From: "Richard Hong" 

>> I feel that reaching out without teaching the concept of responsibility
only hurts the recipient and does them an injustice. <<

Larry,

This is where Christianity engages the "golden rule" crowd.
  Your statement logically leads toward a philosophy that negates
mercy in favor of justice.  Any kind act of charity toward anyone who had a
hand in their own malady could be construed as allowing a person to avoid
taking responsibility for the consequences of their own actions; it defines
"mercy" as doing such persons an injustice.

Central to Christian faith is the understanding that we have been *spared*
having to be accountable and punished for our sins.  Does that make us
weak? Is God doing us an injustice because God has made forgiveness
available without penance?

Rich

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5