There are three primary concepts on which society functions: faith, rule of law, and commerce. When these three key functions are allowed to find their optimum, society can really hum along. They act independently, but yet together. There are some overlaps among their functions, naturally. Such as when the ideas of

Each key has a function.

faith form the basis of law, or when the principles of law are used to modify commerce, or when the fruits of commerce are used to support faith or government. Venn diagrams are always interesting and revealing.

The dangers to society though, I think, are when the Venn diagrams of the three primary concepts overlap too much or when one circle overshadows the other. Perhaps we have reached that point of overlap and overshadow.

Over the past few decades I’ve seen the influence of faith fade in the daily lives around me, with its replacement coming either in the sphere of government or commerce. Faith serves many a purpose. One of which is to support charity, and the caring of individuals unable to do so for themselves. As the influence of faith has receded, so has its ability to offer care to those who need it. And instead of that faith-based care, that which was originally called “charity,” the need has been replaced by a faceless societal driver. That driver is from the rule of law, or what we call government.

The Venn diagram of the triad has changed, such that the circle representing faith has gotten smaller, while the circle representing rule of law has grown larger, usurping some of the functions of faith.

When charity was faith-based, the charity was provided by individuals. Charity was then personal. Faith called upon us to be charitable, individually, personally, and offer ourselves to the service of others, on a one-to-one basis. Those in need benefitted as did those who helped. Society was enriched, one helping gesture at a time. We felt good about ourselves.

In an article entitled “Government Usurps Charitable Giving and Nature,” author John Atwood explores this idea. He says:

An act of charity ennobles the grateful recipient and burnishes the kinder spirit of the giver.

As the circle of government has grown larger in the Venn diagram of society, as government, aided by NGOs and activists, has increased its influence within society, we are poorer for the lack of good that is created. As John Atwood points out:

Government can’t bring good to its people, it can only bring force and power and results, numbers, outcomes. The good is within the individual and the people. The “good” government does is only defined by the elites who determine those results, outcomes, numbers and forces to exert.

John makes an excellent point. In other words, governments aided through NGOs and activists, have taken the “good” out of charity. They have helped remove the “faith” we used to have in each other. The faith that we would all do right by each other. That faith has been reduced to

Continue reading Personal Charity vs. Charity-By-Law