Were religions historically charity based?

[_CaliforniaKid]

I just realized the OP was about charity, not morality. Now I feel pretty silly. This is what I get for posting while distracted by the TV.

[_zeezrom]

I just realized the OP was about charity, not morality. Now I feel pretty silly. This is what I get for posting while distracted by the TV.

What you said was still very interesting. :)

[_madeleine]

I just realized the OP was about charity, not morality. Now I feel pretty silly. This is what I get for posting while distracted by the TV.

What you said was still very interesting. :)

I agree, it was interesting, and relevant.

Roman society was very stoic, there was no compassion for those lacking in the basic needs of life. Jesus Christ gave Himself as God among us, declaring that loving thy neighbor is the greatest commandment of all.

So it is rooted in morals, but Christianity can't be reduced to a moralism. That is an error. All things flow from the center: Jesus Christ, who is not a moralism, but a Person.

[_Buffalo]

I agree, it was interesting, and relevant.

Roman society was very stoic, there was no compassion for those lacking in the basic needs of life. Jesus Christ gave Himself as God among us, declaring that loving thy neighbor is the greatest commandment of all.

So it is rooted in morals, but Christianity can't be reduced to a moralism. That is an error. All things flow from the center: Jesus Christ, who is not a moralism, but a Person.

Jesus didn't invent charity. It's common to almost every human society.

https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexi ... 9bcd037ad3

[_zeezrom]

Jesus didn't invent charity. It's common to almost every human society.

Well, if he did then you might ask why didn't he come to earth at the beginning?

[_Aristotle Smith]

Jesus didn't invent charity. It's common to almost every human society.

https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexi ... 9bcd037ad3

No it's not, and if it is, the article you linked to proves nothing of the sort. From the abstract you linked to:

First, as regards the republican period, Roman charity was invariably given with either political or ego-driven motives, connected to ambitions for friendship, political power or lasting reputation. Second, charity was almost never earmarked for the most needy. Third, Roman largesse was not religiously derived, but rather drawn from personal, or civic impetus. Last, Roman charity tended to avoid any set doctrine, but was hit and miss in application.

That isn't charity in any sense we use the term nowadays. I can't view the whole article, and I'm not paying $12.50 for something I probably already know about, but the article seems to be describing a combination of Greco-Roman benefaction practices, mixed in with client/patron systems common in the Mediterranean. I can't say this more clearly: this is completely at odds with the concept of love/charity as espoused and taught by Jesus.

[_Buffalo]

Jesus didn't invent charity. It's common to almost every human society.

https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexi ... 9bcd037ad3

No it's not, and if it is, the article you linked to proves nothing of the sort. From the abstract you linked to:

First, as regards the republican period, [b]Roman charity was invariably given with either political or ego-driven motives, connected to ambitions for friendship, political power or lasting reputation. Second, charity was almost never earmarked for the most needy[/b]. Third, Roman largesse was not religiously derived, but rather drawn from personal, or civic impetus. Last, Roman charity tended to avoid any set doctrine, but was hit and miss in application.

That isn't charity in any sense we use the term nowadays. I can't view the whole article, and I'm not paying $12.50 for something I probably already know about, but the article seems to be describing a combination of Greco-Roman benefaction practices, mixed in with client/patron systems common in the Mediterranean. I can't say this more clearly: this is completely at odds with the concept of love/charity as espoused and taught by Jesus.

In other words, it was exactly like every other kind of charitable giving. Thanks!

[Guest]

In other words, it was exactly like every other kind of charitable giving. Thanks!

No, thank you! You are a complete idiot and I am finally motivated enough to put you on ignore. Thanks for giving me back whatever part of my life I would have spent interacting with you in the future!

[_Buffalo]

In other words, it was exactly like every other kind of charitable giving. Thanks!

No, thank you! You are a complete idiot and I am finally motivated enough to put you on ignore. Thanks for giving me back whatever part of my life I would have spent interacting with you in the future!

Calling me an idiot proves that Jesus invented charity. Good call.

I have an interesting article about the psychology of charitable giving somewhere. I'll have to dredge it up and post it.

[_madeleine]

I agree, it was interesting, and relevant.

Roman society was very stoic, there was no compassion for those lacking in the basic needs of life. Jesus Christ gave Himself as God among us, declaring that loving thy neighbor is the greatest commandment of all.

So it is rooted in morals, but Christianity can't be reduced to a moralism. That is an error. All things flow from the center: Jesus Christ, who is not a moralism, but a Person.

Jesus didn't invent charity. It's common to almost every human society.

https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexi ... 9bcd037ad3

"First, as regards the republican period, Roman charity was invariably given with either political or ego-driven motives, connected to ambitions for friendship, political power or lasting reputation. Second, charity was almost never earmarked for the most needy. Third, Roman largesse was not religiously derived, but rather drawn from personal, or civic impetus. Last, Roman charity tended to avoid any set doctrine, but was hit and miss in application."

The word charity, being rooted in the Latin caritas, means loving-kindness towards all others. This is the Christian meaning of charity, which means, charity flows from unconditional love, not ego-driven motives, ambitions, political power, reputation or fear.