A TRUE STORY ABOUT CULTURE IN THE U.S.

South Central Texas News | 23 September 2004 | Hagar 2nd

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

The family of L. wanted the church to put on a baby shower for her but the leaders of the church declined due to the illegitmacy of the unfortunate fetus. So, the folks got permission to use the church and put on their own baby shower. I've never seen them work so hard at moving tables and chairs in place, because they don't touch a thing when we have a potluck dinner. They just come and eat (and don't bring food either). It is all almost unbelievable, but it IS the truth.

[1stMarylandRegiment]

They just come and eat

All that is yours is mine; and all mine is yours.
These are my gifts to you, freely given, to use as I have taught you. Go forth and use them according to my will and to further my word in the world.

[TwoWolves]

That attitude is fine, if that was the agreement up front. However, the tone of the story suggests that there was no such up front agreement. And the fact that both parties involved were (supposedly) Christians does not entitle one to take advantage of the other.

Your line "sounds" biblical, but I don't believe that it actually exists anywhere in the Bible. If it does, you'll have to supply chapter and verse. Otherwise, all you're doing is justifying theft.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Pretty hard to endure, but we do. Just can't believe people can grow up thinking like that. Must have graduate with a Ph D in Democrat Deceit & Denial

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Otherwise, all you're doing is justifying theft.

I believe a lot of people are into the above. It is all I can do to keep from screaming I am so angry.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

All that is yours is mine; and all mine is yours.

And all had all things in common? When they've produced NOTHING, how can they help anyone else? All they can do is help themselves to yours. I forgive you for your thoughtless comment.

[ikka]

Chapter and verse please?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Thanks for your understanding. This is the tip of the iceberg of what could be reported. It is just shocking.

[djf]

I submitted a short essay to Claire which she put on her website.

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/2110/RA_980717.html

[charlezmartel]

If you're interested in the best analysis of this sort of behaviour, I suggest you get a copy of "Life at the Bottom- the worldview that makes the underclass" by Theodore Dalrymple. Alternatively, do a google search for this author and start reading anything he's written. Although he writes about this form of social pathology in England, it is the same story here as well. This will never change, and will only worsen, as long as we accept, embrace, and reward such behaviour.

"Sic Transit Glorea Munde"

[TwoWolves]

And sad. We've now raised at least two generations of people who think this way, and the third is up and coming. No sense of personal responsibility, no ambition, no shame. Just looking for the next handout, or failing that, the next thing that they can lay hands on.

And it's our own fault, for letting our government continue to provide handouts to freeloaders. If the government is going to pay them, they should at least get some work out of them, instead of making them completely dependent.

[Tired of Taxes]

A large segment of U.S. society has taken on a mentality of "someone owes me something".

And gov't programs continue to further that "entitlement" mentality, too. My parents are senior citizens who worked hard their whole lives (with no one's help) to get ahead. They live in a modest house, finally paid off, and they were ready to settle back and enjoy their golden years. But HUD moved in a "family" next door who harrass and threaten them and vandalize their property (as well as terrorize the other neighbors, too).

I found out a HUD-funded program is paying part of this family's mortgage. So, my parents, as taxpayers, are helping to fund this family's mortgage, and the worst part is there's no way to evict them. A recent newspaper article lauded the HUD program for its "success" in "helping" families. Meanwhile, folks like mine are being pushed out of their homes.

It's the "entitlement crowd" who know how to play the system VS. the hardworking folks who believe in pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps, and the entitlement crowd is winning.

[Khurkris]

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. KJV - John 17:10

The other part - "These are my gifts to you, freely given, to use as I have taught you. Go forth and use them according to my will and to further my word in the world."

I'm not sure about.

[vpintheak]

This talks about the Spritual gifts, not earthly possesions like food. That is the key difference, wouldn't you agree?

[TwoWolves]

Thanks. :) And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. KJV - John 17:10

Taken in context, this is Jesus talking to His Father about the disciples. It has nothing to do with earthly possessions or anything of the kind. The other part sounds as though it comes from an extra-biblical text, like the apocrypha, or a cult text, like the Book of Mormon. (I could be wrong.) In any event, my guess is that the line is taken completely out of context, just as the verse above was. My minister tells me that "A verse taken out of context is a pretext for a proof text." :)

[ikka]

Here is a verse for you:

“Those who do not work should not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

And a question to ponder: do you feel that L., above, is living up to this verse: Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Or does her eating her neighbor's food without being invited count as "work"?

[Tacis]

Your story does not ring true! It reads like something that Jason what's-his-face at the NYT would write to accomodate his white bosses perception of black culture. I do not believe your story is true, it is fiction.

[TwoWolves]

Could you be more specific about what doesn't ring true? I have no trouble believing that something like this could happen, so perhaps you could enlighten us?

[ikka]

There is a sort of person who will jump at the opportunity to show themselves "liberal-minded", "giving" etc. by making gestures towards the most abject excuses for human beings; in a perverse way, they feel better about themselves.

Rather than give Ms. Mom what she needs, i.e. some guidance, they rush to show their "love" which is not love, but merely indulgence and self-congratulation.

[TNdandelion]

This is happening with the kids across the street. Losers...all three of them. I used to feel sorry for the mother (recently widowed) however, after years of watching her interaction with her sons, I have decided that she is a typical enabler.

But let me tell you--they aren't born that way. They are created and the people to point the fingers at are the parents.

Does the parent give the child every little thing their heart desires--especially with no effort on their part? Does the parent deny them any responsibility and protect them from all the consequences of failure?

Certainly, the children are to blame for their individual actions, but overprotective, indulgent parents have some blame for raising children without a clue.