(September 7, 2014 at 1:00 am)Mothonis_Cathicgal Wrote: I was denied entry into the only mens shelter in Casa grande Arizona because they demand that I attend church services and bible studies, now iam without a place to stay.

Asswholes.

Who give a damn about those people! What's more important is what are you gonna do! Do you have another place to go? I mean I can't help you since I don't live anywhere near you. But what are you planning to do? Do you have a job? Or any kind of income?
You can worry about those douchebags later. With a camera and a youtube account with a video showing them denying access to people because of religious discrimination will be payback however that's not important. Right know what's important is your safety.

This really sucks and I'm very sorry to hear that How dare they hold their help hostage and try to blackmail you into buying their bullshit? They should be ashamed. I hope you can find somewhere else to stay soon.

What? This is ridiculous. Hold their help hostage? Blackmail? Why do you think they are obligated to help someone? I'm really sorry you're going through a hard time OP, and I really hope you get back on your feet soon. I have been there. Homeless and hiding while pregnant with 2 small kids. Perhaps had I been alone I would have had room for your level of indignance, but I had to think of my kids. So I stayed with my aunt and uncle. In exchange for their silence about my presence I went to church, I went to bible study, I cleaned their house every day, I cooked them dinner, and I humbly did everything they asked of me until I could find a better option.
Most Christians aren't terrible people. They believe they have something special to show you that will change your life for the better. They are wrong, but they genuinely want to share with you. In exchange for hearing them out they're offering you a safe place to stay and probably food. If you refuse that offer that is your choice, but you have no right to say you're homeless because you're atheist. It sounds more like homeless because you're too proud to take the help that is offered to you.

To OP : you can't fix stupid .

An atheist living happily and spreading his ideas is better than a homeless atheist who gained nothing by fighting a no-win-fight against some dumb fucks.

You are the kinda man that stands to his ideas and principles and men like you are very rare, but sometimes its good to take life more as a game and try to win .

It still feels closer to preying on the vulnerable than altuism to me. Though I will admit there are worse situations to be in.

(September 8, 2014 at 10:17 am)Chad32 Wrote: It still feels closer to preying on the vulnerable than altuism to me. Though I will admit there are worse situations to be in.

That's because that's literally what it is. There's no obligation that these people help anyone, but if they opt to help and then make that help conditional on coercing submission to certain rituals- in a general, charitable organization that is, to contrast with Losty's example of living with relatives- then evidently their willingness to help is secondary to their desire to force people into acting as though they are converted.

Now, I think Losty has a very valid point when she said that, to any given christian this is an attempt to share something important rather than an attempt to gain control, but I'm more willing to call bullshit on that with regards to the OP's situation because if these people really believed the message they are intent on sharing they might have paid more attention to the bits about helping people and rendering aid. You know, the kind of stuff Jesus was into. Hell, even under the premise that they're actually just trying to convert, what's more likely to make that happen: an organization that showed off the best of the religion by offering help when it's needed as pure charity, or one that puts that help out of reach until you're properly deferent?

That's why I'm more willing to take this as a cynical grab for control than a genuine move to help people.

That said... seriously, Mothonis, a roof over your head is more important than a principled stand against an obvious and amateurish conversion attempt. Pragmatism should be the order of the day, for now. Get yourself situated, get out when you can.

Hi homeless

I'm naimless

Quote:Hell, even under the premise that they're actually just trying to convert, what's more likely to make that happen: an organization that showed off the best of the religion by offering help when it's needed as pure charity, or one that puts that help out of reach until you're properly deferent?

That's what I'm thinking. If the history of christianity was one of self sacrifice and tending to the weak, that would make it more likely for people to convert. However the history of christianity is written in the blood of those who did not convert. That paints a more cynical picture of them, and colors any attempt at charity with a dark brush.

Nowhere in the story of the good Samaritan do I find the benefactor requiring anything of the stranger he is aiding. All I see in that story is care and compassion.

I think the church would see more converts with statements like... "Go and sin no more" rather than its usual... "You're a sinner... REPENT!" Likewise, "Today you will be with me in paradise" is today said as... "You're a thief, you'd better get it right if you want god's love" Also, the Samaritan went out of his way, and bore great personal and financial expense to aid a stranger, all without judging him in any way, nor requiring anything of him. It was the religious people who refused to even care, let alone help. It's like believers don't read the text - or fail to comprehend its implications.

Note how Mary responded when she wasn't judged by Jesus - she became his most devout follower. See the thief on the cross, receiving grace amid his life of crime, cleansed. See the wounded traveler... RESTORED! All without having to perform one single act other than to receive.

IF this church's primary goal is gaining converts, then they should stop counting the cost, and requiring repayment in the form of performance.

I just want to clarify that I wasn't trying to say what they're doing isn't wrong. I am just saying if someone offers you help packed together with church and bible studies and you need the help.....then take it.