Religion
Related: About this forumFeeding the Hungry vs. Antigay Activism: A Double Standard for Religious Freedom?
http://religiondispatches.org/feeding-the-hungry-vs-antigay-activism-a-double-standard-for-religious-freedom/BY HOLLIS PHELPS, RYNE BEDDARD NOVEMBER 13, 2014
If youve watched the news or been on social media at all this past week, youve by now probably heard that, along with two other ministers, 90-year-old WWII veteran Arnold Abbot, was arrested last week in Fort Lauderdale, FL for feeding the homeless, which he has done for over 20 years through his organization Love Thy Neighbor.
Created in 1991 as a tribute to his wife, LTN provides, among other things food, shelter, and counseling to Broward Countys substantial homeless population. The non-profit, interfaith organization cites as its motivation two very simple concepts. We believe that We are out brothers keeper and we should Love thy neighbor as thyself. Under the new ordinance, Abbot and his co-conspirators face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Although the city has received much deserved criticism we also wonder why the ordinance, and Abbots arrest for allegedly violating it, havent been portrayed in terms of religious freedom. The whole situation has been labeled as silly at best and coldhearted at worst. Nicki Grossman, who runs the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, told the Sun Sentinel that she has received emails telling her that the city has no heart. But, at least as far as we can tell, it seems that virtually no one has pulled out the First Amendment in defense of Arnold Abbot.
We draw attention to this because, as RD has frequently noted, appeals to religious freedom have become commonplace in the face of perceived government overreach. Indeed, the weekend before last, thousands gathered at Grace Community Church in Houston for I Stand Sunday to draw attention to religious freedom in the face of perceived political intimidation. The immediate cause of the rally was the Houston mayors offices recent subpoenaing of the sermons of five area pastors who supported a petition on a ballot measure to repeal an equal rights ordinance. The speakers at the rally widely interpreted that actionwhich, it is important to note, has since been limitedas a direct assault on their religious beliefs and violation of their freedom to practice them. Tony Perkins, president of the ultra-conservative Family Research Council, said that the mayors office was trying to silence the voices of the churches and the pastors.
more at link
stone space
(6,498 posts)That I would just find annoying, as an atheist.
Oh really?
stone space
(6,498 posts)...and showing the meaning of a Bible quote leads to arrests.
I see that you find that fact funny.
Surely you can see a difference between their approach to Bible quotes and your own scattershot literalist approach, which entails neither thought nor risk nor understanding.
Their actions have helped me as an atheist to understand this particular Bible quote.
Your silly scattershot literalist approach doesn't enhance understanding.
It just results in annoyance, which is not the same thing as understanding.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)You've given me lots of laughs.
pinto
(106,886 posts)For some San Luis Obispo college students, Thursday nights are spent downtown at Farmers market shopping for fresh vegetables and participating in Bike Night. But for the members of Finer Things Thursday, a group of Cuesta and Cal Poly students who get together to feed the homeless, Thursday nights mean potluck dinners with friends at Mitchell Park.
Finer Things Thursday got its start last year when political science junior Colby Carter wanted to take her friends weekly potluck dinners outside, to people who would really appreciate a warm meal. Carter said a goal of Finer Things Thursday is to bring together groups of people who may not otherwise interact and to blur the lines that separate homeless people from the rest of society.
Finer Things wants to eliminate the division between us and them, Carter said. I dont like seeing myself or my group of people, and then everybody else.
Every week a different theme is chosen and approximately 5 to 15 students bring food to eat while they share stories and talk like lifelong friends to any homeless person who shows up for a warm meal and friendly conversation. Animal science sophomore Megan Sexton said the groups decision to have a potluck dinner where the students sit and talk with the homeless is what separates them from other organizations such as the Salvation Army or the Prado Day homeless shelter.
I think we have more of a relational sit-down dinner where we can get to know them, Sexton said. Actually talking to them and getting to know their stories and stuff is different than if we were just handing out food.
Even though the students are the ones doing the giving, they feel that they are on the receiving-end as well. When communications freshman Adrienne McIntyre began participating this year, she was doing it largely based on her faith and because she wanted to be able to help out the homeless population in a way she wouldnt be able to from the comforts of home. As the year continued, she began making friends with the homeless people who regularly attend the potluck and learned about their lives.
http://mustangnews.net/local-students-hope-to-blur-lines-of-homelessness-with-potluck-dinners/
cbayer
(146,218 posts)pinto
(106,886 posts)The group's point is valid, in action. All around. It's fun to see.
I know a lot of the locals and have met local students that I would likely never meet unless we had some other connection in the community. And it's just a pot luck get-together, no more nor less. Simple stuff. People stand around and do what they do at a picnic.
I usually try and bring some "to go" stuff - single cans of V-8, string cheese, fruit cups, bagels, peanut butter, plastic utensils I get from the deli, etc. When I can.
Sometimes the hosts don't quite get how to greet me. Am I a recipient or a donor is the query of sorts.
I'm both, I say. They all laugh. All around.
Oh, and we all eat.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)I think it's wonderful that you are both a recipient and a donor.