Connect with us on Facebook!
Subscribe.
Follow us on Twitter!
Make us your home page!
Authors, sign in!
I've not posted a reply on Dallas Morning News Texas Faith Forum for a few weeks. No problem in particular, just been busy and forgetful. This week's question has to d0 with whether or not we are our brother's keeper, in line with Genesis 4:9 and in light of the Obama administration's plan to help bail out people behind in their mortgages (a gross overstatement and oversimplification of the plan, as I understand it).
That's not an easy question to answer. On one hand the answer is a resounding 'Yes'. Especially when it comes to certain individual applications and to our response to people who are truly vulnerable. But as a collective, as a society, what obligation do we have to people whom we believe were either greedy or just plain gullible? Are we to simply let them 'stew in their own juices'? 'Lie in the bed they've made'? Is it easy to discern between those who were taken advantage of by unscrupulous lenders and brokers, and those who knew what they were doing, but thought that they had the business acumen to make astute decisions before it was too late?
I'll try how to 'officially' answer the question by Monday, but for now, let me say this: if it is true that the web of our economy is as intertwined as some experts say it is, being one's brothers keeper is not a matter of principle - and maybe not even a matter of faith - it may be a matter of self-defense!
If enough of our brothers (and sisters), don't have 'keepers', we all my find ourselves in circumstances nearly as, or just as dire and undesirable.
"...since the morality in question and prudence of pragmatism can be webbed, so it's time to note that in this case being generous through governmental social policy -- ouch! even when we weren't asked -- can leave the nation better off than if foreclosures, unemployment, stock losses, and setbacks occur only to people who were foolish. The economy is worse off than if we can figure out ways to use intelligence and vision and even a warm heart in efforts to keep citizens fiscally afloat and alive. The price of many going down can be that every one goes down. But as we sink, some will find pleasure in indiscriminately judging all whose investments went sour to be cheaters."If those of us who through whatever means, escaped the fate of some of those whose home values have eroded because of bad choices or corruption, can step back from our self congratulation, maybe we could ask ourselves, "What would I want done for me, if I were in that situation?"
It has to do with another verse in the Bible,"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Published March 8, 2009 by Gerald Britt |
Permalink
| Tags:
Economy
Faith
Globalization
Jobs
Outsourcing
Predatory Lending
Recession
Sub-Prime Loans
Unemployment
Comments (1)
Your question is a good one. I think that the right religious and secular answers are compatible, and I will try to say how in my next blog.
Posted by Peter Tramel
|
March 10, 2009 5:10 AM
Posted on March 10, 2009 05:10