Learning activity responding to the poor assignment

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Liberty University *

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101

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Philosophy

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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Uploaded by MajorCrownMole19

1 A Christians Responsibility to the Poor In my view, it is accurate to say that the wealthy often have a significant influence on making laws, and these laws sometimes tend to benefit the wealthy rather than the poor. This imbalance in power and resources can create a sense of injustice and inequality within society. When it comes to resolving this issue, the concept of 'share and share alike' and ensuring that everyone gets an equal share of the wealth can certainly be a valid perspective. It promotes the idea of equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, aiming to uplift the less privileged members of society. As believers in Christ, our responsibility to the poor is to show compassion, empathy, and actively work towards alleviating their suffering. Jesus himself taught us to care for the marginalized and less fortunate, emphasizing the importance of love, generosity, and justice. It is our duty to extend a helping hand, provide support, and advocate for policies that promote social justice and equality. The government also has a crucial role to play in addressing poverty and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. It should strive to create policies and programs that uplift the poor, provide access to essential services, and create opportunities for economic mobility. The government's responsibility lies in promoting a fair and just society, where the needs of all individuals, including the poor, are met. Looking at early Western cultures, including ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, we can see that the poor often faced significant challenges and disadvantages. They were marginalized, excluded from political decision-making, and faced societal prejudices that blamed them for their poverty. However, there were instances where leaders recognized the need to support the poor, providing them with food subsidies or assistance.

2 Europe in the 1300s indeed experienced a significant disparity between the wealthy and the poor, which was characterized by the feudal system and the establishment of serfdom. This system allowed wealthy landowners to profit from the labor of serfs who worked on their estates. Serfs, as agricultural laborers, were bound to work for their lord and were limited in their ability to improve their circumstances. While they had certain rights such as the right to marry, have legitimate children, and make legal contracts, their options for upward mobility were limited. Serfs were entitled to protection, justice, and the right to cultivate certain fields for their own subsistence. However, they were required to pay a significant portion of their produce to the lord as fees for land use, the use of mills and ovens, and other services. Additionally, they were obligated to pay the church a tithe, which was a portion of their produce. This system of serfdom perpetuated a cycle of poverty for the majority of the population, as the serfs had limited opportunities to accumulate wealth or improve their economic situation. While they had some level of stability and the right to cultivate their own land, the feudal system reinforced the social and economic divide between the wealthy landowners and the poor serfs. This example serves as a reminder of the historical challenges faced by the poor in early Western cultures. It highlights the need for societies to strive for more equitable systems and opportunities that empower individuals to rise above poverty and create a better future for themselves and their families. It is essential for us to learn from history and strive to create a society where all individuals have equal opportunities and access to basic necessities. This requires a collective effort from both individuals and governments to address systemic inequalities, advocate for social justice, and provide support to those in need.

3 The 1800s marked a period of significant social and economic change, particularly with the Industrial Revolution. During this time, the gap between the rich and the poor became more pronounced, leading to increased attention on the disparities between the two classes. Karl Marx emerged as a prominent figure, advocating for communism and highlighting the class struggle between the bourgeois (affluent middle class) and the proletariat (oppressed workers). According to Marx, the bourgeoisie suppressed the proletariat to maintain their wealth and power. He believed that the class struggle would ultimately result in the victory of the proletariat, who would then take control of the means of production. Under the "dictatorship of the proletariat," the capitalist system would be collectivized, eliminating the distinction between rich and poor. Marx argued that the state, with its laws and institutions, only served to oppress the working class and would eventually become obsolete. However, in the 1800s and 1900s, Western cultures largely embraced capitalism as their predominant economic system, despite Marx's theories. While capitalism promotes virtues such as hard work and thriftiness, it also presents challenges for the poor, as income disparities can limit opportunities for education, skills development, and upward mobility. This highlights the importance of providing support and creating opportunities for the less fortunate to become self- sufficient. Within Western culture, Christianity has long been associated with compassion and charity towards the poor. The teachings of Christ emphasize the duty to care for those in need, with references to providing food, clothing, and shelter to the less fortunate. The parable of the Good Samaritan exemplifies the value of helping others, and various religious traditions, including Hebrew synagogues, have practiced almsgiving as a form of assistance for the poor.

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