| I don't know enough about orphanages to comment.
I've always thought the Boys' Town approach made sense.
On AFDC I can speak from experience. It got me out of deep sneakers.
It was where I had to turn when I left my first husband who was a
violent and immoral man. It allowed me to house my daughter, and feed
her. It paid my living expenses while another goverment program put me
through school. I graduated in '79 and have been a tax payer ever
since.
I don't think shoving religion down someones throat is the way to go.
I'm sure, Richard, that's not what you meant, but it is too often the
case. I had a friend who was not able to feed himself. I mean he
earned a good living, but he could not put a spoon to his own mouth.
He was fed by a parade of volunteers. The worst, in his estimation,
were those who preached while they fed. He often felt he'd rather go
hungry.
During my welfare days I attended two different churches. In one, the
only people to talk to me were the priest as we filed out of the
church, and the teacher who had my daughter in her class. In the
second, I was always greeted by many people. I was too proud to call
anyone for a ride to church, but they knew I walked, and I always had
many offers for a ride home. Which one do you think showed the greater
charity?
As I said, I was able to cloth my child. I was still wearing cloths
from high school. They were still in one piece, so they didn't need
replacing. A woman bought me two nice, stylish yet simple and
practical, outfits, telling me that someone had done that for her, and
now she was passing it on. It felt great to wear nice cloths.
Sometimes you have to feed the spirit too. This woman was not a church
goer, so I guess it wasn't a Christian thing to do.
Well, I guess I should get off my soap box. It's just that that base
note struck me. I don't think you have to be Christian to do the
"Christian" thing.
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Yes, Debby, I can relate to being a captive audience to the unwelcome
preaching of some.
And thank you for sharing your experiences and observations.
Shalom,
Richard
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Debby, you showed us exactly how welfare is supposed to work. It helped
you, got you back on your feet, and are now out in the world working. If the
system could ALWAYS work like that, then the Newts of the world wouldn't have a
leg to stand on. But the system does need major reform, but I hope they keep in
place the ideals that helped bring you along to where you are today.
The story about the 2 churches was wonderful too. It's good to see how
much of a difference there can be from church to church, so that we can work to
keep our own church from falling backwards!
Glen
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