Relative Slavery

[Hans Talhoffer]

You're going to need to read the entire sentence to understand its meaning. He says that what you didn't do the the least of these, you, in effect, didn't do for him. So he is saying to love all people, the poor in particular, as you love christ. It says it right there! How are you missing this!

Seems like you are cherry picking and taking verses out of context.

 

[acropolis]

Seems like you are cherry picking and taking verses out of context.

There is no context in which that passage can be taken to mean "Screw the poor, it's their fault." These are the words of your christ, or crying out loud, how can you so easily ignore them and continue to live without understanding or compassion for the less fortunate?

That isn't the only passage in which jesus advocates for the poor:

Matthew 19:16-30 (also Luke 18:18-30 and Mark 10:17-31)
"Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”


"...many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."


Luke 14:12-13:

"12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,"

 

[Harpuia]

People are poor either because they deserve to be or because they want to be. No third alternative.

GGG is that you?

Anyway, I wonder how many studies you've looked at of the likelihood of those living in the ghettos of being successful against those who are in the upper class against those in the middle suburban class.

 

[Harpuia]

There is no context in which that passage can be taken to mean "Screw the poor, it's their fault."

Beck 1:3, O'Reilly 2:10...

Ok I'll stop.

 

[acropolis]

Beck 1:3, O'Reilly 2:10...

Ok I'll stop.

Most christians do seem to be much more obedient towards Fox News than towards their holy text. Funny how that works.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

People are poor either because they deserve to be or because they want to be. No third alternative.

That is an incredibly narrow-minded assertion.

 

[Hans Talhoffer]

That is an incredibly narrow-minded assertion.

The truth is a narrow path.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

The truth is a narrow path.

Then perhaps you should contemplate the lack of truthfulness in your narrow-minded assertion.

 

[bricklayer]

So you are actually concerned about those who have less?

I am as devoted to lifting up those with less as you are to tearing down those with more.
The primary difference between our methods is that I give form my own means, while you simply advocate the means of others be taken and transfered to you and those of like mind.

 

[Harpuia]

I am as devoted to lifting up those with less as you are to tearing down those with more.
The primary difference between our methods is that I give form my own means, while you simply advocate the means of others be taken and transfered to you and those of like mind.

Lifting up people by saying what? That they deserve nothing? That they are worthless? That you'll never hire them? Not much spirit lifting there, partner.

And in case you haven't noticed, I wrote in an earlier post that I agreed with you to a point. The problem of charity wouldn't be a problem if others like you and the other Tea Partiers didn't see the poor as something to be scorned at.

 

[bricklayer]

Lifting up people by saying what? That they deserve nothing? That they are worthless? That you'll never hire them? Not much spirit lifting there, partner.

And in case you haven't noticed, I wrote in an earlier post that I agreed with you to a point. The problem of charity wouldn't be a problem if others like you and the other Tea Partiers didn't see the poor as something to be scorned at.

Your consistent efforts to make your point by employing hyperbole, and mis-representation may well be the cause of your lack of value to the balance of society. It is equally ineffective and off-putting. I am well aware of how unemployable it renders you, although there are low level postions that do not require higher skills. You would be much better off employing the skills of those who are much better off. Your philosophy is but a drug easing your failure. Exculpatory and comforting, it leaves you without. It leaves you without options, rewards, ambitions and dignity.
You are not poor because we are not poor. You are not poor because you are not poor. Poor people don't have computers. You have less than others and you always will, so will I, big deal. Get over it and get on with trying to lift others up WITHOUT pulling yet others down.
As it is now, you're really not helping anybody.

 

[Harpuia]

Your consistent efforts to make your point by employing hyperbole, and mis-representation may well be the cause of your lack of value to the balance of society. It is equally ineffective and off-putting. I am well aware of how unemployable it renders you, although there are low level postions that do not require higher skills. You would be much better off employing the skills of those who are much better off. Your philosophy is but a drug easing your failure. Exculpatory and comforting, it leaves you without. It leaves you without options, rewards, ambitions and dignity.
You are not poor because we are not poor. You are not poor because you are not poor. Poor people don't have computers. You have less than others and you always will, so will I, big deal. Get over it and get on with trying to lift others up WITHOUT pulling yet others down.
As it is now, you're really not helping anybody.

Oh, please. Tell me bricklayer. What field should I get into that will help me get a better job than computer engineering/computer science/electrical engineering?

No, really. Enough bs. Let's hear it. Give me some advice then.

 

[bricklayer]

Please excuse me Harpuria, I did not notice your age until just now.
It is quite natural for a young man to have such philosophies. I would not have enguaged you directly, had I noticed earlier.
I'm confident you are a fine young man, but for the type of discussion you will enguage in, at my age, you are about as useful as a green banana.

You will do well to reread my posts, on this subject. I sincerely hope you are able to move through your current perspective and employ a point of view that will be of benefit to others someday. Remember this young man, what you look for determines what you find.

 

[Harpuia]

Please excuse me Harpuria, I did not notice your age until just now.
It is quite natural for a young man to have such philosophies. I would not have enguaged you directly, had I noticed earlier.
I'm confident you are a fine young man, but for the type of discussion you will enguage in, at my age, you are about as useful as a green banana.

You will do well to reread my posts, on this subject. I sincerely hope you are able to move through your current perspective and employ a point of view that will be of benefit to others someday. Remember this young man, what you look for determines what you find.

Because of my age? Are you serious?

Maybe you should debate my friend then. She's 43, and her views are equal to mine.

My views have and will never change, whether I'm 18, 24, 30, or 55. The truth is this: We don't have to all be equal. We should accept that we all can't be equal. But the more inequality is controlled, the better the country will get.

 

[bricklayer]

Because of my age? Are you serious?



My views have and will never change, whether I'm 18, 24, 30, or 55. The truth is this: We don't have to all be equal. We should accept that we all can't be equal. But the more inequality is controlled, the better the country will get.

We were all just as sure, just as wrong, and just as young.
If your views are the same at my age, something has not gone well.

The covetous often peddle equal-outcomes to the envious.
You will not be a benefit to those with lees if your focus is on those with more.

The biggest difference between you and me is that you must use your imagination to try to understand my point of view. I have only to draw upon my memory to undrestand yours. My memory is better than your imagination.

I am impressed that you are sincere, young and sure. Cling to sincere, young and sure will pass.

 

[rambot]

We were all just as sure, just as wrong, and just as young.
If your views are the same at my age, something has not gone well.

The covetous often peddle equal-outcomes to the envious.
You will not be a benefit to those with lees if your focus is on those with more.

The biggest difference between you and me is that you must use your imagination to try to understand my point of view. I have only to draw upon my memory to undrestand yours. My memory is better than your imagination.

I am impressed that you are sincere, young and sure. Cling to sincere, young and sure will pass.

It's an intellectually bereft elder who relies on his age as a weapon in an argument.

It would be offensive if it wouldn't be so pathetic.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Please excuse me Harpuria, I did not notice your age until just now.
It is quite natural for a young man to have such philosophies. I would not have enguaged you directly, had I noticed earlier.
I'm confident you are a fine young man, but for the type of discussion you will enguage in, at my age, you are about as useful as a green banana.

You will do well to reread my posts, on this subject. I sincerely hope you are able to move through your current perspective and employ a point of view that will be of benefit to others someday. Remember this young man, what you look for determines what you find.

Apart from being condescending, to say the least, your ageism here is worthy of reprimand. You assume that someone who is young is naturally inclined to hold particular views, and that by your age, every 'normal' person will have adjusted accordingly and accepted your supposed wisdom. I say that this very assumption shows a lack of wisdom on your part. In a discussion, such as this one, age does not matter. It is the argument alone that is important - its validity, its soundness, its cogency. Youth does not excuse us from making a bad argument anymore than older age excuses you for ignoring good arguments made by persons younger than yourself.

 

[rambot]

Apart from being condescending, to say the least, your ageism here is worthy of reprimand. You assume that someone who is young is naturally inclined to hold particular views, and that by your age, every 'normal' person will have adjusted accordingly and accepted your supposed wisdom. I say that this very assumption shows a lack of wisdom on your part. In a discussion, such as this one, age does not matter. It is the argument alone that is important - its validity, its soundness, its cogency. Youth does not excuse us from making a bad argument anymore than older age excuses you for ignoring good arguments made by persons younger than yourself.

What's more distressing to me is that he thinks that because of his age, he is RIGHT! Having a different opinion at certain ages...whatever. But to assume you are correct cause you're old, that's just foolish.

 

[Harpuia]

What's more distressing to me is that he thinks that because of his age, he is RIGHT! Having a different opinion at certain ages...whatever. But to assume you are correct cause you're old, that's just foolish.

I think I saw the words wrong though. He meant he wasn't speaking directly to me because of my age.

Again, I could've gone without the green banana comment though.

I don't quite understand the imporatnce of age in an argument either. I am 24 but if I argued in a chat and did not show my age, many have told me they thought I'd be somewhere in the mid 40's.

 

[A Is A]

I have met men and women like Bricklayer, old fools too lost in their own perceived wisdom to observe the world around them has changed since they chose their path in life.

They are to be pitied.