Helping the Poor

“It is not un-American to help the poor.”

That's what the bumper sticker said. I don't understand the thinking that led to this particular sticker. First, it's sort of a double negative, “not” and “un-,” and then it implies that someone might think it's not patriotic to help the poor. Huh?

Of course, we know that this particular statement is about current politics in the U.S. We're often told that this is a Christian country, or that the founding fathers wrote our constitution based on biblical principles. But it can be hard sometimes to reconcile Christian belief with American policy.

The Old Testament -- Deuteronomy 14:29 (Contemporary English Version) -- tells us to care for widows and orphans, and to be kind to strangers:

“...You must also give food to the poor who live in your town, including orphans, widows, and foreigners. If they have enough to eat, then the Lord your God will be pleased and make you successful in everything you do.”

And the Holy Qur'an -- (N.J. Dawood, Translator) -- admonishes the believer to be charitable:

“For him that gives in charity and guards himself against evil and believes in goodness, We shall smooth the path of salvation...” (Sura 92, “Night”)

and

“Have you thought of him that denies the Last Judgment? It is he who turns away the orphan and has no urge to feed the poor...Woe to those who...give no alms to the destitute.” (Sura 107, “Alms”)

The New Testament says we should shelter the homeless and feed the hungry. Perhaps the best story of charity is that of the good Samaritan. Recall that a Jew, a victim of a violent beating and robbery, was seen but ignored by a priest and a temple helper. It was the (religious and cultural “stranger”), a Samaritan, who treated his wounds, and saw to his continued care at a nearby inn. When Jesus told the story, he asked, “Which of the three was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by the robbers?” When answered, “the one who showed pity,” Jesus commanded, “Go and do the same.”

So: We have the strength of all the Abrahamic faiths behind the notion of helping those in need, AND those faiths are the major belief systems in the U.S. Of course, none of this helps to decide whether it is or is not Un-American to help the poor. It seems to me, however, that there can be only one sensible answer to this dilemma.

If we claim the label of Jew or Christian or Muslim, then we should act on what our faith teaches us. And since helping the poor is the right thing to do, as we’re taught in our churches and synagogues and mosques, then (to me) it makes good sense to support public policies that endorse what we’re taught (and say we believe), and assist us it doing it.