How Do We Treat The Homeless?

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praise_Jesus said:
I also agree with what was mentioned. Most of these people have some sort of addiction and use the money to buy drugs or alcohol. I’ve been burned before. In fact a couple months ago I had to refuse a guy because in the past the same guy had told me the EXACT same story.

I have no problem donating to programs that support and feed our poor. But I don’t think measuring how much money one can panhandle is a measure of how compassionate our society is towards the poor. We actually have ad campaigns in our city urging citizens not to give money to panhandlers but to donate to the numerous charities that offer food and clothing to these people.
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I think this attitude is somewhat the problem. We want to give money for “other people” to help them. Many of these programs help tremendously, but they are understaffed. And many of these programs do nothing but perpetuate a cycle of dependency and homelessness. But it makes people feel better, You can say you “helped” and you “care” while not actually having to deal with the problem.

How many of us actually stopped to talk to these people? I know some people do, and those are the people IMO that Christ’s love is shining through. The whole “Their only going to buy drugs” attitude is prejudging, until you have taken some time to get to know these people. And yes, some of them will buy drugs or alcohol. This actually doesn’t bother me. Addiction is a sickness, one we as a society do not have the facilities to care for. But I don’t think these folks should be left to suffer alone just because they are ill.

You can always offer food, or gift cards to fast food restaurants. Or a blanket, or backpack, or tent. Take a moment to ask what they feel they need. I rarely carry cash, so I will usually stop and ask if I can buy them something, then I can use my debit card.

If I want to give money to the guy holding a sign, that is my right. If I want to feed the homeless in the park, that should be my right. But it isn’t, at least not everywhere. I, along with three other lay folks and two elderly nuns were arrested back in 2003 for handing out bagged lunches to the homeless in a park. Why? Because people don’t want to see it. I was fined $250.00 for aiding the homeless. That is a shame.

Matthew 8:20 (New International Version)

Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Jesus was a homeless man. How can you worship a homeless man on Sunday, and ignore him the rest of the week? I’m sure many upstanding Jewish people felt that Jesus was just a bum. After all he didn’t seem to work, didn’t maintain a home and family, and hung out with the less desirables in his society. Me, I want to be like Jesus. 😃
 
I dont think its wrong to give money to a pan handeler and I used to do it whenever I came across one but I do think that it is better to give money to charities who help the homeless. One thing my DH and I are involved in is a halfway house for recovering alcoholics who otherwise would be homeless. Many of them will say they had other options and choices and still chose homelessness. I find it hard to fathom myself…
Just last night was talking to a friend whose brother wont stay at a job and is an addict. she offered him her couch with the only rule being that he clean up after himself. he chose to stay homeless:eek: Its not that I dont have compassion for these people its that I want to give a hand up not a hand out.
 
I think it is quite hard for most of us to understand why these people choose homelessness. I’m not sure I understand. But I would rather err on the side of compassion. Many of them have untreated mental illness. There just aren’t enough resources anymore to help them. And many of them will refuse help, a side effect of their illness. And since laws have changed and they can no longer be forced into treatment, you get a large homeless population.

A hand up is a great thing. And the fact that you and your dh volunteer is possibly the best help you can give. Honestly, money is important to keeping these programs going, but actually being there a few hours a week is an enormous help. Even if you don’t have a penny to donate (some of us don’t), giving up your free time to work to help is an incredibly loving and Christ like thing to do.

Dh has a cousin like this. The man chooses to be homeless. We have offered to let him stay, but he doesn’t like our rules. However, he is still welcome to come to dinner, and leftovers are always sent. Prayers are always offered.
 
There are myriad reasons that people are homeless: addiction (spiritual illness), mental illness, luck of the draw, abusive homes (especially with teen homeless). In any event, the homeless should be helped and should not be looked down upon. But, how should we help them?

Well you are the only one who can answer that for yourself. Maybe you choose to volunteer at a shelter or something; someone else may not like close contact with the homeless because of a bad experience. Maybe you choose to give money to pan handlers; another may see this as feeding the addictions of those who are addicted. Maybe you choose to give non-monetary items to the homeless; another may reason that they will sell these things so you may as well give them money. Maybe you choose to give money to organizations that help the homeless; another may not have this money to give. etc.

I think that two things are important though.
  1. Determine your comfort level with the homeless and what you are willing to do to help them – then do that.
  2. Do not be judgmental of the homeless. You do not know what any, given, person is homeless unless you take the time to ask and listen to their answer.
 
We do spend time with many of these people too. I dont think you are wrong Mommamia by any means. How can I argue with someone who is in the trenches and doing the work!
Its like good cop bad cop. We need people to show Gods,s love and compassion and people to help motivate and direct the willing to get a grip on thier lives, and help them not be victums.😉 In all honesty I get disheartened sometimes trying to help people who arent willing. Both my DH and I will and have sacraficed and bent over backwards trying to help people…often to no apparent avail. Sometimes it is disheartening. Once and a while you see people really get past thier problems and its worth it…but still a lot of work.
 
Drawmack said:
I agree with much of what is posted here. For example, I never give money to homeless people but I will give them food, clothes, etc. If I give them money I do not know what they will spend it on. That being said, I would still like to read the book.
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I think we all should all open our homes if we see a homeless person. Those of us fortunate to have so much should not stop at food, clothes. It’s an embarrassment that we do so little just to make ourselves feel better.
 
HopeSE said:
I think we all should all open our homes if we see a homeless person. Those of us fortunate to have so much should not stop at food, clothes. It’s an embarrassment that we do so little just to make ourselves feel better.
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I’m sorry, but I don’t let anyone I don’t know into my home.
 
Drawmack said:
Martin Luther, in his Large Catechism, taught that there were – indeed – sacraments. He went to far as to say that without the Sacraments there was no Christian. He different from Catholic teaching on the number of sacraments not their existence or their nature.
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Martin Luther rejected the Catholic teaching that the sacraments are outward signs which cause grace, but claimed them to be “signs and testimonies of God’s good will towards us”. He taught that sacraments indirectly cause justification through faith. Therefore he taught heresy, not simply rejecting the number of sacraments, but the very nature of the sacraments themselves.
 
Hope have you had homless people stay with you?
Were they people you knew?
 
It would be hard to judge how people treat the homeless based on the two young men’s experience. I travel to downtown Philadelphia a lot and the first time I went I gave a man some money (I am from the country). He followed me into a restaurant (Subway) and told me that he needed more money because the hospital had thrown him out. I did not give him more money and he was rather belligerent. I no longer give homeless money. I will donate to shelters. I would hesitate to let someone I do not know into my home. It could be dangerous. Many people become homeless due to drug, alcohol or mental illness. They need help but we also have to be aware that they could be dangerous. I like the idea of giving coupons for restaurants. Then you can give a meal.
 
Luther , as well as most protestants. never really look closely at Matthew 25:31-46.Jesus is very specific about where the goats on His left will be sent. Included in His final judgement is the very fate of everyone who fails to see the face of Jesus in the least of all His suffering brethren. For in doing so everyone of us leave Jesus unattended. This biblical passage, that is all about sins of omission, powerfully refutes justification/salvation by Sola Fide, faith alone.

On the Question of the homeless I sincerely believe that God allows this to keep us out of hell. For our response to the homeless we need only to turn to these very pivotal verses in Matthew, our “final report card.”
 
mapleoak said:
Martin Luther rejected the Catholic teaching that the sacraments are outward signs which cause grace, but claimed them to be “signs and testimonies of God’s good will towards us”. He taught that sacraments indirectly cause justification through faith. Therefore he taught heresy, not simply rejecting the number of sacraments, but the very nature of the sacraments themselves.
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I think you are confusing Luther and Calvin. Luther’s heresy was in saying there are only two sacraments.
 
alaindelong said:
Luther , as well as most protestants. never really look closely at Matthew 25:31-46.Jesus is very specific about where the goats on His left will be sent. Included in His final judgement is the very fate of everyone who fails to see the face of Jesus in the least of all His suffering brethren. For in doing so everyone of us leave Jesus unattended. This biblical passage, that is all about sins of omission, powerfully refutes justification/salvation by Sola Fide, faith alone.
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This is off topic, but no Protestant that I know actually believes in Sola Fide – it’s a bit of a misnomer. They just don’t believe that acts of mercy have salvific qualities because they do not believe they need salvific qualities. Ask them if they need to be baptized. Ask them if they need to say a prayer of dedication. Ask them, for crying out loud, if they need to make a decision to believe.
 
I volunteer at St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen in Newark, NJ once each month. I got “roped into it” by a friend who called me up and said that they would be short-handed this week, and ‘Would I come and help out?’

I could not think of an excuse to say ‘No.’, so I went along with her request. I felt kind of awkward, surrounded by so many homeless and poor people…but, in short order I started to realize what Jesus teaches us “That which you do to the least of My brethren, you do unto Me.”

I came away from the soup kitchen that day – a changed person. I had fed Jesus!

Actually, no matter how tired or weary I am, I look forward to doing my monthly soup kitchen duty. It’s turned from being a ‘duty’…to being a privilege!

'nuf said!

John
 
Let’s not forget many of the homeless are there because the compassionate social activists succeeded in closig down so many mental health facilities where they once lived. Another example of well meaning folks applying moral pribciples without the knowledge or information necessary to do it.
 
One of the things I forgot to mention I think was a suggestion one of them had. Instead of giving cash, buy some gift certificates from restaurants/stores that can only be used as credit vs. cash back.
 
Although the Martin Luther posts here are off topic, I will say one last thing. Martin Luther believed many different things throughout his lifetime, changing like the winds. It’s hard to say that he believed something…because he may have at one time, but maybe not always. For instance, at first he did not reject the notion of indulgences themselves, but rather the ‘selling of indulgences’ as he understood it. Then later on he totally rejected the whole notion. The Church does not do that, nor ever has, when it comes to essentials.

'nuff said. From now on I am only responding to the homeless issue. Thank you.
 
petitfleur said:
Hope have you had homless people stay with you?
Were they people you knew?
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I’ve never lived in an area with homeless people other than when I was in grad school in Buffalo. We used to let anyone stay with us that wanted to. It was sort of a revolving door policy that existed before I moved in.

I don’t know how or why it started, but people sort of used it like a shelter. I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to do it myself. My roomates were all sort of hippies though, and the nicest people I ever knew. It was a unique experience and one that I treasure. We never really had any trouble with anyone that stayed there other than a couple times when someone stole some stuff (they probably needed it more than we did though, right???). I guess that’s going to happen from time to time.

It wasn’t like there were hundreds of people though, it was a few semi-regulars and sometimes just some people they would meet and bring back. I never actively brought anyone back, but I’m pretty shy generally so it wasn’t really my style.

I can’t imagine if someone asked I wouldn’t let them though. Why wouldn’t I? I have so much, and capitalism is destroying everything the good in people every day. They covet their homes, their cars, etc…more than they do other people.

I know people will say it’s because of safety, but is the world any more safe by shunning these people and throwing them a dollar and a gift certificate? It’s just another way of passing the buck.

Who knows though, if I had a big house, and an SUV maybe I wouldn’t be so quick to invite someone in. I’m not Catholic though either, not sure what that means, but just saying it’s not that religion has anything to do with it.
 
HopeSE said:
I’ve never lived in an area with homeless people other than when I was in grad school in Buffalo. We used to let anyone stay with us that wanted to. It was sort of a revolving door policy that existed before I moved in.

I don’t know how or why it started, but people sort of used it like a shelter. I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to do it myself. My roomates were all sort of hippies though, and the nicest people I ever knew. It was a unique experience and one that I treasure. We never really had any trouble with anyone that stayed there other than a couple times when someone stole some stuff (they probably needed it more than we did though, right???). I guess that’s going to happen from time to time.

It wasn’t like there were hundreds of people though, it was a few semi-regulars and sometimes just some people they would meet and bring back. I never actively brought anyone back, but I’m pretty shy generally so it wasn’t really my style.

I can’t imagine if someone asked I wouldn’t let them though. Why wouldn’t I? I have so much, and capitalism is destroying everything the good in people every day. They covet their homes, their cars, etc…more than they do other people.

I know people will say it’s because of safety, but is the world any more safe by shunning these people and throwing them a dollar and a gift certificate? It’s just another way of passing the buck.

Who knows though, if I had a big house, and an SUV maybe I wouldn’t be so quick to invite someone in. I’m not Catholic though either, not sure what that means, but just saying it’s not that religion has anything to do with it.
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HopeSE said:
I’ve never lived in an area with homeless people other than when I was in grad school in Buffalo. We used to let anyone stay with us that wanted to. It was sort of a revolving door policy that existed before I moved in.
I am sure if you looked hard enough you could find homeless people to bring in.
I don’t know how or why it started, but people sort of used it like a shelter. I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to do it myself. My roomates were all sort of hippies though, and the nicest people I ever knew. It was a unique experience and one that I treasure. We never really had any trouble with anyone that stayed there other than a couple times when someone stole some stuff (they probably needed it more than we did though, right???). I guess that’s going to happen from time to time.

It wasn’t like there were hundreds of people though, it was a few semi-regulars and sometimes just some people they would meet and bring back. I never actively brought anyone back, but I’m pretty shy generally so it wasn’t really my style.

I can’t imagine if someone asked I wouldn’t let them though. Why wouldn’t I? I have so much, and capitalism is destroying everything the good in people every day. They covet their homes, their cars, etc…more than they do other people.

I know people will say it’s because of safety, but is the world any more safe by shunning these people and throwing them a dollar and a gift certificate? It’s just another way of passing the buck.
You really think safety is not a valid reason to not open your doors to homeless people!?! Throwing them a dollar or a gift certificate is not enough??? Your excuse for not inviting homeless people to stay with you in college is becuase you are too shy…I am horribly shy myself but take great pains not to let it stop me from being helpfu to someone (that would be selfish;))Not good arguments for someone with such strong convictions.
Who knows though, if I had a big house, and an SUV maybe I wouldn’t be so quick to invite someone in. I’m not Catholic though either, not sure what that means, but just saying it’s not that religion has anything to do with it.

Why does your profile say you are Catholic if you arent?
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