Dave99 wrote:
when ever my they ask my grandpa for money he literally tells them to gtf away from him. i dont like it either but i just tell them no
you should become homeless...put the shoe on the other foot
West Coast Runner wrote:
vivalarepublica wrote:
Tough break that someone else's poverty and suffering annoys you for a brief period of time while they sleep on the streets.
I am up and about the city early in the day. I run across many people sleeping on the streets. That is a much harder life than whatever minor inconveniences I have to endure.
Anyways, I just acknowledge them, say I got nothing, and they go on to the next person. It's as natural to them as complaining about minor inconveniences is to you.
Yeah who cares when some drunk guy chases you full speed and you have to sprint away hoping he doesn't have a knife. Free speed workout right?
Who cares that the formerly nice bike paths have become no-go zones after dusk. Just carry pepper spray and quit complaining about minor inconveniences.
Who cares that the generous shop's bathrooms are always "out of order" now and probably infected with MRSA. Part and parcel of urbantopia life.
Jamin, that's a separate issue than someone simply asking you for money. If these things are problems in your community and truly bother you, maybe it's time that you attempt to find solutions to homelessness in your community.
i love homeless people confronting me for money - it gives me a chance to get rid of all my expired groupons.
For example... wrote:
== wrote:
Compared to where?
Compared with anywhere else I’ve travelled, the average American is more protective of his or her personal things and less interested in the health and welfare of the community. Capitalism run amok for personal gain at the expense of collective well being.
Literally then, anywhere else. That I’ve been anyway.
Ever been to a third world country? How about China? I saw a lot of China and what I saw was a lot of poverty and not a lot of concern for others. If you want to see countries that care, look for counties with good health care systems, like Canada and Scandinavian countries.
"I hate homeless people confronting me for money"
Your grammar choice is telling: you hate people, not deeds.
Compare: "I hate being confronted for money by homeless people"
A the famous american love for other people. doing good. Giving all your money to charity because jesus said rich people cant get into heaven. caring about the unfortunate. all the christian values that a under threat by islam. You guys are the heroes
I tell them I'm saving to get my junk snipped off. It buys me enough time to sashay out of reach.
I hate it too. Because every time it happens it makes me hate myself. For refusing to help them, when I have so much in life and they have so little. It makes me feel like such a coward as I live my comfortable life and just turn my head aside.
No overhead involved, all volunteers wrote:
What I hate more, is trendy hipyoungsters confronting me to donate to their charity to help starving ppl thousands of miles away.
Not to deflect from the topic but wow those people are annoying too. There used to be guys here who would forcibly "give" walkers-by a copy of their latest CD and then follow them around, physically intimidating people demanding a "donation" for it until they gave it back. Fortunately the police cracked down on that.
You know what’s worse than the homeless asking for money? People who aren’t homeless asking for money. It always gives me a laugh when someone wearing better shoes and clothes than me asks me for money claiming to be homeless and their kids are starving.
I have budgeted $100 per day and carry 10 x $10 with me very day. I give one to every homeless that ask until I run out for the day. Whatever I have left in my pocket is spending money.