Which Is It?

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Which Is It?

February 16, 2014 by kmabarrett

When I feed the poor they call me a saint. When I ask why so many people are poor they call me a communist.

— Brazilian Roman Catholic Bishop Dom Helder Camara

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2012	Sick Of Being Sick
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2010	The Runner’s High
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Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes | Tagged Bishop Dom Helder Camara, On Charity, On Communism, On Economics, On Politics, On Poverty, On Religion, On Sainthood, Philosophy, Quotes | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on February 16, 2014 at 5:49 pm | Reply Marie Hunter Atwood

I’ll bite. Where are they coming from?
- on February 16, 2014 at 8:58 pm | Reply kmabarrett
  
  In the case of this specific quote, I believe “they” would be the landed gentry and wealthy capitalists in Brazil.
  
  They would be seeking to preserve their position, status and individual wealth by “talking” populism and patriotism, but actually supporting corporate interests. Much as what happens in the rest of the world generally and in the U.S. specifically.
  
  It’s just the way of the world…
  - on February 17, 2014 at 7:46 pm | Reply Marie Hunter Atwood
    
    I am afraid that you are correct, but I do so hate to think so. it is the reason Jesus wasn’t accepted by a large portion of the Jewish people who had been looking for Him for centuries. Of course they were led by those in charge who had other agendas than the ones stressed by our Lord. We don’t change overly much, do we? Thanks for your reply..
    - on February 17, 2014 at 9:19 pm | Reply kmabarrett
      
      No, I’m afraid humankind hasn’t changed much in the last few thousand years. It’s a shame our compassion hasn’t kept up with our technology in the same period of time.
      
      You are always welcome! Thanks for your continuing comments! 🙂
on February 16, 2014 at 4:39 pm | Reply Marie Hunter Atwood

There are so many things that could be learned from this one sentence I hardly know where to begin. Those in positions of authority should probably expect the stones that will inevitably follow especially if you are engaged in doing good things for others. It seems the world has forgotten compassion and empathy for the sake of voicing criticism. Why or how that would make one a communist is beyond me especially since by their own propaganda their agenda is for the people. Oh well. the bottom line must by that sometimes one must just consider the source for those critiques and let it go.
- on February 16, 2014 at 5:29 pm | Reply kmabarrett
  
  Hi Marie,
  Thank you for the great comment!
  
  I don’t believe asking why there are so many poor makes one a communist. Just as I don’t believe anyone who makes that comment has an agenda which is for the people – although they may certainly have propaganda which says they are for the people. I guess the real question is which “people” they “are” for – certainly not the many people who are (and remain) poor.
  
  Your point is well taken… Let’s consider the source of the critiques.
  🙂