is poverty our fault? Options

[jennyt13]

who is the start of poverty? who started it? did we? we know that there are millions of people out there that have it worst than us. there are people out there that are starving but what are we doing? we go around and buy the most unimportant things we don't need. we don't need 4 houses all we need is one!!! we don't need 44 cars all we need is one!!!!!!! why are spending money on the things that we don't actually use or need? And when you are donating your money don't do it because its good image for the public or it makes you look like a good person so everyone will like you after that. do it because its the right thing to do. do it because you know you want to. do it because you know that there are people out there that will do anything to get something to eat. do it because its coming from Your HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sweetangel2128]

I don't think were to blame for poverty completely but I think we play a big role in it. Plus, there are a lot of people that do choose to live that sort of lifestyle while others don't choose. In some ways I do believe it is our fault for the way things are but sometimes it isn't because we can't always control everything in the world.

I agree with you, we shouldn't have that many houses or cars and when we donate we should do it from our hearts. I've always wanted to donate some money to needy children, not for the good image publicly but because I felt it was the right thing to do and because I know so many people out there need our help.

I think the things that make me angry most about this situation is all the people out there that complain about what they don't have..what about the people that have nothing at all. In my opinion we are a lot better off than most people and shouldn't be complaining.

[Kontroll]

Why should I donate anything? If I had a million dollars, I've earned it. If anything I would give ten percent to the church, but after that, it's my money.

Is it really my problem that people are dying? People die everyday. People die every minute. So, how is my contribution going to affect anything?

It's just a guilt trip to get us to donate to a charity, which most of the time take a portion out of the donation. So, if it was really important to feed the little ones over in Africa, why would these charities need to take a portion out of our donations? If they need that little fraction of our donation to survive as a charity, then they shouldn't be a charity at all. It should be the churches job to help the sick and poor and widowed.

[*.fire*]

Poverty is not a thing that happened overnight, it is based on the have and have nots and those acting upon greed. As an individual we cannot overcome poverty as poverty at this stage and magnitude is a societal problem where it only be reseolved by word wide unification and a striving towards a common goal. But theres a large problem to "make" everyone do something to better the entirety of the population (liberaltarian ideas coming forth) due to the fact many people are inherently selfish, greedy, and competitive. Therefore on a more realistic note we shold just strive to minimise the gap between societal tiers as we sociologists now from the past (China) that liberaltarianism (communism) is a great idea, but just cant work.

[Kontroll]

Poverty is not a thing that happened overnight, it is based on the have and have nots and those acting upon greed. As an individual we cannot overcome poverty as poverty at this stage and magnitude is a societal problem where it only be reseolved by word wide unification and a striving towards a common goal. But theres a large problem to "make" everyone do something to better the entirety of the population (liberaltarian ideas coming forth) due to the fact many people are inherently selfish, greedy, and competitive. Therefore on a more realistic note we shold just strive to minimise the gap between societal tiers as we sociologists now from the past (China) that liberaltarianism (communism) is a great idea, but just cant work.

The theory of communism is appealing. But, like you said, it can just never work.

Secondly, we shouldn't eliminate the gap between the tiers. That will only cause socialism and communism. If we place people in tiers that are close together we have almost an equal plane of a population of people.

Our country is great because if we want it, we can get it. To eliminate the wealth would destroy our country. If we head towards socialism, like we are now, we can only get bad results.

I think that you should eliminate competition from your list. Competition is one thing that makes people at least live comfortably. If we didn't have competition we would all fail and our country would go to ruins.

[sweetangel2128]

Is it really my problem that people are dying?

That's REALLY a cold thing to say. You preach the Bible and say you love it so much, yet you have no respect for others and claim that them dying isn't your problem, that's just really sad. As Christians were suppose to be more like Jesus and he would never say - "It's not my problem".

[Kontroll]

That's REALLY a cold thing to say. You preach the Bible and say you love it so much, yet you have no respect for others and claim that them dying isn't your problem, that's just really sad. As Christians were suppose to be more like Jesus and he would never say - "It's not my problem".

I'm sorry, I'm human. Tell Jesus I said sorry, oh holy one. It's not my problem. It's not directly affecting me. If some one needs my help, surely I will give it to them to the best of my abilities, but what am I suppost to say when some one out of my financial and geographical range needs help? What? Am I suppost to feel pity for them? Because we all know pity works wonders.

It's not a cold thing to say. It's the world. I love in this world. Not everyone was made to be a warm beam of light, like you boast you are.

You know what? Maybe I just need to have the Holy Spirit, one third of the Trinity by the way, to come inside me and speak tongues to praise Him, because He apparently doesn't understand English.

You need to get out of your little fairy tale world and see things as they are.

Even when we believe the scriptures are without error, it is a risk to think our understanding is without error.

[sweetangel2128]

I'm sorry, I'm human. Tell Jesus I said sorry, oh holy one. It's not my problem. It's not directly affecting me. If some one needs my help, surely I will give it to them to the best of my abilities, but what am I suppost to say when some one out of my financial and geographical range needs help? What? Am I suppost to feel pity for them? Because we all know pity works wonders.

It's not a cold thing to say. It's the world. I love in this world. Not everyone was made to be a warm beam of light, like you boast you are.

You know what? Maybe I just need to have the Holy Spirit, one third of the Trinity by the way, to come inside me and speak tongues to praise Him, because He apparently doesn't understand English.

You need to get out of your little fairy tale world and see things as they are.

Even when we believe the scriptures are without error, it is a risk to think our understanding is without error.

I'm sorry you think that way. I'll be praying for you!

[jennyt13]

I'm sorry, I'm human. Tell Jesus I said sorry, oh holy one. It's not my problem. It's not directly affecting me. If some one needs my help, surely I will give it to them to the best of my abilities, but what am I suppost to say when some one out of my financial and geographical range needs help? What? Am I suppost to feel pity for them? Because we all know pity works wonders.

It's not a cold thing to say. It's the world. I love in this world. Not everyone was made to be a warm beam of light, like you boast you are.

You know what? Maybe I just need to have the Holy Spirit, one third of the Trinity by the way, to come inside me and speak tongues to praise Him, because He apparently doesn't understand English.

You need to get out of your little fairy tale world and see things as they are.

Even when we believe the scriptures are without error, it is a risk to think our understanding is without error.

Im praying for you too. just becuase you might not have started it doesnt mean its not also your responsibility

[sweetangel2128]

I'm sorry, I'm human. Tell Jesus I said sorry, oh holy one.
You know what? Maybe I just need to have the Holy Spirit, one third of the Trinity by the way, to come inside me and speak tongues to praise Him, because He apparently doesn't understand English.

First of all, calling yourself human doesn't mean it's right to sin against God. You basically mocked Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Read Acts 2 on the Holy Spirit it might prove something to you.

[*.fire*]

I think that you should eliminate competition from your list. Competition is one thing that makes people at least live comfortably. If we didn't have competition we would all fail and our country would go to ruins.

I disagree in you exclusion of competitiveness as youre saying its what makes your country great, but youre ignoring the fact that your country still has a majority of it living underneath the poverty line. Competiveness breeds selfishness as its many people striving towards one prize, that surely will result in unfair play and someone being disadvantaged. Take a look at the Olympic games, that there is a competition but people still cheat do they not?

[alysaphobia]

I disagree in you exclusion of competitiveness as youre saying its what makes your country great, but youre ignoring the fact that your country still has a majority of it living underneath the poverty line. Competiveness breeds selfishness as its many people striving towards one prize, that surely will result in unfair play and someone being disadvantaged. Take a look at the Olympic games, that there is a competition but people still cheat do they not?

i disagree with you, i think JakeKKing is right. think about it. let's pretend we eradicated competition, and nobody starved to death anymore or had to die of poverty. they could start affording health care, food, and other basic amenities, so on a whole, would live longer lives and produce more children. the population would definitely increase more, and then soon enough, cities would get really crowded. as more people try to get jobs, the value of jobs would decrease because the demand for them is so high; so job wages as a whole would decrease. it's also always been said that population grows faster than the speed of production of food. it's inevitable that thousands of people could eventually starve due to the population boom. in other words, increased population = big trouble.

this is the basic concept thomas malthus developed during the industrial revolution. he stated that we need poverty, along with other things like natural disasters and war, to "check excessive population growth". click: the principle of population

[Kontroll]

I disagree in you exclusion of competitiveness as youre saying its what makes your country great, but youre ignoring the fact that your country still has a majority of it living underneath the poverty line. Competiveness breeds selfishness as its many people striving towards one prize, that surely will result in unfair play and someone being disadvantaged. Take a look at the Olympic games, that there is a competition but people still cheat do they not?

Have you ever seen the movie Equilibrium? That's what our society would be like without competition. Competition doesn't create selfishness. Human nature does.

The reason our country has a high poverty rate is because of our government. Our government provides and protects which is wrong. It's only suppost to protect.

It's the communities and church's job to provide. If we didn't have such a big government I feel that we wouldn't have such a high rate of poverty.

We can all thank the socialist president FDR for that.

[jennyt13]

Have you ever seen the movie Equilibrium? That's what our society would be like without competition. Competition doesn't create selfishness. Human nature does.

The reason our country has a high poverty rate is because of our government. Our government provides and protects which is wrong. It's only suppost to protect.

It's the communities and church's job to provide. If we didn't have such a big government I feel that we wouldn't have such a high rate of poverty.

We can all thank the socialist president FDR for that.

i half agree on you about competition doesnt create selfishness. its sorta do becuase if we are competing against each other and we see that the other person has a better life or things than us we get jealous of that person and want to be better than them. But then while we're trying to do that we forgot what our jobs as human beings are. we even sink so low as to murder becuase we are jealous.

yes its human nature but doesnt mean we cant change who we are. we see people doing that all the time. so why can't we?

[Jinny]

well, it depends what the situation is.
if some person got poor because of.. idk, gambling or something, then it's his/her fault. we shouldn't be blamed for their actions. it's not like we made them gamble/lose their money, it's their fault for spending their money in a stupid and careless way.

[*.fire*]

Have you ever seen the movie Equilibrium? That's what our society would be like without competition. Competition doesn't create selfishness. Human nature does.

The reason our country has a high poverty rate is because of our government. Our government provides and protects which is wrong. It's only suppost to protect.

It's the communities and church's job to provide. If we didn't have such a big government I feel that we wouldn't have such a high rate of poverty.

We can all thank the socialist president FDR for that.

Okay, I can see your point on that, I concede.

well, it depends what the situation is.
if some person got poor because of.. idk, gambling or something, then it's his/her fault. we shouldn't be blamed for their actions. it's not like we made them gamble/lose their money, it's their fault for spending their money in a stupid and careless way.

Well we can also blame the society for teaching them(or lack thereof teaching) that gambling is hazardous and highly improbable chances of ever suceeding.

But then again there are many factors that can lead to gambling, suh as you said, own choice, but then again all human action is based upon societies and influences.

[sweetangel2128]

Okay, I can see your point on that, I concede.
Well we can also blame the society for teaching them(or lack thereof teaching) that gambling is hazardous and highly improbable chances of ever suceeding.

But then again there are many factors that can lead to gambling, suh as you said, own choice, but then again all human action is based upon societies and influences.

Very true. Afterall, all this country cares about is getting there money :-/

[*.fire*]

Radix malorum est Cupiditas

[Kontroll]

Very true. Afterall, all this country cares about is getting there money :-/

Well, without money our government would be useless. There would be no military to protect us in time of need. RIght?

[sweetangel2128]

Well, without money our government would be useless. There would be no military to protect us in time of need. RIght?

I am not saying that money isn't good but I think a lot of people are just Greedy.

[Kontroll]

I am not saying that money isn't good but I think a lot of people are just Greedy.

We've already established that moved forward.

Greed plays no role in competition. It might seem like it, but competition requires a will to succeed where as greed does not.

[sweetangel2128]

We've already established that moved forward.

Greed plays no role in competition. It might seem like it, but competition requires a will to succeed where as greed does not.

I am not talking about competition but "poverty" in general and what causes it.

[Kontroll]

I am not talking about competition but "poverty" in general and what causes it.

But you said that greed is a direct correlation of competition.

There is no one reason why poverty is in this world.

It's for many political and personal reasons. It's pointless to pin point the central cause of it, because something else will fill its place and the vicious cycle will continue.

[sweetangel2128]

But you said that greed is a direct correlation of competition.

I never said that.

[Kontroll]

I never said that.

"I am not saying that money isn't good but I think a lot of people are just Greedy."

[sweetangel2128]

"I am not saying that money isn't good but I think a lot of people are just Greedy."

Yes, I did say that but I didn't say what you put. I never even put competition in that sentence. Read it again. Basically what I'm saying is that money isn't everything but a lot of people are greedy, meaning all they want is money.

[Kontroll]

Yes, I did say that but I didn't say what you put. I never even put competition in that sentence. Read it again. Basically what I'm saying is that money isn't everything but a lot of people are greedy, meaning all they want is money.

Therefore they will compete to get it. Hence my correlation.

[sweetangel2128]

Therefore they will compete to get it. Hence my correlation.

Your just mixing up what I'm trying to say so nevermind lol.

[Kontroll]

Your just mixing up what I'm trying to say so nevermind lol.

I think your hands are getting mixed up with your mind and what you really want to say.

You said that all people really want is money, and are greedy.

And I'm making a correlation[look it up] that those who are greedy will compete to get what they want.

[sweetangel2128]

I think your hands are getting mixed up with your mind and what you really want to say.

You said that all people really want is money, and are greedy.

And I'm making a correlation[look it up] that those who are greedy will compete to get what they want.

As I said nevermind, you are mixing up what I was saying, I never even mentioned competition. Yes true competition does happen but not always.

[kimmytree]

It's just a guilt trip to get us to donate to a charity, which most of the time take a portion out of the donation. So, if it was really important to feed the little ones over in Africa, why would these charities need to take a portion out of our donations? If they need that little fraction of our donation to survive as a charity, then they shouldn't be a charity at all. It should be the churches job to help the sick and poor and widowed.

Its sad how charities keep a portion of donations... but what if no one donated to charity? Donations definately make an impact. Not just with dying children and aids in Africa, but what about for research? Like the Cancer Society? National Heart Association? Donations to those types of organizations go towards vital medical research. As long as something's legitimate, and a person has money to spare, why not?

[sweetangel2128]

Its sad how charities keep a portion of donations... but what if no one donated to charity? Donations definately make an impact. Not just with dying children and aids in Africa, but what about for research? Like the Cancer Society? National Heart Association? Donations to those types of organizations go towards vital medical research. As long as something's legitimate, and a person has money to spare, why not?

Exactly. When I get a job and have left over money I plan to donate to a charity.

[jennyt13]

Its sad how charities keep a portion of donations... but what if no one donated to charity? Donations definately make an impact. Not just with dying children and aids in Africa, but what about for research? Like the Cancer Society? National Heart Association? Donations to those types of organizations go towards vital medical research. As long as somethings legitimate, and a person has money to spare, why not?

Exactly!!! i don't understand why the charities take a portion of the donation. the money isn't for them is for the people who need it. if the money was to them we would have donated our money to them saying they can have it. but yea as long as we're doing something that is helping people around the world why don't we do it. its not like if we donate we lose all our money. some people don't want to donate to charity because they're greedy. they think if they donate nothings going to happen and whats the point of donating money if it doesn't help the people who you are donating the money to? I'll tell you what because its the right thing to do!!!!! you don't really know where the money goes. you don't know if its actually helping them. so just donate just in case.

[sweetangel2128]

Exactly!!! i don't understand why the charities take a portion of the donation. the money isn't for them is for the people who need it. if the money was to them we would have donated our money to them saying they can have it. but yea as long as we're doing something that is helping people around the world why don't we do it. its not like if we donate we lose all our money. some people don't want to donate to charity because they're greedy. they think if they donate nothings going to happen and whats the point of donating money if it doesn't help the people who you are donating the money to? I'll tell you what because its the right thing to do!!!!! you don't really know where the money goes. you don't know if its actually helping them. so just donate just in case.

Your right but I think they take a percentage to keep that donation running kinda like a movie theatre, whatever they make they split profits with ect..I think it goes the same way with donations and other things. It should be all for the donation itself but I always think of it this way "every little bit counts".

[jennyt13]

Your right but I think they take a percentage to keep that donation running kinda like a movie theatre, whatever they make they split profits with ect..I think it goes the same way with donations and other things. It should be all for the donation itself but I always think of it this way "every little bit counts".

you're right about that. but if they need the charity to keep on running why dont they get money from the government?

[Simba]

Because the government is in debt a couple trillion dollars.

(Assuming you're talking about America.)

[jennyt13]

Because the government is in debt a couple trillion dollars.

(Assuming you're talking about America.)

yea i know that. but it doesnt stop them from buying billions of things this country will probally never need. and it doesnt stop them from pulling the troops out of iraq because they also cost money [not saying this in a bad way] WE NEED A NEW PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

I don't see the poverty problem as "someone's fault", since that would require a moral reason as a fundamental cause, and I doubt that's the case.

At a first though, I would look for social, educational, economical and political causes of poverty first. Since a group of humans that lacks a solid social structure, a sufficient number of skilled members, organizational power as well as extra resources to "invest" for development purposes is less likely to be successful than another group that has these elemental needs covered.

That doesn't mean it isn't possible to keep the poor in poverty for immoral reasons; Barcelona's highway belt seems to be designed to leave the poor suburbs without direct access to the rest of the city, for example. However, it is better to scratch the surface first.

[jennyt13]

I don't see the poverty problem as "someone's fault", since that would require a moral reason as a fundamental cause, and I doubt that's the case.

At a first though, I would look for social, educational, economical and political causes of poverty first. Since a group of humans that lacks a solid social structure, a sufficient number of skilled members, organizational power as well as extra resources to "invest" for development purposes is less likely to be successful than another group that has these elemental needs covered.

That doesn't mean it isn't possible to keep the poor in poverty for immoral reasons; Barcelona's highway belt seems to be designed to leave the poor suburbs without direct access to the rest of the city, for example. However, it is better to scratch the surface first.

ok whatever you said i totally 100% agree with you but...................... too many big words! lol

[sweetangel2128]

you're right about that. but if they need the charity to keep on running why dont they get money from the government?

Honestly? Well for one the government makes us pay tax dollars so they can earn more money, I am sure they have plenty of money but they very greedy.

[Kontroll]

you're right about that. but if they need the charity to keep on running why dont they get money from the government?

Because we'd still be paying for it through taxes. It's not like the government makes new crisp 100 dollar bills every month.

[jennyt13]

Honestly? Well for one the government makes us pay tax dollars so they can earn more money, I am sure they have plenty of money but they very greedy.

they are really greedy. even thoughthey have all that money they still dont support any charity funds that i know off. lets face is the government needs a makeover

[sweetangel2128]

they are really greedy. even thoughthey have all that money they still dont support any charity funds that i know off. lets face is the government needs a makeover

Yeah they do but I doubt that will ever happen

[Simba]

The government works objectively more so than morally or "emotionally."

"If you don't contribute by having a job, you don't deserve money."

[jennyt13]

ok ppl. STOP USING SUCH BIG WORDS!!! some of us arent as smart as the others so plz dont use such big words

[sweetangel2128]

ok ppl. STOP USING SUCH BIG WORDS!!! some of us arent as smart as the others so plz dont use such big words

HAHA. Yeah I agree,

[xBUTTMUNCHx]

Yes and No, depends on your situation.
if i had money to donate i would. i dont like proverty...at fault or not...but thats the fairy tale part of me.

[jennyt13]

i understand where you're coming from but in a way poverty is our fault we spend hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions on things we dont need while there're people out there that are working their ass off just to make enough money for food. and sometimes its the govenment fault for overlooking this fact and sometimes its our fault for not giving a damn about other people except for ourselves.

[Mystic Eyes]

I don't get this whole fairy tale nonsense. It's not fairy tale to be optimistic and positive. If so, so what.

Anyways, poverty has always been around, it's unfortunate and off course governments tend to have their own agenda's when it comes to helping poorer countries. At least some effort has been put into lowering poverty.

[michellerrific]

In my opinion, poverty isn't in our control that much, but more of the government's fault. As of now, they're using majority of the tax money or other federal funds toward things like the war. A lot of that money could help out poor communities. Although I'm not exactly with all this political stuff, that's what I think based on logic.

But then again, who are the people living IN poverty? How did they get themselves there? Drugs? Teenage families? Jail time? (I'm not counting the people who have grown up in poverty all their lives, or through family) It's also their own fault for landing themselves there. If they were more cautious of how they live, maybe we would have less people in poverty.

Oprah, by the way, used to live in poverty when she was young. Now she's one of the richest people. Idk if that was very relevant, but oh well, just a side note.

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

blame the republicans.

no. i dont know. it`s a little bit of everyone's fault.