Isn't this all wrong here?

Your English is very good by the way and it's great that you have an awareness of others and can recognise that you have a good life but that at the same time others are not so fortunate.

I heard this before: "Sometimes it strikes me how poverty and privilege became silent neighbours and the world just keeps going because it has to." It's very true isn't it?

Something as simple as the country you were born in can dictate the type of life you will have. We have it really good here in Britain (despite how we moan) so in that respect we are really lucky, you can't compare it to third world countries but there is part of me that thinks selfishly and that we need to look after ourselves first before helping others.

I am probably going to sound awful for this but the situation in the poorest parts of Africa seems like it will never get any better, it's wonderful that so many people are trying to help matters there but at present it is a bottomless pit in my opinion and we measure how dreadful it is for them by our standards.

It's an odd thought that we spend money on some of the things we do when some people don't have the basic necessities but it happens and I don't see how unless we start seeing beyond differences and start viewing us as the people of Earth there will ever be any significant changes.

Using America, a consumer based economy, as an example, wealth is accumulated from a societal system so paying taxes is reasonable for the top 5%, who have more money than they could ever spend in a lifetime, a higher tax would make sense if it was then used to do things for the greater good. Wall Street has a lot to be accountable for, not least nearly breaking the global economy.

Many countries were in poverty till not all that long ago but the industrial revolution was able to change that and some poorer countries are only just being able to make use of valuable resources which accounts in part for such a divide.

I am an atheist but recognise that religious charities do some amazing work towards caring for the poor and cannot disagree with the English evangelical and Methodism founder John Wesley when he said:

“Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.”

If you can do something that will make a difference to just one person then that is fantastic and you shouldn't feel guilty.

It's an interesting question you ask, I have never once felt guilty in my life seeing poor starving people. And don't judge me, but I truly feel blessed when I encounter people who are less fortunate. I guess I don't feel guilty because I am willing to do all that I can to help these people. I do feel sorrow for them especially the young ones who grew up only knowing starvation and not what it means to feel full. But when you talk to these people they are definitely more full when it comes to faith. It's been said that God never gives more than we can handle. I certainly believe that, because these people can handle not eating that much food and getting by for another day, but I certainly know that I myself would kill myself if I had nothing. These people are stronger than they may look, and I certainly wish i could do more to help them, but unless you know that you're not doing the most you can, then that's when one should feel guilty.

There's a difference between caring and living in a self generated emo fest.

Helping others is a good thing. Helping so much that you end up in as bad a condition as those you want to help, doesn't help them or yourself. That's a lose-lose plan.

If you want to help, find a charity that you can help with. It doesn't have to be money or stuff, you can volunteer at a place that feeds the homeless.

But, feeling continually guilty for being healthy and in a good situation helps no one.

I think people do care generally, but most feel as though there is nothing they can do on their own.

The problem is also far enough away from their own lives that the are unable to fully appreciate it's depth.

Life is unfair, its a sad reality. The people you talk about get billions a year in world aid but most of that money is spent on military hardware due to corrupt government officials.

You shouldn't feel guilty, though we can do more to help. But we cannot fix their problems for them; they need to stop fighting each other and deal with corruption. But to do that they need to be educated, and that costs money... which goes straight into the hands of the corrupt politicians and businessmen.

Still, that's where we can help. Give money to charities that educate the children (NOT Christian missionaries - religion is part of the problem there) in undeveloped African countries, and you will empower them to one day stand up for themselves and fix/reform their nations with pride and confidence.

it's not an age problem that's for sure!

i'm way older than you are but i do think th same!

i even cry some time for th injustice around th world, but i do not speak of it to mush, when ever i bring that topic, people always say i'm too idealistic!!!

is it too ideal to be more sensible about others?!

there are some others who even said that its b***y of me to play it that way!!!!

i do not understand why humans had lost their humanity side, to th point of taking a sensible person as an hypocrite!

You shouldn't feel guilty. Just be grateful. Then share what you've got with the people you're worried about. Even at 16, you can help.

(Your English is very good.)