Comments on: Charity a drag on society http://rodneyolsen.net/2008/11/charity-a-drag-on-society.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:22:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ChrisB http://rodneyolsen.net/2008/11/charity-a-drag-on-society.html/comment-page-1#comment-7231 ChrisB Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:49:26 +0000 http://rodneyolsen.net/?p=2720#comment-7231 "If a man <i>will</i> not work, he shall not eat." Emphasis mine. “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” Emphasis mine.

]]> By: sarah http://rodneyolsen.net/2008/11/charity-a-drag-on-society.html/comment-page-1#comment-7230 sarah Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:25:49 +0000 http://rodneyolsen.net/?p=2720#comment-7230 I'm going to say the same as nearly everyone else here.....I agree. I did listen to a big debate about Gerry Harvey's comments on the radio. I’m going to say the same as nearly everyone else here…..I agree. I did listen to a big debate about Gerry Harvey’s comments on the radio.

]]> By: Indigo http://rodneyolsen.net/2008/11/charity-a-drag-on-society.html/comment-page-1#comment-7229 Indigo Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:53:27 +0000 http://rodneyolsen.net/?p=2720#comment-7229 I totally agree, and quite honestly, isn't charitable giving all about not expecting anything in return? I totally agree, and quite honestly, isn’t charitable giving all about not expecting anything in return?

]]> By: Justin http://rodneyolsen.net/2008/11/charity-a-drag-on-society.html/comment-page-1#comment-7227 Justin Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:16:20 +0000 http://rodneyolsen.net/?p=2720#comment-7227 And having said that, I think we have to accept the fact that there will always be a small percentage of people who simply can't give anything back to society. If we can actually deal with the people who can work but need rehab or training, I think people's attitudes toward the truly needy would be better. Right now, charity overlaps too much with enabling, hence the cynicism of Mr. Harvey. And having said that, I think we have to accept the fact that there will always be a small percentage of people who simply can’t give anything back to society. If we can actually deal with the people who can work but need rehab or training, I think people’s attitudes toward the truly needy would be better. Right now, charity overlaps too much with enabling, hence the cynicism of Mr. Harvey.

]]> By: Justin http://rodneyolsen.net/2008/11/charity-a-drag-on-society.html/comment-page-1#comment-7226 Justin Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:14:03 +0000 http://rodneyolsen.net/?p=2720#comment-7226 I assumed this post would go in a different direction when I read the title. Though I appreciate the post and find it interesting, I would suggest that charity is not the best investment for us as a society. People need charity because something in their lives isn't working, and ultimately, this is a matter of public policy. Charity can't fix systemic problems; it can only alleviate the symptoms. For example, if there are no jobs, the problem isn't that people are hungry; feeding people is necessary, but doesn't fix the problem, because people ultimately need jobs. So, while I think charity is necessary right now and is an important calling for people of faith (indeed, as you said, it's part of what makes us human), I think the real challenge and the ultimate goal is to create a society in which charity is not necessary. I assumed this post would go in a different direction when I read the title. Though I appreciate the post and find it interesting, I would suggest that charity is not the best investment for us as a society.

People need charity because something in their lives isn’t working, and ultimately, this is a matter of public policy. Charity can’t fix systemic problems; it can only alleviate the symptoms. For example, if there are no jobs, the problem isn’t that people are hungry; feeding people is necessary, but doesn’t fix the problem, because people ultimately need jobs.

So, while I think charity is necessary right now and is an important calling for people of faith (indeed, as you said, it’s part of what makes us human), I think the real challenge and the ultimate goal is to create a society in which charity is not necessary.

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