Christian Shelter Forces Homeless Women to Give 10% to Megachurch
A Christian women’s shelter in Alabama is forcing homeless residents to attend the largest megachurch in the state and, when they get a job, give that church 10 percent of their income.
This is exactly the opposite of how things should work. Churches and homeless shelters should be helping people, and not forcing them to give up what little money they do have, but that’s exactly what Jessie’s Place in downtown Birmingham is doing.
It’s one thing to require church attendance – it’s a Christian shelter so that isn’t a big surprise. But it’s quite another to tell a woman like Dana Johnson, who has been living at Jessie’s Place for about a month and wanted to attend her own church just a few blocks away, that she must attend a branch of Church of the Highlands.
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, where Johnson wanted to attend, is walking distance from the shelter. But instead of letting her go there, shelter leaders said she is required to go to their megachurch, according to AL.com.
For three consecutive Sundays, she and other residents boarded a van and attended worship services at the Woodlawn branch of the Church of the Highlands, Alabama’s largest church.
Jessie’s Place has responded to the allegations, saying the policy keeps women from lying about going to church. They also denied that the women are required to give money to that specific church, but Johnson called them out on that claim. She also pointed out that 10 percent of your income is a lot when you’re homeless.
When she got a job, Johnson, 47, said she was also told she was required to tithe, or donate 10 percent of her income. She was told to go to a bank, get a money order and make it payable to the Church of the Highlands, she said.
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“Someone living in a shelter is not tithing big money,” Johnson said. But it is a significant amount to a homeless person, she said.
Johnson added that other Christian shelters have required her to attend that same megachurch, but they didn’t force homeless women to tithe. They also didn’t bus her far away from the shelter to go to a specific church despite the existence of more convenient and preferred ones.
This isn’t a legal issue — it’s a Christian group and they can make homeless women attend whichever church they see fit. But it certainly is an ethical issue, and I think it’s clear that what this shelter and megachurch are doing is morally wrong. It certainly doesn’t sounds like what Jesus would do.
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The longer it takes you to save enough money to get back on your feet, the longer they can extort you. It’s a pretty simple business model for a tax free business venture. No ethics required.
Is someone forcing the woman to live there??
Why don't you support her?
She can go to any church she wants to. It's not unusual for Christian run private shelter require that the resident attend services.
Here in Denver there is a shelter called Step 13 for drunks and druggies that requires that the residents stay sober and work. They help them find jobs. The success rate of staying sober is high.
I resent having the the ugly elongated puffy face of some dude on the right margin as I type this. The Botox "face" is just as bad. Please clean up the ads Perrie
Extortion?
Did the church take the woman against her wishes and put her in a shelter that they fund?
And then FORCE her to pay?
Get real, man.
I have no problem with them charging 10% as rent since it's so cheap. If you make 500 bucks you pay fifty bucks rent or if you only make forty bucks you only pay four bucks rent. Anyone who thinks that is unreasonable must live rent free in their parents basement. I don't really like them forcing them to attend their church, that seems predatory to go after people at their most vulnerable. It's like having a Soup Kitchen but everyone must sit through Mass before they can eat. 10% for rent is fair as long as they don't get evicted if they have no money. If you got it give a little, if not that's OK.
Churches have been subsidized with taxpayer money ever since W. Bush's faith base initiative to the tune of billions of dollars a year. This has continue under Obama and is probably continuing under Trump.
Our government has give public assistance money to churches and forced people to turn to churches for assistance.
Of course, the churches are a tax free business venture and the taxpayers are subsidizing at a growing rate.
Also in addition to the Faith Based Initiative....
Unreal
Kavika, this is like conservatives wanting people who make 10,000 a year to pay income taxes.
People who need charity cannot afford to give 10 percent of their income to a religious group.
If they choose to, that would be one thing. making them do it or throwing them out if they dont is another thing entirely.
Exactly.
Is someone forcing the woman to accept the church's charity?
Absolutely not true...try to come up with some proof or sources.
LOl.
Asking poor people who receive government benefits to pay income taxes is LITERALLY wanting to make poor people poorer.
Is that what your religion teaches you? To literally make poor people poorer?
Yep I know a guy with six kids that only works part-time because he doesn't want to pay for his kids healthcare and lose his Obamacare subsidies. He used to be an accountant.
So she was able to live their rent free and have a roof over her head and food in her belly while she was not working and had no money is fine. Why is asking her to help pay for little to live there when she has some funds coming in so outrageous? Ten percent is not anywhere near what she will spend on housing in the economy.
The reason many people are homeless is because if they make minimum wage and have no dependents to help them qualify for assistance they can't afford a place of their own. Where I live a one bedroom apartment costs about a grand then you still need to pay electric, gas or oil, and food. And that's just the minimum to have a roof over your head, you still need a car to work and food shop because we have very little public transportation around here it only provides spotty time coverage of one route it can't be relied on accept by retired folks who can arrange their errands around the bus.
And, that is the reason why she should thank the church for food and shelter who are only asking for 10% of her salary.
I know that even 10% is tough when one is making so little. But, none of us get a free ride, usually. I am thinking that she should be proud to pay something toward her shelter rather than be a taker. It becomes a way of life for some, you know.
I belong to a local service group. Every month we have speakers from groups in the community. This month's speaker was from a group like this one - churches that take in homeless families, help them with job searches, child care, finding affordable housing, furnishing their apartments, etc. The disparity between what minimum wage will pay and what basic expenses can be is huge. Add in things like child care, and the odd medical expense, and it can be hard to get on your feet, or stay there. We also have no public transportation here - a car is a necessity for most. We have little in the way of child care, and no local child care facilities accept government vouchers, so wages have to cover basic living expenses AND child care, if necessary.
Instead of bitching about a (gasp!) CHURCH helping someone, why don't you complainers support those homeless women?
Something stopping you?
I don't remember Jesus asking the poor to tithe.
And????
Instead of complaining about a church, why don't you support the woman?
Do you remember Jesus telling the poor that no tithes were necessary?
He wasn't providing them with room and board
So he asked them to give back 10% of the loaves and fishes? The wine he made from water?
The liaves and fishes were gifts as was the water turned to wine. He had no overhead to pay. There eas no building maintenance nor heating fuel or elevtrical costs.
So, sheltering this woman isn't a gift?
Fine example of Christian charity.
they gave her foid and shelter for at least a month when she could not pay. Asking for ten percent of her pay to remain there is also a gift and a teaching momnent. Where else is she going to stay for so little? She is also getting a lesson on responsibility.
I know, I know! I am expecting alot from the left for them to know or care about personal responsibility.
Did you all forget the part about JESUS?
The ignorance from the usual right wingers here is stunning.
How so.
Apparently, he considers all things he doesn't understand as evidence of OTHER'S "ignorance".
The same people who want the government out of the business of charity, claiming private charity will pick up the slack, are all gung-ho about attaching unbelievably retarded conditions to receiving any help. Basically, you believe forcing religion down the throats of atheists is intelligent and reasonable.
Atheists are completely free to avail themselves of the charity provided by other atheists if that is their wish.
, "you believe forcing religion down the throats of atheists is intelligent and reasonable."
So tell me, how many atheist groups are providing homelss shelters or food to the poor? How much have you donated to a shelter? No I am not talking about government programs paid for with tax money. I want to know about private atheist groups and programs.
It's the word "tithe". Most every church uses that as a means to offset expenses incurred during the year. A church member is not compelled to tithe, however.
The lady in question, however, is biting the hand that feeds her. Most likely, she was told upfront that once she secured a paying job that she would be required to "tithe" 10% of her income. That's not asking very much considering the expenses of keeping their doors open, food and a safe place to put her head down at night. Their doors are open because of charitable donations. She makes $100 a week and pays them $10.00.....pretty cheap. Where else could she find this type of deal?
In my church we can take in homeless and do, but not for weeks. The members in the church pay for this. How we offset the costs, also, is that some members offer to supply the dinners that are served.
Perhaps, from reading the story, I didn't get all the facts, but that's how I see it. IMO, rather than complaining she should be thankful.
Gosh darn it, when will these despicable churches stop providing charity to people who need it?
And taking away from those who have little?
What did the church "take"??
If the woman is unhappy, maybe she should seek charity elsewhere, like from the local atheist organization.
I presume you read the article.
Should one who can't afford a roof over her own head be expected to support a megachurch?
I'd love to see a pic of the pastor's house.
And if the secular services available are overburdened?
This seems fairly predatory of the church - give us part of your salary, or sleep in a cardboard box.
So people who work aren't expected to pay a dime for their own shelter and food? Why?????
The church, by asking for a meager 10% of earnings, will be able to help even more people in this way.
No one is forcing people to go to the church for help--they did so freely. They are just as free to leave if they don't like what the church does. No one is stopping them.
Do you think it costs the church nothing for utilities and food and shelter for these folks? Seriously?
Wouldn't you just LOVE to be able to spend only 10% of your earnings on food and shelter and utilities?
Churches who provide these sorts of services receive donations from other sources. This is a megachurch, after all. They're not hurting for money.
It seems to me more charitable for them to help her get back on her feet to the point of being able to rent her own place - a goal delayed when she pays part of her salary to an already-rich church, instead of saving it to go toward security deposits, furniture, etc. They are keeping her dependent on them for longer.
Quote where I said as much.
Some people need to be taught responsibility. Paying your OWN way is a big part of that. Why on earth would anyone oppose paying at least PART of their own personal expenses when they are working?
But, if unhappy, the woman is completely free to leave and avail herself of help elsewhere. No one is stopping her--it is her CHOICE.
And if you are unhappy with the church, don't support it. Send the woman some money!
I didn't say you said it--which is WHY I asked a QUESTION.
Funny how people receiving charity want to bitch about the ones providing it.
Yes. Have for years.
You have no idea why this woman is in reduced circumstances. She may well have been paying her own way until some crisis left her unable to do so.
All people who are able to work should pay at LEAST part of their very own upkeep. It is called being an adult.
The tithe was a requirement of the Law of Moses for the support of the Levitical priests who were not allowed to own land or businesses.
Many Christians and especially poorly taught pastors misapply this requirement to apply to Christians. But we are not under the Law of Moses. We are under the Law of Christ which is the Law of Grace.
Paul explains how giving operates under the New Covenant in his second letter to the church at Corinth. It is a giving solely from the heart and thus no amounts or percentages are specified. Nor is it compulsory
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Rev Larry Robinson
Grace in Christ Ministries