Originally posted by: C3PX
I suppose if they were really followers of Christ's teachings, then there would be a lot less massive Church buildings with basketball gyms on every street corner, and a whole lot less starving children in the world. Think what that money could do if it was focused in the right areas. Instead they just throw it back into themselves.
To a degree this is true, but, for the moment, the Christian portion of humanity is still the most giving portion on the planet. It isn’t true to say that Christians give to charity just as much as everybody else. That doesn’t match actual the actual data or statistics.
Otherwise, starving children starve in the world because of war and man-made famines more than anything else. There’s only so much that altruistic individuals can do in light of that kind of disaster without spending more than they should. You see, you believe that spending money on yourself is some crime, but then I would have to conclude that you clearly do not understand how an economy works. When people pay money for wisely invested work, our economy grows. If we give too much to charity, then our economy shrinks. If our economy shrinks, we help less people with charity overall.
Then, in terms of church buildings and Christian ethics, there’s nothing wrong with honoring God by making them beautiful. So long as they don’t spend too much money on that sort of thing, then it’s actually a Christian virtue to worship God with beauty. Balancing the needs of people with the creation of art is difficult, and all people screw it up all of the time, but it’s hardly as if one is always evil in light of the other (that would be ridiculous).
And, as for Jesus, he did teach selflessness to be sure, but do you even know what that means, C3PX? In your mind is it simply giving away all of your money until you are bankrupt? Or, must we all emulate Jesus by walking around like poor preachers as he did? Would humanity even be able to eat if we were all full-time preachers?
Yes, money taxed by the government belongs to it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t call it stealing under the correct circumstances. Though perhaps if we analyzed different policies to that degree then your view of government would become too complicated for you. If you prefer broad generalizations and simplistic answers, then you are certainly free to do so.
Originally posted by: C3PX
Also the things you said about what if the government started a program to pillage and rape, that is so retarded. I am sure if that happened ADM would happily agree with you that they would be wrong. Don't come up with over the top analogies, it makes you sound like a freak. If you want to give a good name to the conservatives think about things before you say them.
I suppose if they were really followers of Christ's teachings, then there would be a lot less massive Church buildings with basketball gyms on every street corner, and a whole lot less starving children in the world. Think what that money could do if it was focused in the right areas. Instead they just throw it back into themselves.
To a degree this is true, but, for the moment, the Christian portion of humanity is still the most giving portion on the planet. It isn’t true to say that Christians give to charity just as much as everybody else. That doesn’t match actual the actual data or statistics.
Otherwise, starving children starve in the world because of war and man-made famines more than anything else. There’s only so much that altruistic individuals can do in light of that kind of disaster without spending more than they should. You see, you believe that spending money on yourself is some crime, but then I would have to conclude that you clearly do not understand how an economy works. When people pay money for wisely invested work, our economy grows. If we give too much to charity, then our economy shrinks. If our economy shrinks, we help less people with charity overall.
Then, in terms of church buildings and Christian ethics, there’s nothing wrong with honoring God by making them beautiful. So long as they don’t spend too much money on that sort of thing, then it’s actually a Christian virtue to worship God with beauty. Balancing the needs of people with the creation of art is difficult, and all people screw it up all of the time, but it’s hardly as if one is always evil in light of the other (that would be ridiculous).
And, as for Jesus, he did teach selflessness to be sure, but do you even know what that means, C3PX? In your mind is it simply giving away all of your money until you are bankrupt? Or, must we all emulate Jesus by walking around like poor preachers as he did? Would humanity even be able to eat if we were all full-time preachers?
Originally posted by: C3PX
Also tiptup, ever hear "give to Caesar what is Caesar's"? Stop complaining about paying taxes.
I never once complained about paying taxes. Nor did I say that government does not have the legitimate authority to tax me. Don’t put your stupid words in my mouth, please.
ADM claimed that government should steal money to supposedly help the poor. I simply clarified that fact (in terms of how I see things of course). If you want to disagree with my evaluation that government is stealing under certain circumstances, then I’m perfectly willing to discuss that unless you’re afraid.
Originally posted by: C3PX
It isn't stealing, they have the right. If you live in America you live a very comfortable and secure life. That might not be as common of a situation as you believe it is. You've no right to complain, and the government has a right to piss on that money as much as they like, being as it belongs to them and all.
Also tiptup, ever hear "give to Caesar what is Caesar's"? Stop complaining about paying taxes.
I never once complained about paying taxes. Nor did I say that government does not have the legitimate authority to tax me. Don’t put your stupid words in my mouth, please.
ADM claimed that government should steal money to supposedly help the poor. I simply clarified that fact (in terms of how I see things of course). If you want to disagree with my evaluation that government is stealing under certain circumstances, then I’m perfectly willing to discuss that unless you’re afraid.
Originally posted by: C3PX
It isn't stealing, they have the right. If you live in America you live a very comfortable and secure life. That might not be as common of a situation as you believe it is. You've no right to complain, and the government has a right to piss on that money as much as they like, being as it belongs to them and all.
Yes, money taxed by the government belongs to it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t call it stealing under the correct circumstances. Though perhaps if we analyzed different policies to that degree then your view of government would become too complicated for you. If you prefer broad generalizations and simplistic answers, then you are certainly free to do so.
Originally posted by: C3PX
Also the things you said about what if the government started a program to pillage and rape, that is so retarded. I am sure if that happened ADM would happily agree with you that they would be wrong. Don't come up with over the top analogies, it makes you sound like a freak. If you want to give a good name to the conservatives think about things before you say them.
Who said I was a conservative?
Second, what’s wrong with strong analogies? Thinking about extreme examples is a technique that has helped the greatest thinkers in history simplify the problems they sought to solve. If you want to dismiss such a valuable tool by calling the people who use it “freaks,” then go right ahead.
Heh, the funniest thing about this conversation is that you two geniuses don’t even know why my pillaging force was a valid example. Even though it is admittedly extreme, when compared to government being an engine for certain forms of charity, there are common principles involved. You’re so quick to make unthinking replies that you don’t even stop to consider what it is that I am actually saying. Who knows, I might even bother explaining myself eventually.
