The first biblical reference used by Christians to back up their beliefs is one of the 10 commandments, ‘love thy neighbour, as yourself’. This is an instruction to Christians from god to love everyone. This is a vital teaching in Christianity along with agape love which both show that no matter who it is or what they have done, they deserve you’re love, and if they deserve your love they also deserve your help. The fact that the Commandment features, ‘as yourself’, show that it is important not to be selfish and that Christians should share their assets rather than keeping them all to themselves. This reflects the belief that although there are enough resources to equip the world with their requirements it is not distributed evenly, and to provide everyone with the food, medicine, water supplies etc. Christians must be selfless.S
Christian teachings that support these beliefs include the book of Job, in the Old Testament. In this book it is explained why innocent people should suffer, by telling the story of Job who was a successful and respected businessman in the east until her lost his property, his children and he got an awful disease. Obviously, Job was shocked by this sudden turn of events, but no matter what his friends said, he refused to blame god. A wise man called Eljhu told them that God was not punishing Job by proving his power and that God really cared. Soon, God returned Job’s success. The meaning of the story is that God does care about everyone, even those who are suffering, and that those who do suffer need to be patient. This story shows the biblical reasons for suffering, whether it is hunger or disease. The story also helps us understand that suffering does not come as a result of sin or evil, and God will help them if they can prove themselves loyal and patient.
‘God created human beings to look after the world and rule above other creatures; the fish, the birds, livestock and all of the creatures on the ground. God created humans in his own image’. (Genesis 1:26-28). This extract explains how God had given responsibility to humans to look after the world he had made. This idea of looking after the world God has given is called stewardship. This belief means that because it is humans’ role to look after the world if anything is wrong, such as hunger or disease it is up to humans to sort it out. Christians will, therefore, donate money to charities, do voluntary work or help suffering people in order to fulfil their task given to them by god of looking after the welfare of the world.
The suffering of Jesus is a way that Christians explain why suffering is necessary. Jesus was nailed to a cross to repent for everyone’s sins, before he was crucified he is said to have said ‘It is accomplished’, this implies that Jesus’ suffering happened for a reason, which it is believed to have done, and reflects the view that all suffering happens for a reason.
As well as charities, Christians who are not involved in these organisations do their bit, as the saying goes, ‘Charity begins at home’. The help they provide can be something as little as prayer. They will do this by praying for the conditions of the third world citizens to improve and for them to get the food and resources they require to live without hunger. For Christians prayer is very meaningful, for non-religious people the act will seem rather futile, but Christians see prayer as a way of asking god for something whether it be an answer to a question or money to solve debts. The fact that they are praying for people they don’t even know, makes this a very selfless and meaningful act, and if nothing else, at least shows that they are sympathising for the people that suffer from hunger and disease.
Christians also have a fasting period which is known as Lent. The period is similar to that of Ramadan which is practiced by those of Islamic faith and takes place between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, making it a 46 period, consisting of 40 days of fasting. Traditionally, Lent took place to empathize with Jesus during his 40 days of fasting and resisting temptations, but today, more commonly, the act is not only done to increase self-discipline, but also to empathize with those who are not as fortunate as themselves. In doing this they are putting themselves in the shoes of sufferers of hunger and disease all over the world.
Some Christians will also respond to world hunger by taking action, in events such as marches or protests. An example of this is during the G8 summit, when it is believed that thousands of Christians took to the streets to expresses their feelings on the unfair treatment of third world counties and suggest ways of dealing with it. In doing this they are trying to gain the attention of the people, such as the world leaders who are part of the G8 summit, with the power to change the treatment of the third world countries and help those who are suffering at the hand of hunger and disease.
Another, more hands on method of helping those who are less fortunate, is travelling to the LEDC countries and doing voluntary work. Although this method is more expensive, it is helping people directly so unlike giving money to charity, they get a real sense to how they are helping and it is much more rewarding to know tat you have improved someone’s life first hand. I have a friend called, Sam Roselli, who is Christian, and who, last year, travelled to South Africa with his family to help build a school in a small village. Having spoken to him, it is clear that doing this really opens your eyes to the problems that are affecting millions and gives you a real sense of satisfaction to know you have helped.
For Christians who want to make a difference but can’t afford to contribute to charity, there are organisations such as Operation Christmas Child. This charity works to improve the lives of children affected by hunger and disease by sending boxes of toys, games and aid directly to them. In doing this they are helping people directly and like voluntary work, you know how and who you are helping. This act is done under the commandment, ‘thou shall love thy neighbour as yourself’. Also they are spreading their wealth which reflects the Christian views against rich and poor and instead believe in a world where everyone is equal. Although, I think it is wonderful to do this and love the idea that I can share my positions with someone less fortunate than me, I, personally, do not support this charity because within the boxes, Operation Christmas Child stashes Bibles and Pro-Christianity leaflets to try and convert to children to Christianity. Personally I think it is wrong to do so because at such an age the children are very perceptible to things and using this along with the fact that they are poor to convert them to Christianity is frankly immoral.
CARITAS Internationalis is an association of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service groups, active in over 200 countries and areas, who work to achieve a better world for everyone, in particular for the needy and oppressed. CARITAS works with every one of all races, genders, or religions, making it one of the world’s largest charities. CARITAS’ services include integral development, emergency relief, advocacy, peace building and respect for human rights, and their aim is to provide a charity that doesn’t threaten the people’s dignity. Some Christians may support this charity because of its unique methods of working within communities, and donate to it as a way of combating hunger and disease.
Christian Aid, a charity founded in 1945 with the name, ‘Christian Reconciliation of Europe’, works in sixty of the poorest countries in the world, helping, alongside other charities, with everything from building to education. Importantly, this charity helps wherever help is needed, no matter what race or religion. Christian Aid, unlike other charities, doesn’t have a specific issue that it tries to deal with; instead it campaigns for a variety of causes, some of the main ones are climate change, fair-trade and world debts. In the past Christian Aid has been involved in such campaigns as the ‘Trade Justice Movement’ and the ‘make Poverty History Campaign’. Another project that Christian Aid has helped in is the Fairtrade Foundation, co-founded in 1988 by Christian Aid. The Fairtrade Foundation was set up to ensure that people producing raw products in the third world are not ‘ripped off’ by world businesses and making sure they get a ‘fair’ deal when selling their goods. As well as this, Christian Aid has campaigned since 1992 for supermarkets to trade in fair-trade products, to ensure that world traders get a fair deal for their produce. This has been very successful, as now over 100 fairtrade labels are able to be bought across England. The aim of fairtrade is to stop all exploitation of third-world farmers, and to do this they say the fist step is to reduce world debts. The extra money they get for their produce will help boost economy and hopefully result in self-sufficiency.
These policies are very popular with Christians. The fairtrade system helps the less fortunate and support justice and equality. These beliefs also reflect the 10th commandment ‘love thy neighbour’ as well as the parable of the sheep and the goat, they also agree with all Christian morals. Christian Aid gives it’s donators a choice to where their money goes from a range of important and potentially life-threatening issues, therefore this scheme abides by the bible’s teaching which says that money should be given to those who need it, making this a very suitable choice for Christians that wont to make a difference.
‘Love thy neighbour’; this quote literally means that everyone in the world should unite. This means helping, sticking up and being responsible for one another when they are in need. On the other hand, just as this quote means that people should unite for the good, it also means that people who commit sinful acts share the responsibility of their actions with the world, however good these people are. This is an example of where Christians are not responsible for everyone on the planet because it is unfair that generous, loving and caring people should take responsibility for the wrong doings of other Christians, because no matter what religion, there are always extremists who twist the teachings of their religion to justify their sinful actions. Therefore, this would be an example of when Christians are not responsible for everyone in the world.
The parable of the sheep and the goat, when Jesus tells people that they are blessed because they have fed the hungry, shows how Christians show care for those who have less fortune or more ill health than themselves. The way Jesus said “When you did not do this for everyone else you did not do this for me”, he is saying that to reject a fellow human being who is in need of your help is to reject God himself which is the worst sin of all. Also, the people in the parable of the goat and the sheep didn’t really know what was going on; this could suggest that it doesn’t matter if you are unfamiliar with the problem; it is their responsibility to take care of it. In this parable, it doesn’t actually say the religion of the people that are said to have been helped; I believe that this is because it shouldn’t matter, because as a Christian they should practice Agape love, which is a love for everyone, regardless of their faith or race. This view is expressed in the bible in the story of the Good Samaritan.
The fact that Jesus died on the cross in order to repent for everyone’s’ sins, shows an example of how Christians should be responsible for everyone because although Jesus was just one man, he took the punishment for all the wrong-doings that had ever been done by Christians, showing ultimate responsibility. Therefore, because Jesus is Christians’ icon, they should follow his lead in being accountable for everyone, no matter where they live. However, practically, Christians are taught to seek forgiveness for their own sins by praying, showing that they are their own responsibility and it is not the fault of other Christians.
The wealth of ones self does have a direct impact on the responsibility they have as well. For example, it would be stupid for a Christian who is struggling to provide for his family to donate large amount of money to charity because this would cause more financial trouble for them which could lead to them being the subject of a charitable organisation to get themselves back on their feet. This is represented in the saying, ‘Charity starts at home’, and shows how the Christian them-self comes first; so before they get any responsibility for anyone else they must make sure that they are provided for.
An example of how Christians are responsible for others because of the Christian belief that the community of the world is ‘one body’, and therefore everyone is united because without one part of the body the rest will find it harder to function, consequently we all need each other to survive. Also, in the eyes of the Vatican, ‘if you do not feed a dying man, you are killing him’, which means that if you don’t take responsibility you are as good as murdering the people that need help and the fact that ‘thou shall not kill’ is in one of the 10 commandments (the 10 ultimate rule for Christians that must be followed above all else) shows how important it is.
In conclusion, although practically, it is very hard for Christians to be responsible for everyone –no matter where they live, that is what it takes to be part a religion, especially one like Christianity, whose principles are based around having a love for everyone. The definition of a Christian is someone ‘showing a loving concern for others’, therefore to be Christian you have the responsibility of other on your shoulders, but however strenuous that task sounds, a Christian who follows that rule is supported and loved by the responsibility of millions of others.
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