poverty and our own leisure

[myquestions]

do you feel guilty when you buy something or go to the movies , leisure, when you knoe that money could save someones life in 3rd world countires?

 

[revrobor]

No. There is no way to get the money to them anyway. It is usually stolen by corrupt government officials in those countries. Even Jesus said "you will always have the poor with you". We have families in this country that do not have enough food. And there are agencies like Feed The Children in this country that distribute food to these families as we contribute to meet those needs.

I don't know what point you're trying to make but the "enjoying yourself while some in the third world starve is wrong" rhetoric is getting a little old.

 

[Mandevar]

I do to a certain extent, but money is not the most important factor. I think awareness probably is. People just don't care as much about people in developing countries. Maybe they would if people actually talked about it more often, but its something that is ignored by the media and few people care enough to take the initiative and explore for themselves.

But the people who I think should feel guilty are the ultra rich people who own 10+ cars and 10+ mansions in 10+ different countries. Sure they've worked for their money and may even deserve it, but splurging that senselessly is a smack on the face to humanity.

 

[myquestions]

do you feel guilty when you just like buy fashion accesories (for example), or key rings, or pencil case, etc ....when ppl dont even have enough to EAT!?

shouldnt we treat other before us, like god said in the bible i think/

 

[madbear]

do you feel guilty when you just like buy fashion accesories (for example), or key rings, or pencil case, etc ....when ppl dont even have enough to EAT!?

This is a serious business. I think that CS Lewis had the balance about right in this respect. He said that if our support for charitable works does not pinch, we aren't doing enough. We should provide sufficent money, time, or whatever, that it has an impact on our own lives. In Lewis's view it was not necessary that we go hungry or barefoot, or even eschew all luxury, but that if our charity was unnoticeable in our own lives, it was not enough.

All manner of reasons can be given why charitable work or charitable donation to third-world countries is not efficaceous; but the argument that, because we can do little it is therefore OK to do nothing is a very shoddy one, in my view. There are charitable organizations that have become very good at applying money and resources successfully where they are most needed in the third world. I support those charities, and you should too. Just my $0.02, of course

Best wishes
MadBear

 

[meebs]

do you feel guilty when you buy something or go to the movies , leisure, when you knoe that money could save someones life in 3rd world countires?

no - but i do both when i can.

 

[meebs]

do you feel guilty when you just like buy fashion accesories (for example), or key rings, or pencil case, etc ....when ppl dont even have enough to EAT!?

shouldnt we treat other before us, like god said in the bible i think/

no as all people are equal including myself - i beleive in a balance. i like a fairly good life for myself, however i dont like other people suffering (for my needs or others - eg: if my clothes are made in sweat shops).

There is more we can do for other rather than just "giving to charity". There is the whole fair trade deal, campagning, actually going and giving a little of your time to these people, even in reducing energy amounts you use or products that take too much energy to make.

You shouldnt feel guilty for being happy, though its good to think of others.

 

[Patzak]

But the people who I think should feel guilty are the ultra rich people who own 10+ cars and 10+ mansions in 10+ different countries. Sure they've worked for their money and may even deserve it, but splurging that senselessly is a smack on the face to humanity.

It's always very easy to find someone who should feel more guilty about it. Don't worry, I do it as well. But the question is: when should we start feeling guilty at all if we're waiting for those richer than us to do it? I have my own apartment - should I feel guilty about the people who don't? Or should I consider myself to be exempt from guilt? - after all, there are many people who have larger apartments or houses.

Anyway, should we feel guilty about it at all? Well, if feeling guilty is the only way of getting ourselves to do something about poverty, then I guess we should. In more ways than one. Do I feel guilty about it? Yes, unfortunatelly I do and I will continue feeling guilty until I'm no better off than the average person anywhere in the world - which of course isn't going to happen as I'm still much too selfish to give away many of my possessions.

 

[Lynden1000]

do you feel guilty when you buy something or go to the movies , leisure, when you knoe that money could save someones life in 3rd world countires?

No, I don't. Because many of the companies that provide us with these luxuries take those profits and use them to set up business in third-world countries and provide people with jobs. They also give millions upon millions to philanthropic causes every year.

 

[myquestions]

No, I don't. Because many of the companies that provide us with these luxuries take those profits and use them to set up business in third-world countries and provide people with jobs. They also give millions upon millions to philanthropic causes every year.

wow god way of putting it!

but isnt' it better for us to do it DIRECTLY????

also is it good to have jobs that under pay?

 

[AfricaWim]

I minister under poor people in one of these 3rd world countries you are speaking about.

I believe God blesses you in relation to the job you are doing...as in the parable of the talents. So you DESERVE what you have. He do require some of that to be given to the poor (and orphans and widows) so do that, but there is no need to feel guilty using what God blessed YOU with on yourself.

"No. There is no way to get the money to them anyway. It is usually stolen by corrupt government officials in those countries"

Actually there are many ways to get money to these people through various organisations that will make sure 100% of your donation goes towards the intended parties. Many do not even use a percentage towards overheads, but make sure all of it is utilized. So.......

 

[Merlin]

The lack in the 3rd world is due to politics or religion.
Nothing about my leisure or spending habits can change that.

 

[Catherineanne]

do you feel guilty when you buy something or go to the movies , leisure, when you knoe that money could save someones life in 3rd world countires?

No. I give what I can to charities that I can, and try not to worry about things that are out of my control. Meanwhile, I have very little money to spend on leisure, and so when I do spend it there, I do not feel guilty. I always include my daughter, and feel as if I am giving her a life, and a collection of happy memories to keep forever. That does not always involve spending money.

I do not spend any money whatever on leisure apart from my daughter. Not because I don't think it would be right, but because I don't have it.

My daughter and I visited a third world country this year, courtesy of a family member, who paid for us to go. The levels of poverty there are clearly far below our own, but that does not mean that poverty does not exist everywhere. The trick is to recognise when you have enough.

 

[12volt_man]

do you feel guilty when you buy something or go to the movies , leisure, when you knoe that money could save someones life in 3rd world countires?

No. I believe that I've given more than what has been asked of me and that there is a Biblical case for recreation.