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Robert_Sock
Guest
It’s rude and disrespectful!
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Robert_Sock
Guest
The starvation of people in the world is preventable and they need your voice.
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ishii
Guest
Not its not, Robert. Its the truth - your thread here is overly simplistic. Moreover, it always ends up being a vehicle for your views on the evils of capitalism - which is always expressed as an attack on “greedy, power hungry and prestige seekers.” So no, I view your question as simplistic and ultimately with an ideological ax to grind. This is my honest take so please don’t consider it rude and disrespectful.
If I encountered someone who was truly interested in helping the starvation of innocent children, I’d recommend they either give to a charity or even do some time working on a mission in a country where the starvation is particularly bad (not the US). Politically, I would vote for those who might help the 3rd world abandon socialism and institute free-market economies because the free-market is the best way to boost poor people’s standard of living.
Or, to put it in 10 words:
Give to charity. Down with socialism. Up with the free market.
Ishii
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Robert_Sock
Guest
It’s a sad day when a fellow Catholics cannot post their views because of ingrained hostility from another Catholic who differs in opinion. LOVE, brother!
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Catolico65
Guest
Robert with all due respect I believe most Catholic are aware of the suffering and hunger that occurs in the world.
Also, most of the real hunger is caused not be lack of resources being sent to people but there own governments that prevent food shipments.
What we can do as Catholics is pray of course and give until it hurts because we can be assured our donations go to the needy, not like many other organizations. Paz.
Also, most of the real hunger is caused not be lack of resources being sent to people but there own governments that prevent food shipments.
What we can do as Catholics is pray of course and give until it hurts because we can be assured our donations go to the needy, not like many other organizations. Paz.
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Robert_Sock
Guest
People are aware of it in the sub-conscience. If people would become fully aware of the reality of starvation, they would freak-out over how the world just turns their backs to this crime against humanity. It’s not just an unfortunate outcome, but a most hideous crime being conducted right under our noses.
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Catolico65
Guest
It is a crime but nonetheless 26 million child sacrifices every year are worse.
BTW, the world has not turned it’s back on hunger, it is a cause celebre. What can normal people do but give to the Catholic Church and make sure everyone knows the importance, which many do of course. The real issue are the corrupt governments that don’t allow the donated food to be distributed.
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thistle
Guest
You can post your views but stop trying to impose them on us.
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Robert_Sock
Guest
Please show me where I’m imposing my views on anyone? Why are you so defensive?
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Abba
Guest
Robert Sock, I am on your side. More power to you! Speak out brother!
I see what you see. Btw, there are no limits to the threads regarding a topic - just search ‘abortion’ and you will see. I see the problem in our society of apathy towards the needs of others. We have created traditions that alienate us from one another.
I like what Dostoevsky once wrote about how communism would prevent us from being Christ like as it would deny us the opportunity to help one another. I don’t like how in the United States helping out has become institutionalized. This system alienates us just like that communist society of Dostoevsky. You can drop your money in the poor basket at church, or donate to a variety of organizations and with the added attraction that it is all tax deductible. Many are sold by the idea that it is ‘tax deductible’ as if that should be a main attraction. People without thinking go for the idea and integrate that attraction hand in hand with helping and it becomes their outlook. The sense of responsibility and the sense of brotherly love is lost somewhere in the traditions and paradigms of a plastic society.
There are so many lonely, starving for food and love and attention people where I live. But, you know that ‘circle’ is important and the prejudgments that comes with the paradigms condemns not only those who are in want (of whatever) but also those who have excess who may have it in wealth but lack it in other matters. Poor souls! People can see others in needs and live an alienated reality but they will send money to some organization to feel good about themselves or to understand that they have comply with some duty and to others is an added contribution along with in person helping another human being. Many, however, in the actual society are alienated from ‘strangers’ who are not in the ‘circle’. They could see some one like Father Corapi sleeping in the street on a cold night and keep going. But, if the person becomes a member of that circle than every body wants to be with that person - like a plague that is being passed on.
Two years ago, I chatted with an elderly man at the post office. He was 92 years old and in good shape and driving his own car. In our chat, he told me that for the past six months he had been eating Ramen Noodles every day. He said that he knew he needed protein so he adds tuna and different things to it. He has no relatives left and his last friend was dying at the hospital. Misery of misery! Sometime back someone went to see a nice house that was up for sale, the family was having serious financial difficulties and could not keep up with the mortgage. The refrigerator was empty. The people next door are probably millionaires but it does not matter, the neighbor can starve because of the paradigm and they are both stuck.
A revolution has to start in each of our hearts to break these cold traditions and love one another as Christ commanded us to do. It would be a happier world with less depressed people.
Peace.
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thistle
Guest
Your whole thread (and the others you opened on this topic) absolutely imply that nobody alive should live happy lives as long as there are poor and starving in the world.
Well you are entitled to your opinion and that is all it is because the Church does not teach that we should not be happy while there is suffering in the world. I live a very happy life.
I think you will find you are in the small minority who think we should all be miserable.
Before you ask for a “quote” we are all able to read and get the message from all your posts. Nobody can be in doubt how you think we should feel.
By the way, I am not being defensive but rather irritated by your attitude.
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ishii
Guest
I am not hostile to your opinion. I do think it is overly simplistic, though. You seem very defensive. But, Robert, I would like to ask you your own question: how do you deal with the starvation of innocent children? I mean, do you give to charity? Work to alleviate the starvation? do you have a solution? I have told you what I would do. Maybe you can tell me what you would do.
Ishii
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TEPO
Guest
It doesn’t bother me if someone tells me I’m guilty if I fail to act on a given instance. For me, that’s an invitation to a good time. Like revving up the engine at a red light while staring down the driver next to you. 
No, but seriously I’m on Roberts side too.
No, but seriously I’m on Roberts side too.
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Robert_Sock
Guest
I hold the starving in my heart and pray for them!
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Robert_Sock
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Thank you Abba and TEPO for your support! 
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4love2God
Guest
Robert Sock asks a BIG question :** “How do you deal with all the extreme poverty in the world?”**
How does anyone deal with something over which they have absolutely NO control?
The BIGGEST thing I can offer to any Human Being, is to pray to God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit for them.
At this point, I have done the ONLY real thing to help them.
Though, in my case, I have tithed 10% of my income to non-Profits for all of my adult Life.
At that point, I ask God to help me NOT become consumed with negative emotions about all of the problems of the World.
Jesus wants us Happy.
I want to obey Jesus.
So, I attempt to NOT dwell on things (over which I have NO control) which will just bring me pain.
Satan wants everyone to NOT be Happy, to NOT be Spiritual, to just focus on the World, instead of God.
He is an expert at pushing all of the right “buttons” … to deprive us of our intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, do Jesus a favor : Don’t cave in to Satan’s follies.
How does anyone deal with something over which they have absolutely NO control?
The BIGGEST thing I can offer to any Human Being, is to pray to God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit for them.
At this point, I have done the ONLY real thing to help them.
Though, in my case, I have tithed 10% of my income to non-Profits for all of my adult Life.
At that point, I ask God to help me NOT become consumed with negative emotions about all of the problems of the World.
Jesus wants us Happy.
I want to obey Jesus.
So, I attempt to NOT dwell on things (over which I have NO control) which will just bring me pain.
Satan wants everyone to NOT be Happy, to NOT be Spiritual, to just focus on the World, instead of God.
He is an expert at pushing all of the right “buttons” … to deprive us of our intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, do Jesus a favor : Don’t cave in to Satan’s follies.
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Abba
Guest
I think the converse is Satan’s follies.
I think Jesus wants us to love one another. I understand Mormons and some Protestant churches require tithe. Catholics are not required to contribute 10%. Jesus wants us to give from the heart. I don’t think that the christian way is to give 10% and wash the hands like Pontius Pilate. That is, I have given what I have given - the required amount set by myself plus I pay taxes - that’s it. Now, I can focus on myself, my needs and my wants. People can set a monetary amount to themselves but I don’t think that we can restrict an amount to love of neighbor.
This is what I personally see as a problem in our society. The government has robbed us of the sense of responsibility for our neighbors. As far as people are concerned, the poor are not their problems, they are the government’s problems. People complain about the welfare system and how they want it eliminated or minimized because they do not want their tax dollars to go to the people who get on welfare - the offensively called - dead beats. They are thinking about the money but they do not realize that what they have been really robbed of is the opportunity of helping the poor. The government with the welfare system and the taking of responsibility for the poor and needy along with the institutions have deprived us of the opportunity of being able to be more Christ like. Dostoevsky saw it in communism and I see it with the government taking full responsibility of the needy.
According to society given that I pay taxes, contribute to the Church, and even make some ‘tax deductible’ donations - I am not responsible for my neighbor. This creates an alienation that sends ripples across the waters, rumbling throughout the world and echos into the universe. This hoarding of love may reach the bottom of the sea and the farthest star. This outlook does not only affect the neighbor next door but the needy of the world. If I don’t give a hoot about the needy in my own neighborhood, there is no place in my heart for some hungry children in some far away land.
Hebrews 13:16
16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
1 John 3:17
17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
Luke 21:1-4
1He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Acts 20:35 (Words of Jesus in red)
35In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"
James 1:17
17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change
Matthew 6:1-4
1"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
:twocents:
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4love2God
Guest
Abba goes off on a rant.
I do NOT tithe 10% because I feel like I am somehow forced to do it.
I give out of gratitude for this Life that God has bestowed upon me.
In fact, my giving is actually from 10% to 13%, depending on if I make a little extra some months.
I am not sure what you are advocating:
I do my part by carefully picking out which organizations I send money to.
And, do you agree that if we are in a terribly upset mood, that we are NOT feeling like Jesus would want us to feel?
If not, then how is a Christian supposed to feel?
I do NOT tithe 10% because I feel like I am somehow forced to do it.
I give out of gratitude for this Life that God has bestowed upon me.
In fact, my giving is actually from 10% to 13%, depending on if I make a little extra some months.
I am not sure what you are advocating:
- that we should be in a near-constant state of shock that awful things are occurring in the World; or
- That we should pack-up and travel to wherever hunger exists in the World, and bring enough food to feed everyone; or
- [what]
I do my part by carefully picking out which organizations I send money to.
And, do you agree that if we are in a terribly upset mood, that we are NOT feeling like Jesus would want us to feel?
If not, then how is a Christian supposed to feel?
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Timothysis
Guest
So in other words, you do nothing to alleviate their material suffering. Yet, you think it is the duty of governments, corporations and individuals around the world to solve the problem. Got’cha
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Robert_Sock
Guest
But I do what I can! What do you do?So in other words, you do nothing to alleviate their material suffering. Yet, you think it is the duty of governments, corporations and individuals around the world to solve the problem. Got’cha
Mark 12:41-44
New International Version (NIV)
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
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