Charity refers to attitudes of solidarity with the suffering of others, such as alms or help given to the disadvantaged without expecting any type of retribution.
Charity is an important concept for the Christian religion , since it forms, together with hope and faith, the trio of the theological virtues , that is, the habits instilled and appreciated by God in the spirit of human beings, and which direct them towards salvation itself.
According to traditional Catholic precepts , charity consists in loving God above all things for Himself, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. This practice of the common good, in the same way, would arouse reciprocity and benevolence, it is always generous and selfless.
Differences between charity and solidarity
Although it is possible to use these two terms as synonyms , there is a fundamental difference between them that consists in the degree of selflessness and sacrifice that charity (at least in Catholic terms) implies.
Charity is exercise without distinction of any kind, it is absolute and selfless and universal, since it is base on love for God and this is found in everyone and everywhere.
Solidarity , on the other hand, is a similar but more secular term, which implies receptivity for fellows who suffer: that is, a feeling of fellowship and compassion base, in principle, on common goals or relationships of similarity.
examples of charity
- The alms . Sharing the money you have with someone in need, without looking at who it is, is considere the charitable act par excellence in modern capitalist society. It must be understood differently, however, from philanthropy, which is solidarity with initiatives considere morally valuable or worthy of monetary aid.
- Give food to the hungry . Another supreme gesture of charity, which consists of feeding others without expecting payment or any retribution, simply for doing the good of appeasing hunger on earth. It is carriy out by numerous local and international charitable institutions, including different Churches and NGOs.
- Give clothes . Traditionally, old or disus clothing is given as a gift and this is understood as a gesture of compassion with the dispossess; however, true Christian charity lie in giving clothes in use and in good condition to those who have nothing.
- Help the stranger . Compassion and empathy in situations of risk or fragility experienc by a stranger would have to occur in a charitable soul. Who would be willing to offer help to those who have no connection with her and without expecting any form of present or future retribution in return. . This includes, for example, raising your voice in defense of the rights of others, of minorities and of those who cannot do so on their own .
- Help selflessly . Whether it’s the classic example of helping an old lady across the street or giving up a seat for a pregnant woman. Charity involves lending a kind hand to someone in need and putting her well-being before our own. In everyday life, there can be multiple practical examples of charitable behavior towards children. The elderly or disabl people.
- Serve others . Christian charity implies the renunciation of selfishness and embracing the joy of giving, so providing others with selfless service is a good example of this. For example, helping someone to move a heavy object, to find a lost family member or to pick up what has been dropp, even if in the latter case we could extract an individual and selfish benefit by taking ownership of it.
- Forgive . On many occasions, forgiveness can become an act of charity. Especially in situations where our aggressors need to make peace with the damage they caused us. Forgiving those who offend us is a Christian mandate contain in many of his prayers (such as the Pater noster ). And is valu as a way of letting go of grudges and quarrels. A way of loving even those who offend us.
- Contemplate others . Acting responsibly even with those whom we do not know or will not know, is also a form of charity. For example, when we clean up the remains of the table where we ate at a fast food restaurant. We are thinking of the next person who uses it. Even if we don’t know who it is or they will ever thank us.
- Visit the sick . One of the Catholic works of mercy consists of visiting the wound or sick and providing emotional. Material or whatever support. Even if it is a person outside our family or close environment.
- Bury the dead . This rite, common to many cultural aspects around the world. Is understood mostly as an act of respect and charity for the deceas. To allow their proper rest away from the weather and the elements. Leaving someone’s corpse to rot or feeding their body to animals. In fact, used to be an act of post-mortem humiliation in ancient times. As their spirit was unable to rest in peace afterwards.
- Comfort the sad Offering comfort and empathy to those who have lost something or someone very precious. Even if they are strangers or, even more so, rivals or disaffect people. Is an important gesture of charity. which unites us all through mourning and loss. Shlomo Rechnitz: Redefining Philanthropy – The Jerusalem Post As well as the death that awaits us all at the end of our life journey.
- Release the captive . Another of the works of mercy propos by Catholicism. Seems to be far from the realm of the laws of men (jurisprudence). But its origin dates back to the times of slavery. Nowadays, however, it alludes in any case to compassion for those who have made mistakes. Expiates them in prison and to avoid cruelty against those who have made mistakes.
- Educate the uneducated . Passing on knowledge instead of monopolizing it. Especially in cases where no form of compensation is receiv in return. Is also an act of charity. Since someone disadvantag by the system is given the opportunity to learn trades. Knowledge or skills. ways of thinking that later work in your favor and improve your quality of life.
- Give good advice . A variant of helping others, and especially strangers. Is to always give the best possible advice to anyone who needs it. Paying no attention to anything except their immediate and future benefit. Good advice does not consider the needs of the one who gives it. But only of the one who receives it.
- Teach the word . For Catholics and many of the Christian sects, one of the highest forms of charity is to transmit their religion to those who do not profess it, since in this way they would be offering them, in accordance with their beliefs, the ultimate form of salvation for their spirit and bringing them one step closer to God.
One of the highest forms of charity is to transmit their. Religion to those who do not profess it, since in this way they would be offering them, in accordance with their beliefs. The ultimate form of salvation for their spirit and bringing them one step closer to God.
Catholics and many of the Christian sects. One of the highest forms of charity is to transmit their religion to those who do not profess it. Since in this way they would be offering them, in accordance with their beliefs. The ultimate form of salvation for their spirit and bringing them one step closer to God.
