Caring for the poor

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And it is clearly Catholic teaching that we have moral obligation to pay our taxes, even when (especially when) these taxes go towards helping people in need, like the poor.

I hope the OP notes this.
 
catholic1seeks said:
And it is clearly Catholic teaching that we have moral obligation to pay our taxes, even when (especially when) these taxes go towards helping people in need, like the poor.

I hope the OP notes this.
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He saw it. He’s just not acknowledged that it’s accurate.
 
Lemuel said:
I did not expect such a flurry of responses that had nothing to do with my question. I don’t have time to answer everyone so if anyone answers my question I’ll reply. Otherwise I only have time to lurk. Thanks all!
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Are you sure?

You asked what forces us to be beholden to a government that forces us to pay for the care of others.

We have a myriad of “proof” from Jesus imploration to pay taxes and to lauds about the rich and poor.
 
I fully agree with that. I never said otherwise. Just that it had nothing to do with my question is all.
 
Lemuel said:
Before you correct me about middle school history you ought to at least get your words right. The Declaration says nothing about inalienable rights like you said. Our rights are correctly referred to in the Declaration as unalienable.

Better ditch your yard sale copy of the Declaration.
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All that over a typo. That’s hilarious. Yes, because THAT is what disintegrates the whole point of that post - a mistype of a letter next to another on the keyboard.

It’s really amusing because that was a tiff between Jefferson and Adams before it was recopied. It’s semantics, and a typo on my part.

Also amusing because you ditched the point.
 
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I pay taxes to help the poor. I give a lot on my own. What does that have to do with my question?
 
Lemuel said:
I pay taxes to help the poor. I give a lot on my own. What does that have to do with my question?
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You want to play by the rules of the Bible, so be it.

You are thinking locally, not globally. Globally you are not following the bible and are insanely wealthy. Any of us here are ignoring the bible unless we’re at a library, using their computer and going home to a bunk house that we do not own, to witch even working minimum wage and not owning a car, cell phone or anything but a couple changes of clothes are still unimaginably wealthy compared to most of the world.
 
…and likely still contributing taxes to the poor if he makes more than whatever the threshold is now (I admit I can’t remember it, but I know it’s relatively low in the US).
 
Lemuel said:
I know this topic has been beat to death more than once but I just have a simple question that nobody has ever answered for me. There’s no question in my mind that we are supposed to care for the poor and I hope that when I stand before my Maker one day, I can do so with a clear conscience. I believe I can. But where I disagree with a lot of people, even a number of Catholics who say my beliefs conflict with the Church, is this. I believe it is noble and just to give to the needy according to my will and conscience. I believe it is pure evil to force others to do it. I don’t believe that God forces us to do good. I think laws that take money forcefully from one to give to another are vile. I will never support such laws.

So my question is this. Where in the scriptures, anywhere, did Jesus teach us to force our neighbor to care for the poor and needy?
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What’s so difficult about answering your question?

Nowhere in the Bible, from Jesus or otherwise, is it stated that you are forced to compel your neighbour to help the poor.

Period. It’s as simple as that.

Now why this even bothers you…
 
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That’s what I thought. Just curious. Do you think Jesus would want us to force others to give to the poor?
 
Pup7 said:
…and likely still contributing taxes to the poor if he makes more than whatever the threshold is now (I admit I can’t remember it, but I know it’s relatively low in the US).
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Working 40 hours at minimum wage with no benefits is $15,000 annually. The poverty line is 12,000
Lemuel said:
I didn’t ask anything even close to that.
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Lemuel said:
Where in the scriptures, anywhere, did Jesus teach us to force our neighbor to care for the poor and needy?
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Xanthippe_Voorhees said:
You asked what forces us to be beholden to a government that forces us to pay for the care of others.
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I’m sorry what nuance am I missing exactly?
Lemuel said:
Now you’re catching on!
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So in light of that what is your take on “rend to Cesar” This is clearly a command that regards paying taxes and supporting the goverment that does these sort of things.
 
The poor are owed certain things in justice, and it’s the role of the government to enforce justice and yes it can compel us.
 
Lemuel said:
That’s what I thought. Just curious. Do you think Jesus would want us to force others to give to the poor?
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Absolutely. Otherwise, he would not have said that you must “rend to Ceaser”
 
Lemuel said:
That’s what I thought. Just curious. Do you think Jesus would want us to force others to give to the poor?
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No!

You keep saying this isn’t about government or law or taxes, your OP notwithstanding, so get to the point you are trying to make instead of whining about people not answering your question and adding more questions.
 
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