Transcript Compassion - Camas Enterprises

CHARITY
A series of socio-political discussions for Lent inspired by Jesus’ last words from the
Cross
1. The Future of the Welfare State: How far can
compassion extend?
Agenda
1. Share information about yourselves: in what ways do you
personally pay for and benefit from the Welfare State?
2. Gut reaction: sum up your view of the future of the Welfare
State in one sentence.
3. Consider and discuss the evidence on the worksheet:
• What does the Word from the Cross tell you?
• How does it fit with wider biblical evidence?
• Do contemporary words change the picture?
• How do current facts inform the debate?
• Consider the topical questions
4. Have your views changed? What can you personally do about
it?
Other biblical evidence
How can the richest 1% (or
10%) be made to contribute
their fair share ?
Can the state afford to be compassionate?
Are we going through an economic paradigm shift in
which we have to get used to near zero growth and an
ever-increasing concentration of wealth?
Word from the Cross Compassion
“Mother here is your son;
Son here is your mother”
• UK national debt stands at over £1
trillion (£17,000 per person)
• Many benefits (including unemployment) are now
means tested. If you have savings you get no benefit.
• The Government plans to limit sickness benefit for taxpayers to one year,
regardless of illness or fitness to work
• Household benefits are to be capped at median household incomes (£26,000).
Less than 25% of employees earn this much (after tax).
Current facts
Contemporary quotes
“How blest are those who show
compassion; compassion shall be shown
to them”
“ 72% of the public supports a cap on
benefits despite knowing it will force
some families out of their homes. They
would not exempt children’s allowance.
Times are hard and attitudes are
hardening.” (Andrew Mackie,
The Herald)
Questions that arise
The value of giving: “Go sell what you possess and give
to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
“ The system actively makes benefit dependency a lifestyle choice
and effectively condemns children to a life of poverty and lack of
ambition.” (Iain Duncan Smith)
The lure of money: “woe to you that are rich” and “you cannot serve God and
• The UK
debtfor
stands
at £x
interest the
payments
y% ofthan
GDP
Mammon”
andnational
“it is easier
a camel
toand
go through
eye of aare
needle
for a rich man to enter Heaven”.