Positive congressman story, for once.
On the second anniversary of his grown daughter's death.
Link: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/3759434/van-orden-and-roadside-warriors-save-11-year-old/#google_vignette
Replies to: Positive congressman story, for once.
Can't read the whole article, but that is great.
We can have societies where "love thy neighbor as thyself" is the default mode. It just takes individual humans deciding to be decent, charitable and kind. It's also infectious. If someone is nice to you, it makes you want to be nice to others.
Exactly.
Which is why we don't want to replace private charity entirely with government entitlements. And, that is why "social justice" is so insidious and anti-Catholic at its heart. When all is said and done, it undermines the core of Jesus' message by eliminating private charity and replacing it with government enforced redistribution of wealth.
Sorry...I know I'm taking this in a direction you weren't going. Your post is 100% correct on its own, though. I'm not trying to take away from it.
Well said. Also, govt takeover (communism) brings all ships lower w/out even delivering equality
There is always a ruling class - a group of privileged who live by a different set of rules. Those espousing communism (always liberals) imagine themselves in this group.
They also use the very base, anti-Christian tactic of creating class envy to achieve their end.
Just ask any non-ruling class person who has escaped from a communist country to the US what they think. It is the same answer over and over from all different cultures that have tried communism. It never delivers its' deceitful promise.
Greed for power is far worse than greed for money.
(no message)
Who's calling for replacement of Private Charities?...We need both...especially in an era with
massive Wealth Inequality...
...here's a summary of why the flip side...e.g. elimination of government aid programs...can't be counted on...btw, what's your source for the Social Justice, insidious "Antii-Catholic" comment?...if Mother Teresa were around, she might have something to say about that.
-----------------------
AI Overview
Relying solely on private charity is insufficient to address societal needs due to several key limitations:
Addressing systemic issues
Charities are often designed to address immediate symptoms of problems rather than their root causes.
For example, according to the Harvard Political Review, charities may provide aid to individuals experiencing homelessness, but they cannot solve systemic issues like affordable housing shortages or lack of government benefits that contribute to the problem.
According to Stanford scholar Rob Reich, while charities like soup kitchens and shelters provide crucial assistance, without policy changes, problems like hunger and homelessness will persist.
Inequitable distribution of resources
Wealthy donors often direct their contributions to causes they personally prefer, such as higher education and medical centers, states Inequality.org.
This can lead to a disproportionate allocation of resources, where those most in need may not receive the assistance they require.
Furthermore, notes Inequality.org, only a small portion of charitable giving effectively transfers resources from the rich to the poor.
Lack of sustainability and predictability
Charitable giving can fluctuate, particularly during economic downturns, according to Giving Compass.
When the economy falters, individuals and organizations may reduce their donations, leaving charities with fewer resources at a time when demand for their services may be increasing.
For instance, during the Great Recession, total giving in the U.S. fell significantly, reports BetterWorld.
This unpredictability makes it difficult for charities to plan for the long term and guarantee sustained support for their beneficiaries.
Potential for reinforcing existing inequalities
Some argue that relying on private charity can inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities by allowing wealthy individuals to exert influence over social causes through their donations and the creation of private foundations.
The Nation suggests that philanthropy, when structured in a way that favors the interests of the wealthy, can become a platform for private power rather than solely serving the public good.
In conclusion, while private charity plays a vital role in providing immediate relief and addressing specific needs, it is not a sufficient solution for tackling systemic societal problems due to its limitations in addressing root causes, ensuring equitable resource distribution, guaranteeing sustainability, and potential for perpetuating inequalities. A comprehensive approach that combines charitable efforts with government policies and programs aimed at structural change is crucial for building a more just and equitable society.
--------------------
No worries, I appreciate what you added
I am fairly anti-organized religion at a personal level. I was raised Catholic and when my wife chose to become Catholic, my response was this: "If you are doing this because you think it would make my mother happy, then don't do it. If you are doing it for yourself, I will fully support you through the process.". Turns out that's what she wanted to do and I was her hypocritical sponsor.
I am very interested in religion and I like to take pieces from each of them. I think that there is a ton to gain from the ancient wisdom that people chose to write down and preserve for future generations. My quarrel with many religions is the arrogance and exclusivity of "I Know and if you don't agree, you will go to my God's hell".
So anyways, I heard this recently from the Mo Gawdat AI podcast I posted a week or so ago.
"Mo Gawdat's "Fruit Salad" approach to religion is a personal philosophy where he selectively embraces the positive aspects and wisdom found within various religious traditions, while choosing to disregard elements he doesn't find constructive. "
This is what I have been trying to do most of my life. Take the good parts from each. So, here's my question to you as a devout catholic, what pieces should I take from Catholicism? I already mentioned "Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself". And I'm also a really big fan of the serenity prayer. What else do you think?