Do you think a church or faith group should be able to house the homeless?

Question

Isn't it part of being faithful to help the homeless? Should the courts be able to tell faith communities what is and is not part of its ministry?

So far this is what the city has done:
Refused to allow Northshore UCC to file a permit to host Tent City 4 on its property;
Sued the church for not having a permit;
Argued that ministry to the homeless is not part of the church’s religious mission;
and
Claimed that an outdated 2004 agreement with the church was still operative in 2006, and that the church violated that agreement by bringing tent city to its property.
For those who don't know: tent city is a group of homeless people who live in tents, they usually stay someplace for about 3 months. They usually stay on church/synagogue property.

Answer 1

It seems that the courts, or the government, are always trying to stop the Church's and the faith groups from trying to help. And the reason is that it takes away from their spending, if any. I believe that anyone, church, faith groups or even you and I, should be able to house and help the homeless get back on their feet. All God's people have the right to live a life that is productive. I am not a religious person but I do feel deeply that we need to take care of the homeless in this country before taking on another countries problems.

Answer 2

very good programs. Many cities will not allow it and use zoning laws to prohibit churches from doing this. All churches should help with the homeless. What usually works is that one group in the city takes the funds and buys a older hotel or somewhere that is zoned and then all the churches support the program there. Also easier to feed people in larger groups.
Feeding the poor has traditionally been the churches job, and it also doesn't use tax dollars.

Answer 3

The homeless sleep on the chruch steps and porch around here.