FLANDIDLYANDERS
22nd September 2006, 04:39 AM
First an apology. I have pasted this phrase in a few threads... which was a little naughty. ;)
Just thinking aloud, really.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a consumer. I'm a teacher with 4 children and a doting wife. We own a few possessions - like these laptops for one!!!
I am a hypocrite.
But then, we all are, I suppose. After all, "hypocrisy is the greatest luxury".
And we all live in great luxury in one way or another, we all go to some lengths to make ourselves comfortable.
I've always bought FairTraded or local products, avoided going on holidays and don't own a car. I also live in a rented council house (govt housing, if you are american).
But 've been making some lifestyle changes, not least of all reducing my hours at work so I can get about in the community a bit more - as an artist, as a teacher, as a consumer or as a parent...
And so I've been challenged about this thing;
Go live with the poor, you'll find Jesus and Church right there. Or your money back!
It's a phrase I've made up after having talked with some friends who have shared experiences and of some blogs and books I've been reading - I usually only read sci-fi or comics, so this wa a brave step for me!!!!
Now I know very little about the Poor, in many ways. (in other ways I am poor - no money, no car, no house, etc) So I am just as curious and stoopid as any one else in regards to this;
Go live with the poor, you'll find Jesus and Church right there. Or your money back!
Anyone else feel the same and have any ideas of how to "downsize" or become "downwardly mobile" in order to live with the poor, rather than just being charitable. And how does this affect Church/church?
----------------------
Buying Fair Tade is a great start - but is it enough to continue to maintain our lives of relative luxury even if its fairly sourced?
I also understand these issues are different for Americans as you have such a huge divide between rich and poor and your government doesn't provide free housing or care or food for homeless, esp. families and children, for some reason.
I live in the most densley populated and one of the poorest cities in the UK. But our poverty doesnt even begin to compare to the USA; so, again, I realise comparibles may not be easy.
Just thinking aloud, really.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a consumer. I'm a teacher with 4 children and a doting wife. We own a few possessions - like these laptops for one!!!
I am a hypocrite.
But then, we all are, I suppose. After all, "hypocrisy is the greatest luxury".
And we all live in great luxury in one way or another, we all go to some lengths to make ourselves comfortable.
I've always bought FairTraded or local products, avoided going on holidays and don't own a car. I also live in a rented council house (govt housing, if you are american).
But 've been making some lifestyle changes, not least of all reducing my hours at work so I can get about in the community a bit more - as an artist, as a teacher, as a consumer or as a parent...
And so I've been challenged about this thing;
Go live with the poor, you'll find Jesus and Church right there. Or your money back!
It's a phrase I've made up after having talked with some friends who have shared experiences and of some blogs and books I've been reading - I usually only read sci-fi or comics, so this wa a brave step for me!!!!
Now I know very little about the Poor, in many ways. (in other ways I am poor - no money, no car, no house, etc) So I am just as curious and stoopid as any one else in regards to this;
Go live with the poor, you'll find Jesus and Church right there. Or your money back!
Anyone else feel the same and have any ideas of how to "downsize" or become "downwardly mobile" in order to live with the poor, rather than just being charitable. And how does this affect Church/church?
----------------------
Buying Fair Tade is a great start - but is it enough to continue to maintain our lives of relative luxury even if its fairly sourced?
I also understand these issues are different for Americans as you have such a huge divide between rich and poor and your government doesn't provide free housing or care or food for homeless, esp. families and children, for some reason.
I live in the most densley populated and one of the poorest cities in the UK. But our poverty doesnt even begin to compare to the USA; so, again, I realise comparibles may not be easy.