In what ways can charity be good for an individual but be not so good for society as a whole?

Answer 1

To say charity interferes with more complete solutions to the problems of being in need is like saying that medicine interferes with more complete or natural solutions to disease. Some people talk like that, that we are corrupting our gene pool with people who need medical help to survive. Well, we can fix that at some point if necessary. In the meantime, how does it help anything to let people be sick?

Similarly how does it help society to let people suffer poverty? Poverty is a motivator to get any job or a better job, but only if you can get a job and hold it. I have seen many clients in the 4 years I've been volunteering who have physical illness or mental illness that is enough that they can't hold a job, but isn't enough or hasn't been documented well enough for them to qualify for Social Security disability. These people wouldn't be more motivated in the absence of charity. They'd break down even faster.

The drawbacks of charity that I see aren't for society. They are for people who need help, who need to spend a great deal of time getting help, only to find that help is often spotty and insufficient. How much would people turn to crime or other antisocial solutions without charity? I don't know. I'm surprised the poor aren't more politically active as it is, but not entirely. When you spend all day focused on your survival and the survival of your family, you don't worry about politics.

The only possible drawback of charity for society would be if you think that money could be better spent elsewhere. Money that goes to charity stimulates the economy like any other spending. Is there something else that would have a bigger payoff? I don't see it. I suspect anyone who thinks so knows very little of reality. So no, I don't think charity has drawbacks.

Answer 2

Charity can help an individual get on track and become a productive member of society. It can hurt society if it is creating people who do not want to work,

Answer 3

If charity fulfills a need for a sector of society, it is like putting your finger in a hole in a bucket. It's Ok for a while, but the true problem isn't being addressed. Poverty is associated with increases in crime rates, violence, alcohol and substance abuse, child neglect, child abuse, homelessness, and a myriad of other social problems. These problems have an impact on society as a whole.

Answer 4

The welfare system within the USA is a "charity" type of thing. It teaches people to mooch and not to get out there and work.
They end up expecting others to help them. So, answering your question I will say that INDIVIDUAL charity is the way to go.

Answer 5

Aren't we good little Reagan Republicans around here?

Funny how this argument extends only to it being bad for us to show charity to the needy. Apparently there is no problem in the Reagan doctrine with being generous to the already successful.

Sad, selfish, unchristian philosophy, Reaganism.

Answer 6

well: it's very important when yourself becomes an "Member
with the Organization also they help among others by
Building & Supporting each 1 Community as Sponsored
Foundation whom has local groups of Volunteers yes we do
give special Charities for those programs Today
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