When there are thousands of churches in America, why must homeless people sleep outdoors?

Question

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The use of a privately-owned building must be determined by its owner.

What do the tight restrictions placed on the overwhelming majority of CHURCH-owned properties say about their owners, i.e., the Christians?

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For those of you who asked, for two years I was a mental health worker in a shelter for the homeless outside of Washington DC. I have been a counselor that has served as an advocate for homeless mentally ill people as well as substance abusers. I have known the frustrations of having clients who have no where to stay because they have burned their bridges from too many drunken episodes or too little frustration tolerance.

So I am not asking as a person who sits in an ivory tower pointing at the self-righteous below. My office now is in the same building as a family shelter, one that is always full. They residents meet me when I report to work, and say goodnight to me as I head to my home.

Disregarding the Slavation Army, the point still stands. There are thousands of churches that sit empty every night of the week. And in the cities, many of them have homeless people lying on soiled garbage bags for pillows just outside the chancel doorway.

I will put this question to a vote.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, laws are changing to prevent it. they have to first establish an entity seperate from the church itself.

Answer 2

Last summer, we went to visit my grandparent's grave with my parents, and we wanted to see the church as well, it was a very old, historic church. Unfortunately, it was locked up tight. That brought us to a conversation about how the church I grew up with used to be open 24/7, and someone could go in there in the middle of the night to pray, light a votive, and what have you. You can't do that there anymore, they have replaced the sanctuary candle with an electric lamp, the church is locked outside of certain hours, you can't light a votive for someone and leave it lit. To be honest, I think it's insurance companies, and a litigious atmosphere that is driving it, if one of the candles got out of hand and started a fire, or the church was vandalized or robbed because it was unlocked, I doubt the insurance companies cover that these days, and if someone sought sanctuary in the church overnight and got hurt there, they might sue the church for damages, I grew up in a small town where the church was unlocked, and if the priest wasn't there, it was still available to the public. This is not to say that a church shouldn't seek to start programs for the homeless etc, but the insurance companies might have a problem with the church being used as a shelter, where a more formal program offering a fully staffed, seperate shelter is another matter, there would be staff there to watch over things, and probably a whole bunch of rules to cover them and appease the insurance companies. Litigation and insurance companies have caused alot of people, church or no, to not do things that a compassionate impulse would otherwise tell them to do, out of concern of being sued. Sad....

Answer 3

Because the church is NOT a place for people to sleep in, even if you are a member of that church, and the sermon is boring !

But churches do make a tremendous effort to help the homeless.

Another factor to take into consideration, is that many of the homeless have major problems that the church is not capable of dealing with - drug abuse, mental problems.

Why do people assume that the church should deal with ALL the problems of society, many of which the society encouraged in the first place?

Answer 4

I have had dealings with many homeless men and most WANT to be outdoors in the decent weather. Churches do offer shelter during cold weather. Most of the homeless enjoy the freedom of it and the ones that don't, don't stay homeless for long, because there are agencies to help them get back on their feet.

Answer 5

The churches are not proper places for homeless people to spend over the night.

There are so many shelters for people who are homeless if they just follow the rules. Some people just cannot follow rules.

What have you done for these homeless people. It is always the easiest job to blame others and to be critical of others, then you do not have to think what you could actually do for them.

We are here to help each other out...or you can always take the easy road and point fingers at others!!!

Answer 6

Since most liberals believe that the government should be taking care of the people why don't you send in a few extra tax dollars just for that? Or maybe you should just open up your home?

Of the homeless shelters in my area, of which there are three, all are run by Christian organizations. And we still pay our taxes to benefit the silly programs established by the government that do nothing to help people in real situations.
So if you are trying to say we don't do enough, you are simply wrong.

Answer 7

With thousands of homeless in this country why isn't the government doing something about it? They seem to have all our money. Or why don't the ridiculously greedy gas corporations who are charging us almost 4 dollars a gallon be required to house the homeless? Why pick on the small tax paying church-goers?

Answer 8

Most of the homeless once may have had
families of their own, wives, children, friends and
relatives they may have been church goers
and respected members of the community.

They may have been working and earning
handsome wages to support themselves and their families.

Once! just once, let them make the mistake of getting involved in family violence then the whole civilised
society as we call today comes up against the helpless husband.

The so called laws made by and voted for by the people,
for the people, of the people seems to be working against
the people.

First the Policemen, then family Lawyers, the Courts and
the Credit reporting agencies will get at the poor chap and
he loses car, job, credit and friends.
He cannot pay child support without job.
He drinks and does odd jobs and finally
gives up hopes and lands in the street
of the big cities we proudly call the cities
of the number Uno national of the world.

The laws finally bury that guy alive
while the women enjoys with boyfriends.
Please forgive me for reminding the laws
are made and passed by men.

Answer 9

Cute.

Churches just like everyone else have to consider things like insurance and safety for their members. Emotional appeals that we should help the homeless as a way to be critical of christians is a vile attack.

The church we are in is downtown right were all the homeless are. Our services are often interrupted by them coming in and wanting a hand out. We give them food and if they ask for more we ask them to stay till after services and we can help them.

We don't leave the doors open for them to come and sleep but we tell them where they can get shelter and assistance. The women in our church knit scarves and gloves for them that we give out for free in the winter and we also give out blankets. Quite often the people in our church will of go and buy parka's and other warm clothing to distribute to them.

The fact though because we have been dealing with the homeless for so long and I know that most of them are homeless because they choose to be. They are intellegent people and the ones who will stay really know their scripture.

In other words it is a life choice. Its not the church's responsibility to take care of those who refuse to take care of themselves.

Why don't you atheist each adopt a homeless person and invite them into your home if your so concerned instead of being so critical of what you percieve other people are not doing.

Answer 10

I think you will find that Christian organizations do the most for the homeless... providing food, shelter and even job training and counseling. You will usually find a Salvation Army or some other mission and/or shelter in most major cities. The YMCA and YWCA.. are Christian organizations that help the homeless and our youth. The problem of using churches is often one of design and zoning. Many churches provide food and offer housing in the form of houses and apts. for that purpose. What have you done in this regard lately?

Answer 11

Because most of those churches are there for money. They are not interested at all in homeless people.