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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWHAT IF?
(This was written in an attempt to reach any truly compassionate conservatives remaining in the world but it may apply to many who stumble upon DU. If you would share via your networks in the hope of shifting someone's perspective along the way, I'd greatly appreciate it. )
What if youre someone who disagrees with governmental social safety nets and instead believes only charity should help those in need; are you confident the majority of the many souls suffering today would be helped by Good Samaritans in an unconditional way, or would only those deemed worthy find the assistance they need?
What if you consider yourself a kind, compassionate person inclined to be charitable, yet when you see someone in need of help you are likely to assess that person before helping, to judge if they are deserving of your assistance? If they dont look a certain way or answer your questions a certain way, are you likely to help?
What if, without even realizing it, you have a habit of judging others to be something they arent; you pass them by, but they would have indeed been worthy of your help even by your estimation yet you didnt give them a chance. Do you perhaps judge others because it's easier to turn away rather than face the reality that the same fate could await you or your loved ones?
What if you stop to consider that you may not be the best judge of what others need, especially when you don't know their story? After all, we each have our own opinions and perceptions based on our experiences. We don't truly know the trials someone has endured -- or is enduring -- without walking in their shoes.
LINK TO FULL BLOG POST: http://www.wishadoo.org/blog/115/what-if-updated/
(photos by Jay Nolan)
mazzarro
(3,450 posts)Thanks for posting it.
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)Now if I would've been a republican, I would've stopped reading past the first sentence. The bastards are not even remotely interested or afected by others suffering.
babylonsister
(171,109 posts)how charitable people who don't believe in government social safety nets actually are, or are they in reality just selfish, and it's all about them?
OneGrassRoot
(22,923 posts)which has often been a spirited debate here on DU.
I definitely think those who lack compassion and who have no desire for justice and equality are out there. They're eaten up with greed and selfishness. I want nothing to do with them any longer and go out of my way to avoid them.
I lump them as the Limbaugh/Beck crowd -- including the ones who finance Limbaugh/Beck.
Yet I also think there are others who aren't quite so entrenched in their selfishness; they haven't taken a good look at themselves and/or haven't been honest with themselves and thus don't even realize how they treat others...or why they treat people as they do.
I have a wee bit of hope there are a decent number of people out there like that.
japple
(9,850 posts)are open. You probably won't reach those who are locked, but it never hurts to try. I think photographs work much better than long text passages, esp. to the ones "that just don't get it." Just my humble opinion.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)I went to the ministers of two large churches and said I needed a job. NOT charity, a JOB.
They were quite wealthy and I wanted to help them spread their message. No more. Now I refuse to set foot in a church.