A common obligation
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein.
Do we in the western democracies truly live in a civilized society? As I take a look around North America I see homeless people. People sleeping on the streets. I see people in the United States that don’t have health care. To my mind a basic human right.
In Canada welfare, as needed as it is, barely meets the needs of the people that are on it and sadly quite often falls short. Those on any kind of disability pension from the government get equally as little at a time when they need it most.
Government plans if there are any, are woefully inadequate when it comes to helping people out of poverty. Training programs that would give people good jobs are either too costly for the poor to get into or nonexistent.
All this while we are told the top one percent of income earners are getting richer.
Now there is nothing wrong with being rich andare many rich people doing their best to help the poor and disadvantaged. These people are to be applauded for what they do. Still our politicians and indeed those who are in any kind of position be it political or in private industry need to be doing more.
I a Christian believe that all men will stand before God to be judged. And while the Talmud is not a Christian book I think what it say is true when it says,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
The Talmud also tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud
I firmly believe we are our brothers keeper. We need to do all we can to help those in need. Not just to feed and clothe them but to help them become self reliant and a productive member of society.
I know many poor people, as well as people who have disabilities who want nothing more than to work and become a productive part of our society.
I also firmly believe that while individuals may get away with out helping others in this world or doing wrong they will one day be made to account for their actions.
If what I am saying is wrong. Those who do wrong or those who fail to help their fellow man when they are in need, have nothing to fear.
On the other hand if I am right they have a lot to fear.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:9-17
Please think about it.
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