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The Christian ethic is to nurture the sick and the elderly, amongst other teachings.
The USA is the most Evangelically Christian nation on earth.
Europe has very little interest in religion, with many "Christians" being such in name only.
So:-
Please explain why in the USA the sick and elderly merit scant care and attention, whilst in Europe they are, if anything, over-protected in relation to the general public.

Petter 9 Aug 10
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11 comments

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1

I think American Christianity has become political rather than Biblical. The spirit of Christianity and its lack of interest in politics is well expressed at James 1:27:

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. 

3

It's a good question worthy of examination. My conclusion is that in America, being a "Christian" is more of a label some people hang around their neck to indicate they are a "good person". They don't really require themselves to do any of behaviors (or only a bare minimum) Christianity would require of them, but they have their sign indicating their supposed goodness. When they spend their time cheating, backbiting, and judging their neighbors, they can simply refer to their label of being a Christian to prove they are a good person. Then they can sleep at night.

2

For one thing, the way of life from the social structure stand point has been completely different between US and Europe (In general). Here in the US, kids are pushed out to be on their own when they can pull their own weight ( usually after college ). Distance grow between kids and parents over time. At least used to be that way when this was truly the land of plenty. Not so easy when money is tight. On the other hand, Europeans family nucleus stay based around the old folks for generations by adding rooms to the house or buying next door. They stick together therefore elders are better taken care off. It's a culrural thing. I think both options are viable, it's just a choice.

1

I think it may come down to oppressive economics. Most people don't, because they can't. Not because they don't want to.

0

Jenkins, Philip, 'Mystics and Messiah's: Cults and New Religions in American History'

1

What he says is true.

3

I can't attach religion to community. Animals care for each other and humans would too, without any religious teachings. We were probably already doing it and someone wrote it down.

4

IDK but I took care of my Mum until her death so we aren't all like that in the US.
Many of us do care.

I know an awful lot of adult caregivers for this to actually be true in the US.

3

I remember Bush senior's health care plan was "Don't get sick."

During the health care debate over the ACA, it became clear many Americans believe they won't get sick or hurt because god is looking out for them, or because they believe a certain way. Therefore, their thinking goes, they don't need to buy health insurance and shouldn't be forced to.

Then, when they get sick or hurt, they DEFINITELY want someone, somewhere, to pay for their treatment.

He and that nutless brainless son of his are both too stupid to live.

5

Fundies believe that people are poor, sick and vulnerable because they are "bad" people, therefore they do not deserve help. They believe in the "just world" philosophy - you get what you deserve and you deserve what you get. Sick. USA has a good supply of Fundamentalists.

SKH78 Level 8 Aug 10, 2019

Excellent, fully agree.

5

i have never found the christian ethic to be to nurture the sick and elderly. i have found the main tenet of christianity generally to be to spread christianity, which then teaches the new christians to spread christianity, striking down the resistant along the way.

i would also like to know how in the world you can "overprotect" the sick and elderly. that concept doesn't make sense to me. people who need protection need protection. is there some line not to cross, some point at which we have to let the elderly be abused or the sick further sickened?

g

Most christians I know got ice water flowing through their veins.

"Overprotected" in that some categories of people become disproportionately neglected because of the emphasis placed on the poor and elderly.

@Petter that doesn't make the elderly overprotected. that makes the other people underprotected or unprotected.

g

@genessa Being a pragmatist, rather than an idealist, I look at factors such as budget and tax burden.
The elderly certainly require more protection than the fit, but in Europe they are at times coddled beyond care and protection - because they have a powerful voting influence and are demanding. Not all, I must add.
(I'm sort of elderly, but I have been prudent, not excessively spendthrift. I also grew up in a land where self-sufficiency was paramount.)

@Petter well, i can't speak for european practices i guess. i am getting elderly too and disabled on top of that -- and i sometimes feel pretty lost. there are services i receive without which i might die or have almost no quality of life, but sometimes just getting help with something basic is so convoluted and seems to impossible i have to wonder if the powers that be are waiting for some of us to die so they won't have to deal with us anymore.

g

@genessa None of that where I live. Medical attention is free. I have cancer in my immune system, [mojacar.ws] , diagnosed 4 years ago, a benign lump on a kidney and a strange, intermittent, neurological problem. All I need do is pay 10% of the cost of my medications, and even that payment is capped at around 30 dollars per month. All that is fine. But the government also gives pensioners free annual holidays in tourist hotels, many free, 3 or 4 day coach trips and subsidised hair cuts, etc. All money that could be better spent, I feel.

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