Blunderov
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"We think in generalities, we live in details"
  
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RE: virus: Jesus Ordered to Stay Clear of Churches
« on: 2005-11-07 01:22:40 » |
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[Blunderov] This from Austin Cline.
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/216629.htm
To be fair, it's not only churches that are 'protected'- "The legislation,
shepherded to passage by Councilman Len Bodack, would ban anyone from asking
passers-by for money between sunset and sunrise. It also bars solicitation
at any time within 10 feet of street food vendors and bus stops, and within
25 feet of outdoor eating establishments, automated teller machines and
lines of people waiting to buy tickets or enter an event."
I wonder what the congregation thinks of begging in general?
In my part of the world we have lots of beggars and I have a quandary every
time I'm approached. If I give them something, I am uncomfortable with the
possibility of being a dupe. And if I don't give them anything I feel like a
heartless bastard.
For many, begging is a 'profession' from which they actually derive more
income than they would by working. One time the politburo gave some food to
a sad case that turned up at our door. When he was further on down the road
and presumed himself to be out of sight, he simply tossed the food and
approached another prospect instead. Apparently his piteous beseeching for
"work, money, clothes, food; anything" (with plenteous hand wringing) was a
cynical ploy.
This strategy has probably arisen because it works more often than not;
people usually just dish out a little cash and move on with their lives
ASAP. Dipping into the small change pocket is much quicker than toiling to
the kitchen to find food or supervising a gardening project. Handing over a
little cash, it seems, is a convenient means of dealing with an annoying
interruption. And once the alms are given, no further consideration of the
larger problem is required. Seemingly, the 'giver' actually gets quite a
good return for his money - a clear conscience. Or the illusion thereof.
The way is indeed beset with thorns.
Best Regards.
<snip>
Pittsburgh: Jesus Ordered to Stay Clear of Churches
The Pittsburgh City Council has updated its panhandling laws to prohibit
poor and homeless people from begging for money or other assistance near the
entrances of "places of worship." I'm sure Jesus would have approved, given
how the gospels describe him as having cleansed the Temple. He drove all the
homeless, poor, and beggars from his Father's House, right?
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05306/599057.stm
Councilman William Peduto, who introduced the amendment, said people
arriving for Mass at churches in some neighborhoods had been asked for
money, and that in some cases panhandlers entered houses of worship and
solicited money during services.
Well, we can't have that. People's ability to properly enjoy Mass and other
religious services might be diminished if they were forced to confront the
presence of poor, hungry, and homeless human beings beforehand. Some
bleeding hearts might suggest inviting these people to services, but
obviously they won't be properly dressed - and they probably smell funny,
too - which would only make it harder to concentrate on the preaching and
singing.
I think somewhere Jesus is cited as having said something along the lines of
"whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me," but that's probably
just a metaphor which is commonly misunderstood. It certainly doesn't have
anything to do with this situation.
The above article was written by a reporter named "Rich Lord." He didn't
have anything to do with the amendment and I have no idea what his position
on the issue is, but you know...it's just a bit ironic. I had to point that
out. No offense is intended to Rich Lord himself.</snip>
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