Regarding the new Orleans discussion, I don't think many people can comprehend what N.O. is all about. Let me explain why N.O. can never be compared to many other cities.
I have lived there and so has my father's side of the family. It's a town full of people who know nothing about the outside world. Many of them know only about New Orleans and the area around it. They don't take vacations to California, New York, Texas; they go to Slidell or maybe Baton Rouge. The question is, is it my right as a Christian to help them or should I condemn them as a capitalist and say that they need jobs? What if there are no jobs? Obviously there are very few right now.
This is the problem I have with the "capitalist" stand on things. Capitalism is extremely short-sighted. Yes, money is great, but what happens when that money is swept away by an un-controllable force? Christianity is a way of life which explains that it is wrong to horde possessions, because there is a good chance you will lose them, and then you will become what you so hated. This hatred is what Jesus came to show us. He gave up his own life, something you obviously value over even money, to show that even the most important thing in your life can be taken away by an un-controllable force.
Let's say you lost your house to the hurricane and have no money because your assets were literally washed away. Don't give me this "I am prepaed for anything, blah blah" because I've heard it before and seen it fail. Since you told me that you pass up "bums" because they are too lazy to get jobs, what makes it any different that I see you as this bum and push you aside like yesterday's garbage? Had I stopped to help you, I would have realized that you are intelligent and know things I might not. I might even give you a job. You do not see the future when you look only for money, and this is what Jesus was trying to tell you. "Stop, help others, and in return, you will be helped." Of course it's hard, but making money or getting an education isn't usually easy is it?
Last edited by Majisto; 09/28/05 08:41 PM.
