Perception of poverty and persecution

I read this this morning.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2015/sep/04/christian-politicians-wont-say-it-but-the-bible-is-clear-let-the-refugees-in-every-last-one

The bible says we should let in every refugee, whether rich or poor. Poverty does not come into it. I read about a Syrian family that had three houses. Two were sold over the last four years and the last was bombed and they were literally living in a cardboard box on the side of the road.
Who decides who is rich and who is poor?

Gracesgran, this is what many want to see, the poor grovelling , how dare they have the same hopes , want the same things for their children as the 'hard working man' and I don't mean a semi with a car in the drive etc

These refugees who have arrived have hope and the really poor have no hope of a better life.
I have been through some rough times with no money the end of the week I'm sure many on GN have had to do the same, and many are still struggling. But if what you have is not enough and there is no hope of it ever becoming better for the ones you love and have to care for, then that is terrible poverty.

I can't bear people who think that the poor shouldn't have a phone or a TV. Should poverty be a punishment then?
A civilsed state should make provision for its poor and disadvantaged and accept- human nature being what it is -that a small percent will misuse it.
That is no reason not to increase benefits and try to do the best for those who can't manage on their own, and not sink to the level of almost accusing all the poor of cheating like the Conservatives do.

That's very much my feeling Anniebach but the idea that those on, as Cameron chooses to call it "Welfare" should parade their destitution horrifies me. The loss of the insured social safety net may be one of the Conservative's aims but how many of us have agreed to that. This is not a charity, it is a system we have paid into.

I am so angry at the judgement of what 'the poor' should have, what their children should have, how they are judged for using food banks and anyone with a mobile phone whilst on benefits are cheats. The criticism of the refugees being well dressed is unbelievable , some want them in rags and shoeless

In no way do I think that refugees should be destitute before being given asylum. They are as much eligible to be granted asylum as anyone else from that country in my opinion.

The poverty one is a much more complicated issue, which I for one dont want to go into.
[Even the definition of poverty in this country is flexible. Some charities deliberately move it, in order to still be able to say that there are 15% of children below the breadline or whatever].

As to the poverty issue I don't think it is changing. For as long as I can remember people have been saying those on benefits shouldn't have televisions, cars, mobile phones etc but I think the refugee thing and the persecution they have suffered is quite new to some and they don't understand the concept. We who are older lived through the persecution of the Jews and they lived among us when they came to this country but to some here that didn't go well. History repeats itself no matter how we try to change it.