What religion SHOULD be about
Back in the early 90s, my husband's IT job was offshored. It was over a year and we had gone through all our savings. We were one unemployment check away from being thrown out in the street. Our two children were very young. I had already put them on state childhood health benefits, and had gone to Planned Parenthood to get my BC Pills. The last thing we wanted, or needed, was MORE mouths to feed. Hear that, Catholic Church?
A local Food Pantry, Non-Catholic, advertised that they would give food to the poor, no questions, no preaching. I went to them. They were very true to their word. They did not ask me what my religion was, or try to convert, or preach to me. All they wanted to know was were we unemployed? Did we have young children who needed to be fed? They gave us a basket full of food, including at the time, a complete Thanksgiving Dinner. I cannot tell you how grateful I was that we would be able to have a turkey dinner that year for my children.
When my husband did get another job, the first thing we did with his first paycheck was to donate to that Food Pantry. I gave to them for as long as I lived in that town. They helped me in my time of need, no questions asked, so I wanted to give back to THEM when I could afford it. I did not care WHAT their religious belliefts were. They certainly didn't ask me to comform to their religious beliefs. If I could help then, and others, then I WANTED to do so. You treat others how you want to be treated yourself.
This is how religious organization SHOULD BE. Forget the contraception and gay marriage objections. You LOSE your credibility with those issues. Adminster to the poor, the sick, and the elderly, and maybe more people will be willing to give back to YOU.
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