The Vatican is Proposing a World Central Bank

[Soyeong]

Every human being has a right to life. The rights to food, shelter, and the chance to earn a living all stem from this fundamental right to live.

You have a right to live, but you don't have a right to demand others feed and shelter you.

When we are capable of building well-insulated homes in which to wait out the winter, there is no excuse for us to let people live in grass huts or cardboard boxes. Similarly, in a society where we can prevent or cure otherwise deadly diseases, we can hardly say we are good Christians if we let people die just because God happened to entrust us with money and property instead of entrusting it to them.

Being capable of helping means that we should help, but it doesn't give them the right to demand help.

[Thersites]

You have a right to live, but you don't have a right to demand others feed and shelter you.

Being capable of helping means that we should help, but it doesn't give them the right to demand help.

We all have the individual obligation to take care of creation, which includes doing our part to provide for ourselves as much as possible. That having been said, when some people enjoy a great deal of comfort while others are suffering, I think there's a certain point beyond which we can't blame the suffering for asking why exactly is the rich folks are taking so long in getting around to sharing their blessings.

[Cow Poke]

We all have the individual obligation to take care of creation, which includes doing our part to provide for ourselves as much as possible. That having been said, when some people enjoy a great deal of comfort while others are suffering, I think there's a certain point beyond which we can't blame the suffering for asking why exactly is the rich folks are taking so long in getting around to sharing their blessings.

There's this little thing called "reality" which might suggest that not all rich people are Christians, and not all Christians are responsible. Meanwhile, all over the world, governments are having a harder and harder time keeping up with all the "entitlements" that people have come to expect. And the Bible also says he who does not work should not eat.

Scripture Verse:

(2 Th 3:10 KJV) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(2 Th 3:12 KJV) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

[Thersites]

There's this little thing called "reality" which might suggest that not all rich people are Christians, and not all Christians are responsible. Meanwhile, all over the world, governments are having a harder and harder time keeping up with all the "entitlements" that people have come to expect. And the Bible also says he who does not work should not eat.

Scripture Verse:

(2 Th 3:10 KJV) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(2 Th 3:12 KJV) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Thank you. I referenced that passage last night in the SB in my attempt to explain these ideas, but I couldn't recall the book, chapter, or verse

What we're really working towards here is imitation of God; that is, the fuller realization of the Divine Life that is already in us. Now, as you may recall, God is Infinite. When we are conforming ourselves to the Image of God and allowing Christ to live more completely in us, we are trying to bring ourselves in line with Something that is beyond our poor power to comprehend. What I mean by this is, we should not expect Christian morality to be a simple affair. We are obliged to help others, but they are also obliged in the same way to help themselves.

[Cow Poke]

Thank you. I referenced that passage last night in the SB in my attempt to explain these ideas, but I couldn't recall the book, chapter, or verse

What we're really working towards here is imitation of God; that is, the fuller realization of the Divine Life that is already in us. Now, as you may recall, God is Infinite. When we are conforming ourselves to the Image of God and allowing Christ to live more completely in us, we are trying to bring ourselves in line with Something that is beyond our poor power to comprehend. What I mean by this is, we should not expect Christian morality to be a simple affair. We are obliged to help others, but they are also obliged in the same way to help themselves.

And that's a great ideal.

[Thersites]

And that's a great ideal.

So what's stopping us from working toward it?

[Sparko]

So what's stopping us from working toward it?

nothing. But if you expect to legislate it into a secular government, and force people to be charitable to their neighbors then you really need to rethink things. Forced charity isn't love.

[Thersites]

nothing. But if you expect to legislate it into a secular government, and force people to be charitable to their neighbors then you really need to rethink things. Forced charity isn't love.

I think that we've been discussing this subject long enough that it shouldn't have to be pointed out that I don't expect any such thing.

[Sparko]

I think that we've been discussing this subject long enough that it shouldn't have to be pointed out that I don't expect any such thing.

making employers pay workers what someone else thinks is "fair," is forced charity.

[Thersites]

making employers pay workers what someone else thinks is "fair," is forced charity.

Mm... yeah... same can be said for this as for your last post. You're jumping back onto an argument that has no real relevance to what I'm actually saying.

[Cow Poke]

Mm... yeah... same can be said for this as for your last post. You're jumping back onto an argument that has no real relevance to what I'm actually saying.

Perhaps what you're saying has no real relevance to ...

[Cow Poke]

So what's stopping us from working toward it?

Some of us HAVE been, Spart. But it's not something you can force on people who are not "signed on" to it.
And I think there are companies out there who are doing quite well -- Chick-Fil-A and McCoy Building Supply come to mind immediately. Hey, and both are even CLOSED ON SUNDAYS!

[Thersites]

Some of us HAVE been, Spart. But it's not something you can force on people who are not "signed on" to it.

Agreed; there are a huge number of people who don't sign on to Christian morality, much less Catholic Social Teaching; I think it would be fair to say that in a certain sense, economic injustice is the result of our own failure to properly evangelize.

And I think there are companies out there who are doing quite well -- Chick-Fil-A and McCoy Building Supply come to mind immediately. Hey, and both are even CLOSED ON SUNDAYS!

What? You mean that not every company is evil? BLASPHEMER! You know that I think that every company is chronically corrupt, rather than just criticizing a few particularly grievous examples of greed and exploitation!

[Cow Poke]

Agreed; there are a huge number of people who don't sign on to Christian morality, much less Catholic Social Teaching; I think it would be fair to say that in a certain sense, economic injustice is the result of our own failure to properly evangelize.

All seriousness aside, SMALL BUSINESSES in the US make up 99.7% of all employers, and employ half of all private sector employees. I would venture to say that MOST of these companies exercise decent ethics and morals in their business operations. You don't hear of them, because they're not in the news every day. Many of them are "mom and pop" shops, and try to do the right thing. The MEGAfirms give them a bad name, but in communities all over the US, there are good hard-working bosses who want their employees to succeed, and treat them like family.

What? You mean that not every company is evil? BLASPHEMER! You know that I think that every company is chronically corrupt, rather than just criticizing a few particularly grievous examples of greed and exploitation!

I happen to think that the majority of the small businesses in the US are simply trying to make a buck, and they understand that, in order to do that, their employees have to "make a buck", too.

Henry Ford (in the old days) said it best... "take all my money, but leave me my top 10 men, and I'll have my money back in no time -- take my top 10 men, and you might as well take my money".

[Soyeong]

We all have the individual obligation to take care of creation, which includes doing our part to provide for ourselves as much as possible. That having been said, when some people enjoy a great deal of comfort while others are suffering, I think there's a certain point beyond which we can't blame the suffering for asking why exactly is the rich folks are taking so long in getting around to sharing their blessings.

I agree, there is no reason to blame people who perceive any unbalance for asking questions. They can ask all they want, but we are not denying them their rights if we choose not to do as they ask.