Originally posted by @wolfgang59Pretty sure it was A. Lincoln, right after he punched a cherry tree for not returning an overdue book.
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" often attributed to Mark Twain.
But Mark Twain attributed it to Disraeli !
However there is no evidence that Disraeli ever said it let alone invented it.
(I know this because I was pulled up on it in a pub quiz)
Originally posted by @wolfgang59The Ghost was there sir when Disraeli said it. 😏
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" often attributed to Mark Twain.
But Mark Twain attributed it to Disraeli !
However there is no evidence that Disraeli ever said it let alone invented it.
(I know this because I was pulled up on it in a pub quiz)
That info might come in useful when it next pops up in a pub quiz.
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Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeThis is a very salient observation.
Nearly half of all Christians in the United States think that a person's poverty is due to lack of effort.
A poll by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 46 percent of Christians see poverty as the result of individual failings.
"There's a strong Christian impulse to understand poverty as deeply rooted in morality — ...[text shortened]... /publications/freethought-today/item/30451-christians-are-more-likely-to-blame-poverty-on-effort
I think that evangelicals have always felt it necessary to justify their wealth by such assertions.
Christ's admonishment in Matthew 19:24 seems to be a fairly airtight case against it.
Originally posted by @wolfe63It’s not how much money you have, it’s what you do with the money you do have.
This is a very salient observation.
I think that evangelicals have always felt it necessary to justify their wealth by such assertions.
Christ's admonishment in Matthew 19:24 seems to be a fairly airtight case against it.
Originally posted by @romans1009It's what you do with the money you don't have that causes problems!
It’s not how much money you have, it’s what you do with the money you do have.
Originally posted by @wolfgang59Great point.
It's what you do with the money you don't have that causes problems!
Originally posted by @tom-wolseyThe commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Who should a person care more about.
a) A complete stranger from a foreign land with unknown motives, asking for money
b) Your family (including yourself)
c) A fellow citizen with unknown motives, asking for money
Remember, by picking one, you are placing their importance above the rest.
Originally posted by @whodeyAre not today's corporations the same as the moneychangers in Jesus' time?
Yes, Jesus would run for political office and tax all of the wealth out of the Roman empire.
Good call Suzy.
But then, that is not how the story went, is it?
Originally posted by @tom-wolseyWhy don't we just work to eliminate ALL poverty?
Each individual case of poverty has to be looked at separately. Some people are flat out lazy, others make poor decisions, and others are in poverty due to circumstances beyond their control.
Originally posted by @suzianneThat didn't answer the question. Are you implying that we should show the same love for every individual on the globe including our closest family members, children, spouses? If so, do you make sure to show the same love for Donald Trump that you would for your child? I'm going somewhere with this.
The commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Originally posted by @freakykbhBut the face they would make after they said it. 😕
One could almost say perfectly unfair.
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-duke“Saving our planet?”
"Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth…these are one and the same fight."
Ban Ki-moon
The hubris in that statement is truly breathtaking.
You oughta see George Carlin’s take on humans who think they can “save the planet” - or that the planet even needs saving.
Originally posted by @suzianneBecause if we are going to be honest, we must admit that poverty is a condition that cannot be wiped out entirely. Again, there are multiple causes for poverty and some of those causes are self-inflicted. You can't permanently prevent people from inflicting damage upon themselves or making poor decisions. I know by first-hand witness, there are people who could contribute to society and work and pay taxes, but they would rather take what the government will give and stay home. I suspect that by your standards, we should pay sluggards 50 or 60 grand a year to stay home and do nothing?
Why don't we just work to eliminate ALL poverty?
Originally posted by @tom-wolsey to SuzianneBoy, oh boy, if this is really what Suzianne thinks should be done, it's going to be really easy to criticize and dismiss. 50 or 60 grand? Gosh.
I suspect that by your standards, we should pay sluggards 50 or 60 grand a year to stay home and do nothing?