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Originally Posted by ThoughtAddict 
You're free to believe what you want about the world, no matter how depressing. What I'm saying is that the world isn't the way you believe. The world isn't so cold. More than 10% of people in bad situations crave a better life, and are willing to work for it. Yes, there are people who seek to exploit good deeds. These people are often those who don't have any hope for a way out. But they don't make up such a bulk of the population. In my inner circle of friends, 3 of the 6 have been recipients of pure charity. Two are pursuing law, the other is an author and journalist. Eliminate charity, and you'd have done away with those 3, or at least altered their ability to pursue these goals.
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Your last point is a mater of circumstance. In my life, I haven’t encountered those situations, though I haven't sought out charity success stories (maybe I am only looking for stories that support my beliefs?). Yet, we all have heard and seen stories of people who abuse social security and the welfare system.
Further, my jaded view is probably the result of me not receiving charity, when I felt I should have. Thus, my view, when written, looks more childish than cold.
I suspect that if I was exposed to more success stories such as your friends, my frigid outlook on the world would thaw a bit.
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Originally Posted by ThoughtAddict Like I said, you're free to believe what you want. I'm not sure why you'd want to live in a world that sees leeches rather than human beings, but it is your choice. There are other choices. Other worlds you could live in. There are wonderful people in those worlds, if you choose to join them there. |
The world is what is, and how we perceive it is a matter of circumstances and attitude. I am very lucky, in a way, that I did not receive charity. For I suspect that it would impart feelings of guilt onto me. There are some people who were able to achieve a college education without charity, even when they came from the most desperate situations. And if they can do it, without charity, then is charity necessary? My over all view is that, charity is good only when properly given, and horrible when given improperly. That is why I view charity, as whole, to be negative for society.