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Friday, January 13, 2006

"Mean Cities" Discourage Homelessness

Homeless advocates name mean cities at CNN.com:

Mean cities? That's a bit of an overstatement. The buildings, sidewalks, people who walk on the sidewalks, and roads are generally not mean. What this headline actually says is, "Homelessness is a disease of social injustice and it's everyone else's responsibility to care for victims of this disease. If you don't, you're heartless and meanspirited."

You think I'm kidding until you check out the website of The National Coalition for the Homeless and read statements like this, "It is a societal responsibility to provide safe housing... for all people, including people experiencing homelessness, who are unable to secure such housing through their own means." Um, excuse me? Why would that be? Because "Every member of society has a right [not to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness but] to basic economic and social entitlements of which safe, decent, accessible, affordable, and permanent housing is a definitive component" Oh, come on--you've got to be kidding me--they can't actually believe that, can they?

But, nevertheless, the everyone-should-be-homeless-so that-we-can-benefit-from-government-generosity-and-control-over-our-life group(aka socialistic communists) says that 20 cities are especially bad in taking care of the 'downtrodden' because they pass ordinances to encourage people to get jobs instead of camping out on the street and panhandling. And, did you notice how they didn't highlight the 'friendliest' cities to homeless people...hmm..I wonder why?

I have several reactions to homeless people; some of which I'm not so proud. My first, most shameful response is, "Who cares as long as it's not me." But, as soon as I recognize the selfishness inherent in this statement I quickly ask God's forgiveness.

My second response is compassion: "We should give these people homes; aren't we the richest nation in the world? Compassionate people should work to help those less fortunate." I question this response as it quickly leads to socialism, incentives for being homeless, and treats individuals like victims instead of accomplices.

Lastly, I try to consider what the Bible says in Matthew 25:35-40:
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink....I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry.... "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'
At the judgement seat of Christ, Christians will be rewarded by their faithfulness in serving; for in serving others, we serve Christ (not saved, rewarded). But before we view this as a license for socialism, we must also balance this with what Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15,
"For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: we were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone's bread free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. It is not that we don't have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat."
Christians have a responsibility to love and care for those in times of crisis by providing for their immediate need of food, shelter, clothing, or even education--similar to what millions of Christians did in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But, if an individual consistently demonstrates their unwillingess to change their lifestyle and if they continue to enjoy their status as victims instead of taking responsiblity for their lot in life, then they are choosing to continue the lifestyle of homelessness--if they don't work, they don't eat.

Related Tags:

Thoughtful Readers Speak:
Is this a joke? You're homeless and you have the internet?

If this isn't a joke...WTF is wrong with you?
 
Seriously, JR, get real. Who's going to hire the homeless? Would you hire a smelly bum when you can take your pick of clean, reliable people with homes?
 
erica: rotfl!

chet: they could get the jobs that the illegal mexicans are taking here in SOCAL, but i never see any of them at the gathering places. (unless some of the illegals there r homeless.)

jr: bravo, my friend! another excellent post, and the best written opinion piece i've seen on the subject...and w/ Biblical references, too.
 
Who would you rather hire, rel? An illegal mexican who you know is going to put in 10 hours of work a day for cheap and has his own tools and workclothes, or a smelly bum?

I mean, let's get real. The reason that the homeless don't have jobs is because being homeless is enough reason for any employer to pass over you for the job.
 
It would be so refreshing if we could keep the vulgarity out of the posts. Chet, would you speak to Erica about that? Thank you.

We'll drop the vulgarity when your side drops the condescension. Anyway, if you think you've read any vulgarity from either of us you're just being hyper-sensitive.
 
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