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To: xzins

I’m a Christian and support the free exercise of religion.

But what restraints if any are appropriate?

For example, I do share my faith. But with a bullhorn in a neighborhood at 3 am?

Similarly feeding folks - if I want to give someone a sandwich I say I should be allowed. But should I set up a thrice daily feeding operation for folks at a neighborhood park? I have been to some of these things. The crazy and high come out in droves. Is that right for the people in that neighborhood, the non-crazy and non-high that want to use the park, the kids of course? I don’t take my kids to homeless centers. People are very aggressive there.

So what reasonable restraints are there, if any?


4 posted on 11/12/2014 11:07:48 AM PST by Persevero (Come on 2016)
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To: Persevero

The discussion should not be about restraints when the amendment is about freedom.

The marketplace will take care of people with bullhorns at 3 in the morning. We don’t need government in the ‘religion police’ business.


6 posted on 11/12/2014 11:23:57 AM PST by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: Persevero

Sorry, I’m not convinced there are that many truly “hungry” people in this country. There are many however, who will take advantage of freebies. “If you build it, they will come.”


14 posted on 11/12/2014 12:30:13 PM PST by dfwgator (The "Fire Muschamp" tagline is back!)
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To: Persevero
Agreed. Well, my kids do go to homeless shelters, but they're teenagers, and they go periodically with older church members to feed the homeless.

The other thing is that the Bible does not actually endorse the church giving to anybody for anything. As George Grant, Marvin Olasky, and others have pointed out, Paul didn't order "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10b) in a vacuum. While Christians have an obligation to the helpless, generally symbolized by the widow and orphan (who had few options in ancient Israel) we also have an obligation to encourage the able-bodied to work.

Even in the Old Testament, many of the supports for the poor were not simple handouts; gleaning could keep you alive, but it was hard work. Biblical charity was also grounded in family and community; while there were supports for the isolated, the family was expected to step in first.

I drifted. Point is, the Bible does have guidelines and suggested structure to charitable activity, and doesn't support taking over a park to hand out food to any and all. While God's law supersedes local law, IMHO, that doesn't seem to apply here.

21 posted on 11/12/2014 5:11:19 PM PST by Amity
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