As I seem to have just put my feet into my mouth I will not be engaging on this thread further.
Only to say that "a little knowledge is a very dangerous thing" a proven statement many times over and over.
Hi farmerge. It is ok to have an opinion and to have discussions, the only thing I take offence at is misinformation. I know that was not your aim or plan, but only that you were repeating what is commonly put across by others.
Discussion are a good form of sharing information and view points, but we should try to respect others opinions and beliefs. Christianity has become the kicking dog of many, and I can understand why, but for fairness there should be facts shared and innuendo pointed out.
I've grown up in a religious family, but it wasn't rammed down or throats, there were many dinner time conversations with extended family during Easter an Christmas. I went to a Catholic Primary and High School, both of the Dominican faith, which taught us the bible and the Christian faith, but they also shared information about the other important religions of the time, and we visited their temples and discussed their religions with the leaders of those churches, including Buddhist and Hindu.
Hearing or reading partial truths or complete inaccuracies lights my fire and energises my boiler.
I'm not a fully practicing catholic, I probably go to church 2 or 3 times a year, I alway question my faith and whether there is a god of not, but I also believe in the church and what it has given humanity these past 2000 years.
As I become a Bit more wiser with age I see the slow ringbarking of the society that has sustained our way of life; men wanting to be woman and aggressively fighting for the right, old views being frowned upon and shouted down, guilt trips for being part of a society that has drastically improved life when compared to only a few hundred years ago. For me, with all its failings, the church has created more than the problems t has caused. Western governments and democracies have been successful because they have followed most of the churches rules of fairness, equality, compassion for the poor and sick, faith in all and truth.
Imagine a world without the Christian beliefs, you don't have to because it is in the history books and still can be seen in some countries to this day.
Please continue to share your opinion, but I ask that you do not push it as fact unless you can back it up.
Some of what I was taught at school many years ago -
Catholic beliefs view poverty as an affront to human dignity, requiring active engagement to create just economic and social structures. The
Catholic Church's teachings, known as
Catholic Social Teaching (CST), emphasize the "preferential option for the poor," urging a focus on the needs of the marginalized. This includes promoting solidarity, the universal destination of goods (sharing resources), and a belief that private property is a gift to be used responsibly for the common good, not just for selfish gain.
Key Principles in Catholic Beliefs on Poverty
- Human Dignity:
At the core of Catholic belief is the inherent dignity of every human person, which is violated by poverty. Socioeconomic structures that perpetuate poverty are seen as inherently unjust and require reform.
- Preferential Option for the Poor:
This is a foundational principle of Catholic Social Teaching, meaning that the needs and rights of the poor should receive special attention and priority.
- Solidarity:
Catholics are called to a commitment to the common good, understanding that the well-being of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable, is interconnected.
- Universal Destination of Goods:
The Church teaches that all of creation is a gift from God to be shared by all humanity. This means that resources should be distributed so that everyone has what they need to live a life of dignity, not just material necessities but also opportunities to fulfill their potential.
Practical Actions and Responsibilities
- Service and Charity:
Catholics are encouraged to engage in acts of service, such as volunteering, donating to charitable organizations, and advocating for policies that address the root causes of poverty.
- Justice:
Beyond charity, there is a commitment to social justice, which involves working to transform economic and social structures to prevent poverty from existing.
- Critique of Selfishness:
The Church teaches that an excessive or selfish love of wealth is incompatible with love for the poor. Individuals are called to share their goods and help the poor develop self-sufficiency.
Inspiration and Authority
- The Bible:
The parable of the Good Samaritan and other scriptures provide a basis for compassion and a call to care for those in need.
- Pope Francis:
Pope Francis has been a particularly strong advocate for the poor and established the World Day of the Poor to focus attention and action on the marginalized.
- Catholic Social Teaching (CST):
This body of teaching provides principles for reflection, criteria for judgment, and guidelines for action on social and economic issues, including poverty.