Foreign Aid. A Christian Duty?

[Theland]

A recent dialogue between Michael,Portillo and Rev Richard Coles.
Coles claimed that the 0.7% foreign aid target was a good thing.
Portillo said it took away choice and the incentive for charitable giving.
I agree with Portillo.
What do you think and why?

[Old_Geezer]

I think we have a moral duty to help our fellow humans in genuine need. So choice should have little to do with it; no more than, say, we have a choice to not commit a crime. This aid is best organised by an authority, but one that listens to the democratic will of the people.

[Old_Geezer]

BTW, I don't think duty is restricted to Christians.

[waterboatman]

We send too much money abroad, when it could be better spent here.

[johnk]

Anything that feeds the starving is best,forget all the arguments

[cassa333]

We still give generously during times of great need. We give squillions on charityothon nights and when a natural disaster stickers we are first to offer a helping hand.

As a nation we are caring and generous. However I think the aid budget is far too high and given out for almost anything and often just goes into the pockets of mafia style organisations.

Our aid budget should be paired down and given in exceptional circumstances such as flood, famin, and natural disasters etc.

Then only after that to help specific areas that have a real need.

Stop all the stupidness of giving to girl bands. It just feathers the nest of a few.

If there is no real impact of making community lives (not a select few) better then they don't get it.

[MallyJ]

Helping others in a time of need is something we all should do and has bog all to do with religion. Giving aid to others in any form should be done from a desire to help not because any deity orders you to do it under threat of not reaching paradise when you are dead. I really don't like being threatened.

[Peter Pedant]

sorry to heark back to books written 2000 y ago

buit wasnt there a story circulating then
about s/o helping s/o else - he didnt say - let the pharisees do it, I have given them enough money

but he just rolled up his sleeves and helped

and the ethnic group was specified - Samaritan - because it was kinda cross border help - samaritans didnt normally help Jews - and that was one of the points of the parable.

Just a thought on a Tuesday. Why ask Portillo when you can ask Jesus?

( as Umm might comment - what ARE you prattling on about Peter? I dont know WHAT you are talking about !
Answer - the parable of the good samaritan [Lk 10-25] specifies the group of who is helping whom because they usually both didnt help outsiders. OK well yeah the parable may not actually have happened - it was just a fr'instance and it was 2000 y ago and times change)

[Peter Pedant]

jesus I am the only one to see the direct connection to the good samaritan - what a godless lot you all are !

[Old_Geezer]

If one is without God, then all are. If one has a God, then all do.

[Theland]

Given my own limited resources, I would rather give my money to my local charities and food banks, but that choice is taken away from me to some extent and I give what I can but without foreign aid I could give more.
I also have family members in need of serious help.

[douglas9401]

Thanks to modern crossing technology I'm able to pass by on the other side should the fancy take me.

[Theland]

How delightfully funny. Oh my word what clever humour.

[Theland]

Hours later and still reeling with mirth.
Delightful.
You missed your vocation.
Am sure you will be applauded by the usual suspects.

[Theland]

I bet you all could think of many ways the money could be used to help people in our own country?
Starving babies inYemen is a worthy cause, but so are sick babies in Claire House children's hospice, Alder Hey children's hospital, our local food bank for hungry children.