I remember an interview with Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust author. He commented that it is possible to be of a spiritual nature even in the depths of a concentration camp. And he also said that many do lose whatever spiritual nature they have under such conditions. Then that begs whether they were spiritual in the first place? If so, then how do we get the ultimate spiritual nature before we are faced with great adversity that will strive to take the spiritual nature away?

I think spiritual nature (or religion, if you want) is not an on/off switch. There are many degrees in between. What may break one person may not break another. And I have come to accept if it is obvious that someone is of a lesser nature than I, but is still using that nature to better his character, family, and community, I am not in a position to judge that person. Maybe in 10 years he will be at a higher level than I.

Living in concentration camps drains most people of their spiritual nature. To a lesser degree, living in poverty does the same. I have a little experience in that regard.

There was a Canadian study done about income and happiness (I wish I could find these things, but my research skills and/or available time is not there). It seems money does buy happiness but only up to a certain point. The middle class, statistically speaking, was no less happy than the upper class. But the lower class, in their struggles to provide for themselves and families and just not having enough money were not as happy as the middle and upper classes. There is a grind to poverty and that grind keeps them there.

I am a big advocate of negative welfare (or universal basic income). I think when everyone has their basic needs taken care of, we will be a much happier society. And with that happiness will be a higher productivity and prosperity.