Plenty

[Ted]

JAB

As per my post above to ACC. I was not talking in any personal way and if you took it that way I truly apologize. It was not the intent. Once again perhaps I was not clear enough.

Shalom
Ted

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Some people have problems that prevent them from holding down a job.

That's why I used the term "most."

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Ted

Acc

I am truly sorry if you took that as personal as that was not the intent. There are those who take that attitude. I have not only seen them I have met them. I was judging no one on this issue. I don't know any of you personally beyond the forum. Perhaps I was not clear enough.

Shalom
Ted

I didn't think you referred to me; I thought you referred to JAB. But you've addressed it already.

[Ted]

What I am getting at is that not only here in my country but in most around the world there are folks who do not have enough beyond a bare existence. There are so many in this world who are in this position and yet countries burn unsold grain. We are now turning grain into fuel while thousands are starving. Yet in many countries there are those who are living way above what is beyond being comfortable. I see this as systemic injustice and unless those of us who care work towards some kind of solution such injustice will continue.

In this case I speak mostly of Canada because I know it best.

Without going into detail my wife and I often do with less in order to see that those who have too little get a little more.

Of course there will always be those who appear not to want to work but live off others but we really don't know their personal situation: lazy? Mentally ill? Lack of knowledge and understanding? Lack of education? Who am I to judge?

If we are Christians we are obligated to do what we can in order to make life better for those less fortunate than we are.

None of this, is of course new. It has been around for thousands of years. The rich get richer and the poor poorer. Jesus was absolutely opposed to this situation. It was and is an systemic injustice.

Shalom
Ted

Originally Posted by Ted

JAB

As per my post above to ACC. I was not talking in any personal way and if you took it that way I truly apologize. It was not the intent. Once again perhaps I was not clear enough.

Shalom
Ted

Accepted and in the past. Passionate views have a tendency, on occasion, to make us say things we may not intend under normal circumstances. I'm sure I've been guilty of the same.

[Ted]

JAB

Thanks.

I do get very passionate about systemic injustice. Here we often hear the term legislated poverty. Governments promise to eliminate poverty but never carry through. I believe if they did they would find that many other things like policing etc. would in the end cost less.

I'm sure there are a few government ministers who know my name as well. They really don't like the questions I ask.

Shalom
Ted

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Ted

JAB

Thanks.

I do get very passionate about systemic injustice. Here we often hear the term legislated poverty. Governments promise to eliminate poverty but never carry through. I believe if they did they would find that many other things like policing etc. would in the end cost less.

I'm sure there are a few government ministers who know my name as well. They really don't like the questions I ask.

Shalom
Ted

I believe you will find that no matter how much the poorest of us have, they will still be the poorest of us. Therefore, they will still be in poverty, compared to the rest of our population. What we call poverty-stricken here in North America is rich, fat, and lazy in most other parts of the world. We've lost perspective as a society, imo.

Originally Posted by Ted

What I am getting at is that not only here in my country but in most around the world there are folks who do not have enough beyond a bare existence. There are so many in this world who are in this position and yet countries burn unsold grain. We are now turning grain into fuel while thousands are starving. Yet in many countries there are those who are living way above what is beyond being comfortable. I see this as systemic injustice and unless those of us who care work towards some kind of solution such injustice will continue.

In this case I speak mostly of Canada because I know it best.

Without going into detail my wife and I often do with less in order to see that those who have too little get a little more.

Of course there will always be those who appear not to want to work but live off others but we really don't know their personal situation: lazy? Mentally ill? Lack of knowledge and understanding? Lack of education? Who am I to judge?

If we are Christians we are obligated to do what we can in order to make life better for those less fortunate than we are.

None of this, is of course new. It has been around for thousands of years. The rich get richer and the poor poorer. Jesus was absolutely opposed to this situation. It was and is an systemic injustice.

Shalom
Ted

Systemic injustice? Hmmmm, trying to wrap my brain around that.

I grew up outside a small town, (500 population when I was about Jr. High school, a mere 20,000 in the whole county the year I was born.) That town and the other four around did not have a hungry person in it, nor anyone who lacked clothing or a roof over thier heads. And nobody went ot a government agency for help either, there were two churches that met the needs of all the poeple, if there was a need.

The systemic injustice, if I am viewing your meaning correctly Ted, is that the governments take over for what the church should be doing.

Put the burden for care back on the churches and you'll solve that problem.

[Accountable]

Originally Posted by Jester

Systemic injustice? Hmmmm, trying to wrap my brain around that.

I grew up outside a small town, (500 population when I was about Jr. High school, a mere 20,000 in the whole county the year I was born.) That town and the other four around did not have a hungry person in it, nor anyone who lacked clothing or a roof over thier heads. And nobody went ot a government agency for help either, there were two churches that met the needs of all the poeple, if there was a need.

The systemic injustice, if I am viewing your meaning correctly Ted, is that the governments take over for what the church should be doing.

Put the burden for care back on the churches and you'll solve that problem.

Yup!Yup!Yup! Unfortunately, even our churches are trying to push their responsibilities off on the government. Rather than getting politically active they should be building neighborhood coalitions to clean up their towns and neighborhoods. They need to get out of Washington's business and get back to their own work. Go back to gathering charitable contributions instead of writing gov't grants for tax dollars.

Originally Posted by Accountable

Yup!Yup!Yup! Unfortunately, even our churches are trying to push their responsibilities off on the government. Rather than getting politically active they should be building neighborhood coalitions to clean up their towns and neighborhoods. They need to get out of Washington's business and get back to their own work. Go back to gathering charitable contributions instead of writing gov't grants for tax dollars.

Absolutely correct!

Churches should reach out in a concentric geographical ring around them and take care of all they can afford to care for. I tell my young student in sunday school to use the military model of perimeter battle aroudn them to go meet the needs of others, those closest to you get it first, work your way outward towards others. Thats how God operates, from the heart outward. It makes sense.

One on one connection changes lives and affects others, an impersonal handout has limited ability to change anything for real. To help others is an act of compassion, just giving money doesnt feel all that compassionate to me. I'd rather roll up my sleeves and clean someones house, or fix thier car, or have them over for meals or bring meals to them, I want to see thier face, and extend my friendship.