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The homeless population is exploding. What are the causes and how should Christians respond? The Bible does say that God wants us to help the poor. “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble...”.
Hoping for the moderators allowing some leadway as the topic possibly could cross over to secular points.
Donate (financially and with time and in-kind supplies, such as food) to homeless shelters.
Vote for politicians that promote solutions to homelessness. (This does not mean voting Democratic; it means voting for politicians of both parties who care.)
Volunteer in outreach programs, such as city-wide canvassing that helps inform the homeless of resources.
Donate (financially and with time and in-kind supplies, such as food) to homeless shelters.
Vote for politicians that promote solutions to homelessness. (This does not mean voting Democratic; it means voting for politicians of both parties who care.)
Volunteer in outreach programs, such as city-wide canvassing that helps inform the homeless of resources.
Ok. Works for today. But what about tomorrow, Next week? Next year? Can the Curch commit to take care an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives? With limited resources, where is money best used; United States, internationally or both?
Historically, it's been Christians that build homeless shelters and operate food pantries.
I think that may be true, especially when it comes to the food pantries. However, in places such as New York City that have a homeless population larger than the the population of many towns and cities and the US, the shelters are generally more likely to be run by the city itself.
Ok. Works for today. But what about tomorrow, Next week? Next year? Can the Curch commit to take care an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives? With limited resources, where is money best used; United States, internationally or both?
Although I do understand the wider need and have donated that way, I personally tend to donate to two food pantries run locally. I know who runs them, and I know that the money will go to what I gave it for.
On the other hand, when the hurricane hit Haiti two years ago, I made a donation through Episcopal Relief and Development, since I attend an Episcopal Church and they have a presence in Haiti. Since I did that, I've gotten AT LEAST monthly pleas for money from them, and it annoys me no end. I didn't give them a donation so that they could spend it on creating forms and mailings.
As far as New York City goes, where I worked for the better part of the last 40 years, I like to donate to City Harvest, which recovers food from restaurants and grocery stores and distributes it to the needy. I mean thousands of pounds of food that would end up in the garbage, which is shamefully wasteful.
Ok. Works for today. But what about tomorrow, Next week? Next year? Can the Curch commit to take care an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives? With limited resources, where is money best used; United States, internationally or both?
Why don't you propose some answers?
Why are you asking if the "Curch" can "commit to take care of an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives" when (1) homelessness is often temporary and (2) I specifically state to vote for politicians who care about ending homelessness? Churches don't receive enough donations to replace a government safety net.
Why are you asking if the "Curch" can "commit to take care of an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives" when (1) homelessness is often temporary and (2) I specifically state to vote for politicians who care about ending homelessness? Churches don't receive enough donations to replace a government safety net.
I am not attacking your ideas.
Homelessness is expanding. You said vote for politicians who care about ending homelessness. How does government end this problem? Is it even moral to take more money from taxpayers to fund this huge endeaver?
The homeless population is exploding. What are the causes and how should Christians respond? The Bible does say that God wants us to help the poor. “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble...”.
Hoping for the moderators allowing some leadway as the topic possibly could cross over to secular points.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PuppiesandKittens
Donate (financially and with time and in-kind supplies, such as food) to homeless shelters.
Vote for politicians that promote solutions to homelessness. (This does not mean voting Democratic; it means voting for politicians of both parties who care.)
Volunteer in outreach programs, such as city-wide canvassing that helps inform the homeless of resources.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SumTingy
Ok. Works for today. But what about tomorrow, Next week? Next year? Can the Curch commit to take care an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives? With limited resources, where is money best used; United States, internationally or both?
Quote:
Originally Posted by PuppiesandKittens
Why don't you propose some answers?
Why are you asking if the "Curch" can "commit to take care of an ever expanding group of indigents for the rest of their lives" when (1) homelessness is often temporary and (2) I specifically state to vote for politicians who care about ending homelessness? Churches don't receive enough donations to replace a government safety net.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SumTingy
I am not attacking your ideas.
Homelessness is expanding. You said vote for politicians who care about ending homelessness. How does government end this problem? Is it even moral to take more money from taxpayers to fund this hugh endeaver?
The question might be: Why are they homeless? Because I know people who have a disability, but were denied SSDI which would have kept them from loosing their homes and given them a means to support themselves. As a matter of FACT the Social Security Administration will automatically deny all but the terminally ill or dying the first time someone applies, which can mean that of living on the streets. Once on that downhill spiral, it's difficult to climb back up. Most do not have the means to support themselves while applying two, three or four times.
Historically, it's been Christians that build homeless shelters and operate food pantries.
Historically programs have been funded that provide for shelter like Habitat for Humanity and such.
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