David Brooks / Matthew Desmond - Faith and the Problem of Poverty

[@theologylab1]

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[@gyfung]

I loved this conversation around the root causes of poverty and the role a neighborhood can play. I particularly appreciated David Brooks' story around his experience being embraced by a loving community during a low point in his life, and also how he's wrestled with the complexities of how best to be generous. I'm going to check out weave! I also hear Matthew Desmond's call to "take a beat" and think about how changes in our consumption can make a difference.

[@theologylab1]

Thank you, @gyfung! I was also moved by the way they described the meaning and potential of neighborhood movements, and loved the "take a beat" notion from Desmond.

[@karenrice-i9m]

Excellent interview. Good questions with thoughtful responses.

[@selinov]

As a former semenarian, it's lovely to hear a sincere inclusion of faith in the context of social economics and hyper-individualism. Thank you for giving me a bit more to be optimistic about today. 👍🏾

[@theologylab1]

@selinov, appreciate your engagement with the video, and a hearty yes to your note about a faith that might be able to help us see beyond individualism.

[@JoeMarcucci-s3z]

A world with less poverty would mean an opportunity for everyone to flourish! At minimum, that means all of us becoming more aware and committing ourselves to opening doors to create opportunity--especially the church.

[@theologylab1]

Yes! Thank you, P. Joe. A 'non-zero' response, as you say, would make a real difference.

[@selinov]

…and that "flourishing" is the threat to those who see themselves as superior.

[@justinchoi2832]

A world with less poverty would mean a rise in healthier families and more relational health in our respective communities!

[@theologylab1]

Thanks @justinchoi2832, I like the connection you make between a reduction in poverty and a rise in areas of health that sometimes go unnoticed in these discussions.

[@erickmoy3944]

I shoveled my neighbor’s driveway this morning after watching this

[@theologylab1]

@erickmoy3944 - I love this comment sooooo much. Amazing. As I write this comment, I am literally looking out on the street referenced during minutes 32-35 of the video, and I haven't shoveled yet. 🙃I gotta get to it, plus some extra shoveling!

[@erickmoy3944]

A world with less poverty would mean a fundamental shift in society occurred where we see each other as more than a number.

[@theologylab1]

Wow. Love this. A beautiful word on the importance of seeing everyone -- everyone -- for the valuable persons they are.

[@BobQuigley]

Faith requires poverty. The more impoverished and sick the better. Mother Teresa built a small empire on the suffering of others. World leaders responsible for the suffering used her as a dodge against their duty to lead for all humans. Why should government do anything to help the poor? Teresa was helping them get a ticket to heaven through their suffering.