I have been reflecting....I was not born into adverse places and times. I was not born in Dafur or Palestine, nor was I a Native American in the time of the colonization, or an African-America in Early America. And I began to wonder, Why did God chose me (You) to not be born in those problematic situations? Why is my life so easy and happy compared to others? No one chooses what nation, time, or situation he or she is born into.
Then I realized, in my aching heart, that as an able person it is incumbent on me to speak out for the oppress and give charity.
I can't afford to be lazy or not care, God just blessed me with peace and I have to be appreciative and thankful. I have to return the favor by speaking out and helping those who were not blessed with what I have. I have come to believe through my sadness that it is a responsibility for the able to help the oppressed. People are going through hell as we speak.
Is there anyone out there who has been reflecting about this?
2006-11-28 14:58:08 · 10 answers · asked by Muse 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Betty Boop you don't know the power of words? How do you know if I'm not in action? Grow a heart? If you don't support good staments, do you support evil, feeble ones?
2006-11-28 15:07:50 · update #1
Good for you! If you can help others, it is your duty to do so.
But even while living an easy and happy life, there are many situations when you really have to be concerned first not to hurt the person near you, no matter how many tons of food you send to the poor.
2006-11-28 15:45:48 · answer #1 · answered by todaywiserthanyesterday 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I actually think about this all of the time.
And sometimes, the idea throws me into a world of sadness, because I feel so blessed, but I also feel so much sadness that others were not so blessed.
And it kills me inside to know that so many people out there are suffering, but they were no less deserving of peace and comfort than I was.
And I also become sad to know that so many people out there take what comforts and blessings they have for granted. Simple things like running water, and warm homes usually take a back seat to our angst about traffic and cold coffee. It's a sad world.
Sometimes, though, I think of it this way:
We were most definitely blessed, and because of this? We are most definitely tested. A person with nothing will be grateful for whatever it is that they get. A person with everything is often ungrateful for all that they have.
So, as one of the lucky minorities, it's our duty to give to charity, to help those in need, and to expand our minds to grasp what this world truly is outside of our own sheltered, and often superficial lives.
I'm Muslim, BTW. I know that's not important, but it was addressed to religious folk, and I am one.
And actually, one of the things I love about Islam is the focus put on charity. If every person living in North America and Europe gave the same percentage of their yearly income to those less fortunate, the world would be in a lot less trouble.
2006-11-28 23:11:40 · answer #2 · answered by CutiePie1707 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm only 21, and I've gone through more horrible things than anyone I've ever known. I have been through things that no language can describe. I can empathize with those who are suffering, I can honestly feel their pain, and it only hurts me more. To focus on the pain of others does not make me feel more blessed, it makes me feel worse. I cannot sit and fathom that someone else could feel something as horrible as I have, or even worse, without spiraling into depression.
I have many problems in my life. If I counted them off, I could cry, and possibly contemplate harming myself. However, I am thankful for that I have. I have food, shelter, and small comforts. I have to be thankful for those blessings I have. We all have to be. If we constantly focused on the evil in our lives, and the hardship we all face, we would all go mad.
I only wish I could do more to actively alleviate others' of their pain.
2006-11-28 23:18:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do think and have thought about this a lot and it is why I am so active politically. I also try to make as much time as I can for community service.
However, it is important to realize that it is our duty to stand up against oppressors no what situation we are in. This is emphasized in the Qur'an often. We are servants of God, and being a servant of God means being a servant to society. It means working for a better world, whether you are working locally, nationally or globally.
2006-11-28 23:07:28 · answer #4 · answered by 99 ways to smile 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It bothers me that governments do nothing to help ethnic groups which are being murdered wholesale unless there is oil in the region. It also bothers me that anyone who believes in a single Creator
2006-11-28 23:03:06 · answer #5 · answered by Susan M 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
i have thought about it. and sometimes i wish that no problems would happen.but ur right. God made us to help other ppl who need it so terribly bad. He told us to teach the word and be kind to one another. i really like ur question and thank u for sheding light on the situation.
2006-11-28 23:13:14 · answer #6 · answered by heat1395 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I too, reflect in front of my mirror...
Seriously -
I do. Nearly all religions teach us to help the poor and needy. If we all did as God asked, there would be enough for every person. Mankind has been given enough for the world, yet we don't share as God commanded.
How can we blame God for the suffering of the needy, when we don't share what He has given us? When we don't to as He tells us?
2006-11-28 23:01:06 · answer #7 · answered by dave 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well why don't you do something then instead of just talking about it. What have you ever done for the oppressed except run your mouth like an overflowing river. Kisses Betty.
2006-11-28 23:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
No, but your point is well taken.
2006-11-28 23:12:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the mirror...
2006-11-28 22:59:58 · answer #10 · answered by Kyle 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋