Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Rousseau_CHN · 12-28-2002, 04:02 AM

Christmas is over. But I was left in a philosophical mood by one incident. I'll make it short--knowing fully well the short attention span we have. There was this caroler who came to me asking for some 'change'. I gave, without thinking much. She then said, "Thanks mister, you're a good man."

Am I? Is the person giving alms a good man?

There are two sides, as always, to this problem. One, charity is good because you're reaching out to the less fortunate. One the other hand, isn't is teaching children to be parasitic?

p.s. maybe the reason she thanked was because I gave her a 'fortune'. Remember I wasn't thinking much, at that time.

Sabine Grant · 12-28-2002, 06:59 AM

Hello again Rousseau.... well... are we supposed to measure our giving as we give or are we to simply fulfill a need?
We can give by " let me see... I have a one dollar bill and a 10..." or by " here... take this money and get yourself what you need".
It is difficult though to evaluate what the real need is.
I know some folks will not give to a homeless man begging to insure he will not spend it on alcohol or drugs. But there is always a way to give... food, a gift certificate for a hotel room, offer him some work, drive him to a shelter etc....
I am not sure what your question means in terms of children becoming parasitic. I assume that living in the Philippines, you are exposed to many children begging in the streets. If it is the same phenomenon as in Naples ( Italy), those kids were sent out by their relatives to generate money from empathic tourists and local residents. Some would stand by the toll booths and harvest the change given back to the drivers who did not mind getting rid off a few liras.
However I always gave mostly because I knew the kid would get a beating if he came back empty handed.
This is about adults exploiting children. If your little caroler shows up again, escort her back to her home and find out what her living conditions are.
Your sense of charity IMO will be more productive as you attempt to make longer term differences in the life of a begging child. Even if it is only one among a thousand more who are begging.... someone else somewhere is doing the same.

Rousseau_CHN · 12-28-2002, 04:11 PM

Quote:

If it is the same phenomenon as in Naples ( Italy), those kids were sent out by their relatives to generate money from empathic tourists and local residents. Some would stand by the toll booths and harvest the change given back to the drivers who did not mind getting rid off a few liras.
However I always gave mostly because I knew the kid would get a beating if he came back empty handed.
This is about adults exploiting children.

But is't the giving of alms further encourage exploitation?

12-28-2002, 04:02 AM	#1
Rousseau_CHN Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nowhere Land Posts: 441	Why Charity? Christmas is over. But I was left in a philosophical mood by one incident. I'll make it short--knowing fully well the short attention span we have. There was this caroler who came to me asking for some 'change'. I gave, without thinking much. She then said, "Thanks mister, you're a good man." Am I? Is the person giving alms a good man? There are two sides, as always, to this problem. One, charity is good because you're reaching out to the less fortunate. One the other hand, isn't is teaching children to be parasitic? p.s. maybe the reason she thanked was because I gave her a 'fortune'. Remember I wasn't thinking much, at that time.

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12-28-2002, 06:59 AM	#2
Sabine Grant Talk Freethought Staff Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 32,364	Hello again Rousseau.... well... are we supposed to measure our giving as we give or are we to simply fulfill a need? We can give by " let me see... I have a one dollar bill and a 10..." or by " here... take this money and get yourself what you need". It is difficult though to evaluate what the real need is. I know some folks will not give to a homeless man begging to insure he will not spend it on alcohol or drugs. But there is always a way to give... food, a gift certificate for a hotel room, offer him some work, drive him to a shelter etc.... I am not sure what your question means in terms of children becoming parasitic. I assume that living in the Philippines, you are exposed to many children begging in the streets. If it is the same phenomenon as in Naples ( Italy), those kids were sent out by their relatives to generate money from empathic tourists and local residents. Some would stand by the toll booths and harvest the change given back to the drivers who did not mind getting rid off a few liras. However I always gave mostly because I knew the kid would get a beating if he came back empty handed. This is about adults exploiting children. If your little caroler shows up again, escort her back to her home and find out what her living conditions are. Your sense of charity IMO will be more productive as you attempt to make longer term differences in the life of a begging child. Even if it is only one among a thousand more who are begging.... someone else somewhere is doing the same.

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