It's not enough to mean well.
08/27/07 12:30 PM
Good intentions can have bad consequences. Our
welfare system, from LBJ until Clinton's reforms, is
a case in point. Combined with the sexual revolution
it lead to an epidemic of broken families and
fatherless homes which in turn lead to further
poverty and untold suffering.
If we want to help poor people through the political system (I assume we want to and are finding ways to help as individuals and churches); then we need to understand poverty: its definition and causes - before we can begin to figure out how to "cure" it. You want your doctor to make a careful diagnosis before they he starts prescribing drugs and surgery- good intentions aren't enough!
This article provides a lot of background and data that anyone needs to consider as we look for ways to reduce poverty in the US. That's a good goal and should be the aim and prayer of all Christians. But we also need to be wise and be sure we are truly helping. Good intentions might be enough to make us feel better about ourselves, but unless they really help solve the problem (and not make it worse!), they're not worth squat.
Understanding Poverty in America.
If we want to help poor people through the political system (I assume we want to and are finding ways to help as individuals and churches); then we need to understand poverty: its definition and causes - before we can begin to figure out how to "cure" it. You want your doctor to make a careful diagnosis before they he starts prescribing drugs and surgery- good intentions aren't enough!
This article provides a lot of background and data that anyone needs to consider as we look for ways to reduce poverty in the US. That's a good goal and should be the aim and prayer of all Christians. But we also need to be wise and be sure we are truly helping. Good intentions might be enough to make us feel better about ourselves, but unless they really help solve the problem (and not make it worse!), they're not worth squat.
Understanding Poverty in America.
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