Atheists Help The Poor & Homeless???

Question

Christians, separately or as members of churches, operate thousands of homeless shelters, food & clothing drives, soup kitchens, and aid organizations, nationwide, with no similar effort by atheists and atheist organizations. If atheists are as superior as they endlessly claim, why don't they care more for their fellow human beings?

Instead, in an obvious attempt to distract from their own inaction, many ridicule, insult, and belittle, the very Christians and churches who are doing something - cowardly doing so knowing most Christians won't respond in kind.

In my opinion, neither group can claim superiority over the other without tangible and substantial proof of that. Christians certainly have that in the things mentioned above; therefore stand head and shoulders above atheists in my book.

To "angk" who says my message wasn't Christ-like, I'm not a Christian. Instead, I'm simply tired of seeing Christians endlessly dumped on here (Yahoo Answers) and elsewhere (newsgroups, etc).

To those mentioning government programs and aid charities, Christians pay taxes and also donate to charities.

To those mentioning the comparatively handful in the Peace Corps, United Way, and so on, Christians are just as involved in those, with a great many more also involved in the things above - not at all a similar effort.

To "parkman" asking if I'm stirring up the nest, that's exactly what I'm doing (about time too).

And, finally, to "Woody" who says I "sound an arrogant little sh it to" him, I'm sure you don't want to hear anything positive about Christians. After all, that would be counter-productive to all those negative comments you've posted in Yahoo Answers in the past trashing Christians and religion in general.

Answer 1

I have wondered if there are Atheist charity organizations similar to christian charities. Maybe someone will fill us in....

Hoping the best for you...

Answer 2

I don't think that there is any person here that can or should claim to be superior. There is only one Superior and HE is the creator of all things. Atheists believe what they believe, and how do we know that atheists don't help people. They may just not do it as publicly like Christians do. Hate is the last thing that should be spread at this time, and it seems to me that when you ever bring something that athiests do or don't do into light, they get angry. So maybe singling out isn't such a good idea.

Answer 3

By definition, Atheists don't have any organizations, like churches. Have you researched the amount of money individual Atheists spend on charity compared to Christians? How about the money people put into disease research, or stem cell research, or other charities? It seems a huge blanket statement to claim that only those who are outwardly religious are capable of charity. I suppose many Christian charities are ridiculed or insulted by non-Christians because many of them use charity as an excuse to spread their beliefs, which seems a bit unfair to me. Pull people in with the promise of food or shelter and then try to convert them.... doesn't seem like you're giving something away, rather that you are blackmailing people into joining up. When Atheists give money or food or shelter, at least they do it without strings attached.

Answer 4

Hmm...comparing apples and oranges? You expect the National Academy of Sciences to open a soup kitchen?

Lad, if you only knew. When I worked just outside Washington DC for a homeless shelter, everyone there was EMPLOYED, i.e., we were all (Salvation Army, county mental health workers, social workers) reporting every day for the bucks it brought us. It was a collaborative effort that worked very well, but it required no special religious bent to carry it out.

While I agree with you that there are a number of excellent religious organizations that have provided charity, many times that is offered with the understanding that those who accept it must surrender their dignity by subjecting themselves to a proselytizing sermon. There are also many people and organizations who have worked for the homeless, hungry and ill who have no religious raison d'etre, including The United Way, Doctors without Borders, numerous women's crisis/abuse/rape programs, substance abuse programs, and employment programs.

I suggest you find yourself a little humility. The church has also siphoned off beaucoups bucks to install pipe organs and stained glass while the members of the community were begging on the church steps. Self-righteousness wins you no points on earth or in heaven.

Answer 5

Atheists pay taxes too, braintrust. Atheists also donate to charities. And no, not all charities are run by Christians. Christians just like to smear their title all over each organization and deserving party whenever they involve themselves. Publicity for the Lord. Very important. Very.

Answer 6

you don't typically find atheistic groups, atheists are people with out religion and so they aren't an organization, there are lots of individual atheists that help people and they don't need to create their own organization to do it, they can either use organizations already in place (those christian, catholic and muslim ones you mentioned) or they can simply help those around them with out aid of organizations (ie. help people close to them by providing them with clothes and food when they need it, raising money to help a poor local family etc) it happens all the time, they just don't feel the need to advertise it because they do it because it's what feels right, not because of religious pressure

Answer 7

ever hear of the peace corps? anyway, it might true that christians may volunteer more of their time than atheists, but that's because they believe that doing so will help secure them a place in heaven. in that sense they're not volunteering, they're trying to earn as much moral capital as possible. also, almost every high school and college in the country has food and clothing drives. when you say tangible proof, you might want to include quantitative information. and finally, i believe atheists typically claim intellectual superiority.... and rightly so. anyone that can believe that what the bible says is undisputed fact after actually reading the thing is either stupid or ignorant.

Answer 8

Oooooooooo!!! Are you stirring up the nest, or what? I think there are many atheists out there who do a lot of charitable work, although not on the same scale as the Christian church. I think you might want to be a wee bit more charitable to them.

Park

Answer 9

Atheists do, in many ways. The difference is i don't shout it from the roof tops wanting a pat on the back for it. I donate to charities because i want to,and expect no reward. Sounds to me you want recognition for it. Your doing it for your own benefit and not because you really want to.

Is the same to be said for you following your religion? Are you doing it because you think your going to get some reward (an afterlife in heaven)? Make me wonder.


You sound an arrogant little sh it to me!

Answer 10

I think you make a very good point. But its not a question.
But I'll overlook that. As an agnostic, I look up to those who are religious (no matter their religion) because they have complete faith and trust in a higher power. I have yet to find that higher power, and I try to keep faith that He/She/It is out there.
I've met lots of Christian, Muslims and Mormons who are very into helping others and I think their souls shine more brightly than anyone elses I know. I look to them for inspiration, and they always seem to have plenty of it.

Answer 11

for one thing buster, how the heck do we claim we are superior to others. so far, the pledge still has 'god' in it...and all those other things. christians are the ones who are claiming superiority to our country, think about it.

and another thing, OF COURSE WE CARE FOR OTHERS! christians just spread it more publically because they feel they are doing their job for go, but they are just trying to get people to go to their church. also, there are alot more christians(especially where im from) than atheists, so there are more to spread their so called love.

i am very insulted by your little speech there, we do alot for the world, whether or not we make a large public display of it.

HAVE A NICE DAY!