It's a growing trend. Can't have private individuals or NGO's doing the job governments think is theirs or outside their rules.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-illegal_to_feed_the_homeless_in_america.html
So, they're being treated like wild animals now or what?
So, they're being treated like wild animals now or what?
My church sends out a van every Monday to feed homeless in Indy. There are many other outreach groups that do the same. Believe it or not, there is a lot of compassion in Indianapolis. I will be out tomorrow passing out meals. Please think about us as it will be very cold.
Living under bridges and in camps during the winter is anything but fun. One has to wonder why they choose to stay out in the cold rather than go to a shelter. The answer is something we should all appreciate. They do not want to loose the one of the last things they have, their freedom. I consider it to be a great privilege to be able to help those people, get to know them, to earn their trust and be their friend, and to share our faith.
It's more like enablement than compassion. 2 Thes 3:10
This is one of those times when my own position pulls in elements of both of your positions. I believe in helping others, but doing so in a way that serves to launch them toward independence rather than fostering dependence. I believe that much good can be done, but it has to be done with the understanding that some will respond in a positive manner and others are happy where they are, or at least acclimated to it sufficiently that they won't leave it. When you make it possible for people to lie flat on the bottom with no incentive to better themselves, you move from helping to enabling destructive choices.
I have been called an enabler many times, however, I do not feel that I am enabling or encouraging anyone to be lazy or worthless. There are people out there who truly down and without hope. It does no good to try to force them off the streets. Each one, in their own time and way, have to decide when they are ready to pick themselves back up. For many, the hardest thing to do is forgive themselves for the bad things they have done that caused them to get into this position. What I try to do is help them find that forgiveness and show them that they are loved and will have support every step of the way if they do decide to seek help. There are wonderful institutions dedicated to helping individuals get off the streets and I commend them for their efforts. The fact is that these institutions cannot reach everyone and some only respond to groups like ours.
There are some who, no matter what, will never make it off the streets. Sometimes they have records, or addictions. Sometimes they are crippled. Sometimes they have legal problems, like child support, and they have no hope of ever having anything. Often, they have tried the missions and other programs with no success and society has no more options for them. No matter what their situation is, they all deserve compassion. They cannot simply be expected to disappear.
I have helped many people get off the streets. Some of those people are productive and even helping others. I have also seen people perish. In the end, I can only hope that I have done my part.