We do have that obligation as a society to care for the poor. However, the way that society can fulfill it’s obligation is through individual charity. . . . .
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And just where does this responsibility come from? Our Constitution? I think not, we are responsibile to give everyone an equal OPPORTUNITY not outcome.
I said
“unfortunately the members of the Catholic Church are not as a whole so generous.”
you answered:
“Speak for yourself sir.”
I spoke for myself, I give until it hurts, I think we all should but I do not believe we should force anyone who disagrees with us to give against his will for the support of others.
You said:
“Nonsense. Santorum does not believe this, and neither does the Church teach it.”
You are wrong on both counts.
The Catholic church teaches that societies who can should support the poor. Santorum and most Republicans believe in a safety net and talk about it all the time. What is the difference between safety net and welfare? Republicans and Democrats simply argue about how much they should steal from one person to give to another. It is all wrong. It sounds nice but you are still stealing from one person and giving his labor or results of it to someone who didn’t earn it.
I believe in welfare only I call it charity. If you are really a Christian then you will do all you can to keep your fellow man from suffering, if you aren’t a Christian you will force someone else to do it for you. Government welfare is the opposite of charity.
“And just where does this responsibility come from?”
To love our neighbour as ourselves.
“I think not, we are responsibile to give everyone an equal OPPORTUNITY not outcome.”
Agreed. But we are still called to do what we can for those who are less fortunate. We cannot pass off on the government and excuse ourselves for not taking action. No, we must take actions ourselves.
It is not charity to steal from our neighbours to provide for the poor.
“I spoke for myself, I give until it hurts, I think we all should but I do not believe we should force anyone who disagrees with us to give against his will for the support of others.”
Agreed wholeheartedly. I don’t see what is to be accomplished by casting aspersions on one another for not giving enough. I cannot speak for what others give, I can only speak for myself.
“The Catholic church teaches that societies who can should support the poor.”
The argument is not whether they should, but the argument is over how. What is the best way to provide for the poor? Through individual charity. Yes, the Church teaches this. You are incorrect here. The Church teaches that charity must be voluntarly - not the result of forced confiscation through taxation.
“Santorum and most Republicans believe in a safety net”
There you go again. Santorum has explicitly said that he rejects the argument that entitlements are immune to cuts and reforms. He has argued that the best way out of poverty is to get a job, and provide a regulatory climate that fosters job growth. He knows that you cannot have a sane fiscal balance without cutting entitlements.
“What is the difference between safety net and welfare?”
Depends on how the net is formed. If one contributes into a plan and withdraws based on said contribution, then that is not welfar is it? However, the individual would be better off investing that money privately.
“It is all wrong. It sounds nice but you are still stealing from one person and giving his labor or results of it to someone who didn’t earn it.”
Again, it depends on the program. Someone can pay into a plan in gross excess to what he withdraws.
“Government welfare is the opposite of charity.”
Well said.
Peace and blessings to you.
What you post is all well and good but for today’s poor most ‘fellow men’ doesn’t give a crap. As they say ‘we’re not a Christian country’ but maybe a tax deduction would be persuasive.