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- Alan, thanks for your explanation of the issues. To someone outside the U.S. (Australia) your articles and the comments on the Jena 6 debate have been difficult to understand. The article above...
- Hmmm one wonders how science managed to progress so well before atheism became the "official" position in the scientific community. How one's belief in God disqualified them from...
- Ms. Lind says: "In this case it’s really not that simple. Zelaya is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a good guy. He made a lot of empty promises in order to gain the support of the...
- I agree with the legal system being messed up . In my state we had a person who was sentenced to death for a gruesome murder. Over ten years on death row, the man gained so much weight his lawyers...
- The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church . We send embasadors to countries in the Middle East who are Theocracies, we not only tell those countries what we think we should do , we invade them if...
8 months ago
Consumerism and/or the worship of money is the state religion of the U.S. Words that come to mind are grotesque, obscene, absurd.
It seems to me that many people in this country can’t see through the veil of lies that covers their eyes. Our government, our media, and commercial sector all work together to maintain the lies – “Everything is okay, as long as you do as you’re told.” "Buy what we tell you to buy, believe what we tell you to believe - and never, ever question - it's unpatriotic!"
Do you own a TV? That’s the greatest, most powerful tool for perpetuating the lies. I can’t even listen to commercial radio because I can’t stand being lied to. (shameless plug: http://www.wwoz.org/programs/streams)
The same thing happened to me when I returned to the U.S. in 1979 after living in Tehran for a year.
We’re so steeped in lies we lie to each other without realizing it sometimes.
I can’t wait to get out of this country and go back to Africa, so I won’t have to continuously pull that veil of lies from in front of me.
Pax Christi
8 months ago
Also, as a fundraiser in the nonprofit sector, my understanding is that philanthropic giving does *not* decrease in hard times. Perhaps people redirect their giving from "vanity philanthropy" to large universities and arts organizations to aid work; I don't know the details, but I've heard several reports that giving stays strong, even increases, in difficult economic times.
8 months ago
by Julie Clawson
Is an apt title. It is plain, because we can't escape the reminders in advertising/pop culture to fuel our inner, empty, furnace with more things.
The cost to our over-extended budgets and the impact on our environment are plain as well.
There is no amount of giving/charity/tithe that can compensate for the reckless disregard (faith and non-faith people) have for reigning in this need for comforting things.
Our appetites, which are never satisfied, leave our lives empty-
empty as the barren lands, here and abroad, that were plundered to get more things.
8 months ago
But we have not done so well at this in the past, as a church One of our 'excuses' of course, has been that "we pay taxes for that." But I personally would much rather do it through the church, if we could bring ourselves to let go of all the sudden, extra wealth, give it away, and actually make it happen. Is the church ready to do what God has always called it to do? The poor are our responsibility, not the government's.
8 months ago
8 months ago
Funny, I was just having this same discussion with my husband this morning! We didn't come up with an answer, of course, but sadly, I really feel that we as a country would not step up to the plate, given the opportunity you describe. Just on this blog alone I have heard many people say, "It's my money, I earned it, you're not taking it away." Why would they change just because the government stopped taking it away? If it's just the government's taking it that bugs them, you'd think they'd give it all away BEFORE the government could get their mitts on it. Then there is the incessant, subliminal (and not so subliminal) bombardment we face every day of messages telling us that we're not happy and if we would just buy x, or y, or z, we would be. I wish I had a better view of my fellow man than this. Sigh...
8 months ago
8 months ago
I have no doubt that this is probably the case for some households. But I would also argue that for most people, it isn't so much a question of high tax rates as it is a question of spending priorities amongst individuals and families that keep us from giving more. Most of us would easily be able to afford to help those in need more if we, for example, went without that new computer, or that extra TV, or that boat, or new car, or new clothes when we have plenty of clothes that are in great condition, or the new addition to an already huge home, etc. For most people, it isn't the need for lower taxes to free up money, but the realization that we don't need so much stuff that would free up more money.
8 months ago
8 months ago
Or -did you mean "engaged in the activity" of "motivate (ing) us to lend a caring hand to others who are hurting." ?
"...they are certainly free to bring it up to me if they do."
You've been brought up. (no carpet, just-bare, scratched floors)
I'd venture to say if one (not royal "we", but one's personal application may vary) does not see any reflection of one's self in the piece then one might conclude:
1. They, we, or one have reached a state of complete selflessness (read extreme sanctification) regarding obedience and the shunning of covetousness
or
2. They, we, one thinks all those verses about the "heart is deceitful, among all things and desperately wicked" applies to the socialists who want to deprive us of our property
or
3. You just might be a closet socialist
If only we had more like your church.
You raise the spirit of humility to new heights.
Did someone hit a little too close to home?
If what you claim you and your church are doing has God's complete blessing-
don't be so haughty about it.
BTC
8 months ago
That being said, I think the point of the article is right on and is a good message...its just a shame how it was presented.
8 months ago
8 months ago
8 months ago
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
8 months ago
8 months ago
8 months ago
According to you if I buy too much stuff I am engaging in worshiping things. If I go to Walmart to save money and be a good steward with what God has given me and leave more money to give to others, I am supporting cheap labor and oppressing people. If I stop buying at all, I will support cheap labor even more.
So do I buy lavioushly so that the workers that made the product can make more money (Isn't that the T word? Trickle down economics???). Or do I frugally buy and oppress all those poor hard working laborers?
Im so confused! I'm just going to take my wife out for a steak dinner, to see fireproof and go shopping!
8 months ago
Up above I posted a link to a short video called "the story of stuff"
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
We may not be aware of how our buying habits affect others in other parts of the world, but they do.
One suggestion is simply to buy local. Buying local whenever possible saves energy because the goods don't have to be transported long distances, plus you are helping your own local economy, which I would think is a good thing. And when it comes to food, buying locally almost always results in buying better, fresher food.
Take that steak dinner, for example--how much better might the steak taste if it was freshly custom cut by your local butcher?
8 months ago
8 months ago
I tend not to go easy on myself - with a few exceptions, I'm my own worst critic (too many years in Catholic school).
Living behind the veil of lies is comfortable, and people really don’t want to hear that the things they believe aren’t true. I watch as people’s eyes glaze over and then they quickly change the subject when I tell them something that is contrary to their beliefs.
Sometimes I think that all I can do is walk the walk. Even if someone doesn’t understand why I want to work in Africa, I figure that I’ve at least planted a seed in her/his mind, but it’s not up to me to water the seed.
Micah 6:8 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you”
Peace!
8 months ago
8 months ago
Think about these realities: many of the poor do shop at Wal-Mart (and for many, doing that is luxury when they typically buy the items they need daily at "dollar" stores). They owe no apologies to anyone who has their job making those goods. For others, saving those dollars by shopping at a Wal-Mart allows for paying for church school tuition, or fulfilling their donation commitment to their church. People are not buying luxury items, typically at Wal-Mart (although I hear the chain aspires to market more high end items).
8 months ago
There has to be better ways of including everyone in the economy with out exploiting them and then just as you suggest provide others who are economically challenged with affordable goods and services. It is a complicated economic and ecological puzzle and will require our most creative efforts.
8 months ago
8 months ago
8 months ago
Will people choose to give more because they know the need is greater now than before. Or will people be holding back because of their anxiety about the future? What kind of choices to you plan to make with your habits of giving?
I'd also like to know who has plans to do more volunteering in the coming year.
The children I am thinking of can benefit from some mentoring and opportunities for cultural enrichment.