Phil: I don't think government can solve most or even many of the
problems individuals face.
Eric: The question nagging at me is "How can we know that until we
demand that government try to do so?" Ever since the Dark Ages,
churches have filled gaps in social responsibility, but we don't
really know what governments can or cannot do until they try.
Phil: Rather, it is up to individuals to take responsibility for
their own well-being along with the well-being of their neighbour.
It is the strength of being religious that allows one to extend the
notion of the neighbour to include all human beings.
Eric: But wouldn't a well-developed sense of civic virtue do the
same on the local level? "This raving alcoholic tramp is my fellow
citizen" should work as well as "this raving alcoholic tramp is also
a child of God." The difference seems to be scope--citizens versus
all humans.
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