[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Wasillaguy

Your assumptions, while dramatic, don't reflect my attitude at all. Your cynical stereotype of the cruel, selfish individualist is I'm sure a convenient outlet to direct your anger.
The facts, however, stand in bold contrast to your view. Capitalist, Christian, free enterprise based societies are by far the most charitable, with the highest levels of volunteerism.
I don't expect you to understand or believe what you can't see for yourself though. I just do what I can and have faith that I'm trying to serve my God as he taught, while recognizing I will fall short of the mark, and am forgiven.

While the bolded statement is true, it is also true that the social democracies such as those in northern Europe are more generous and engaged in improving the lives of the poor than we are. I think that this is the Pope's point.