Аннотация: Good deeds, gratitude and solidarity. And the values of the Bible. A culturological essay.
Good deeds, gratitude and solidarity. And the values of the Bible. A culturological essay.
I came across a mention on the Internet of a British woman who provided two rooms in her house to two women from a country in a difficult situation. She was transporting at own car these two women to a Polish supermarket (due to eating habits, due to they being unaccustomed to a British food) ... She spent on them forces, energy, time, and - directly or indirectly - the own money.
A resident of the UK is disappointed by the lack of gratitude from her guests. She mentions not having received the 350 pounds centralized payment due.
It seems to me that this situation is an occasion to remember the Bible and examples of doing good deeds not in anticipation of gratitude, but out of conviction in the correctness of such deeds.
May be, is possible and such a view of the situation.
A resident of the UK is disappointed and perhaps even offended. However, she lived in her house with two women for about a month (or more). No matter how different the three women are, they are people of the same circle, and they are able to live under one roof.
A resident of the UK, perhaps, perceives herself as a representative of a prosperous country, who is carrying out a charity event in favor of residents of a country experiencing difficulties.
Let me suggest that her guests believe that a large area of the globe is in a difficult situation, but the difficulties are unevenly distributed, and they (due to circumstances) found themselves at the 'forefront', at the 'edge of events', and because of this they (those who experience the brunt of disasters) are (in a sense) benefactors, and the inhabitants of prosperous countries are the beneficiaries (objects of beneficence) from those who are suffering the most difficulties.
I will supplement these reflections with the idea that a simple politeness, a simple words "thank you" show of a person from the good side, and it is not so difficult to find the strength (and the inner inclination) to pronounce this words. Moreover, in all cultures of the world, a hospitality was perceived as a positive human quality. But if someone endured suffering "for others", then this also was receiving a positive assessment and a deserved gratitude.
Whatever the specific views of anyone, let's hope that the values of the Bible will help to strengthen a common solidarity.
(In addition to general reflections, there are also specific situations, there is also intuition ...).
August 27, 2022 19:47
Translation from Russian into English: August 27, 2022 20:41.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Благие дела, благодарность и солидарность. И ценности Библии. Культурологический очерк'.
{ 3145. Благие дела, благодарность и солидарность. И ценности Библии. Культурологический очерк.
MMMCXVI. Good deeds, gratitude and solidarity. And the values of the Bible. A culturological essay.
Vladimir Zalessky Internet-bibliotheca. Интернет-библиотека Владимира Залесского}