Is Welfare a Right?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Interesting. Does this program exist under all mennonite/amish communities?

Pretty much. And in most, it also is extended to all medical bills and fire storm loss (instead of insurance).

For example, my mother recently had a $30,000 laser neck surgery. All paid by the church, except for a couple thousand which us four boys split up and agreed to pay in advance.

Another family member was caught in the sudden economic downturn which pushed his business with 30 employees to the brink of bankruptcy. His church stood with him and paid the bank loans of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Pretty much. And in most, it also is extended to all medical bills and fire storm loss (instead of insurance).

For example, my mother recently had a $30,000 laser neck surgery. All paid by the church, except for a couple thousand which us four boys split up and agreed to pay in advance.

Another family member was caught in the sudden economic downturn which pushed his business with 30 employees to the brink of bankruptcy. His church stood with him and paid the bank loans of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How does that system determine who is really in need and who is not? What keeps someone from abusing that system by trying to live off it?

[Aquila]

We know from the history of Israel that though the poor, widows, orphans, and strangers had gleaning rights, the poor tithe, and the year of jubilee... more times than not these needy classes were denied these rights.

[Aquila]

I think it's obvious. We'll always have the poor with us. And many of them are in desperate need of public assistance and without it they would perish or live a life of oppression. Therefore, I do not see how any civilized society wouldn't have a welfare system.

However, I do not believe that a federal welfare system is constitutional or a wise idea. Any welfare system should be on the state level and managed locally. In addition, I do believe that state governments should partner with private charities, businesses, and churches to provide a holistic system that doesn't just provide a "handout" but rather works to empower the individual in need with education, certification, or licenses to become a productive citizen in our society. I know a single mom who was on welfare for a few years. She was required to take classes or work a certain number of ours a week to receive full benefits. She chose classes. She became and RN and is making a good living for herself and her child. She's no longer dependent upon the system and she has been empowered without fear of economic or social oppression.

That's a welfare system that provides biblical "justice". The empowerment of those in need... not just a handout "welfare check".

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I think it's obvious. We'll always have the poor with us. And many of them are in desperate need of public assistance and without it they would perish or live a life of oppression. Therefore, I do not see how any civilized society wouldn't have a welfare system.

However, I do not believe that a federal welfare system is constitutional or a wise idea. Any welfare system should be on the state level and managed locally. In addition, I do believe that state governments should partner with private charities, businesses, and churches to provide a holistic system that doesn't just provide a "handout" but rather works to empower the individual in need with education, certification, or licenses to become a productive citizen in our society. I know a single mom who was on welfare for a few years. She was required to take classes or work a certain number of ours a week to receive full benefits. She chose classes. She became and RN and is making a good living for herself and her child. She's no longer dependent upon the system and she has been empowered without fear of economic or social oppression.

That's a welfare system that provides biblical "justice". The empowerment of those in need... not just a handout "welfare check".

Its fine by me if welfare is managed on a local level. However, I think the funding tax must be done on the federal level so individuals can't move to another state or community to get out paying for it.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by jfrog

How does that system determine who is really in need and who is not? What keeps someone from abusing that system by trying to live off it?

It's not a "system" that determines it - it's family friends and church deacons. It's not a specific allotment or entitlement that they receive, but rather people that know you and love you ensuring that you are warm, dry and fed.

IMO it's the intimate human interaction that limits the abuses.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Yeah they should, but do they?

Maybe if people had been helping people the welfare program never would have begun...

Besides if tax payers are the kind of people that want to help others why be upset about the government using your money to do it?

This is the crux of the issue in my opinion. Because of our level viewing field and the fact we do not know all the folks who are suffering, government agencies put in place to help makes welfare much more efficient. In my opinion churches and government working together to help provides people with assistance and that without a constructed set up would not get the aid they need.