Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

pk10534 t1_j8ktq0o wrote

I know many on the left are uncomfortable with religion, and that’s valid, but I wish we took more advantage of how churches operate in many communities. Not only do they serve as a gathering place and social center for many people, they often do a lot of charity work and provide useful resources and connections for people. Many times they hold after school programs, soup kitchens, and do other volunteer work and can be cornerstones in their neighborhoods. I’m not advocating tax dollars go to churches or saying all churches are good, but frankly I think we need to use every tool in our box to start helping people out and helping underinvested neighborhoods recover

18

why_grapefruit_why t1_j8lf9ic wrote

I agree with the general sentiment here— with some caveats.

I support tax breaks for churches if they provide a demonstrable positive impact in the community.

The issue is that is some churches/congregations do not do this.

Edit: I do not agree that churches should be a primary source of mental health care.

4

dopkick t1_j8lllc2 wrote

I read an interesting article that barbershops are effective outlets for disseminating health-related information and services among black communities. Many are skeptical of the healthcare system after many decades of abuse/racism/abhorrent things but barbershops can help reduce the barrier to trusting. Are barbershops ideal places for this? Absolutely not. But if it works… maybe it’s a bridge to a more ideal future. Same could be held for churches.

It’s pretty eye opening when you read the big subreddits. It’s pretty clear they’re full of vocal white people with strong opinions who have never talked to anything but the token black person in their life. They view everything through the lens of their somewhere in the middle class white suburban upbringing. And while their views are total valid for growing up in boring ass Ohio, the experience in many Baltimore neighborhoods is totally different.

3

S-Kunst t1_j8m8uqf wrote

Too many think the role of churches (and other religious organizations) are mostly about religious belief. In America, churches have always been much about providing services, for immigrants, social, cultural, and yes job opportunities. Many of Baltimore society churches are places where the upper crust meet and greet and get face time with potential employees. My first summer job (age 14) working in a country club kitchen, was through a church connection. Marriages have always been arranged in church communities.

With the decline of church attendance, there has been a great decline in community socialization. Church membership has always been a collective of people who are interlaced into the greater community. Look at the number of people posting, on this site wanting to know where to meet people. Seems that a bar is the most common answer. Not the place where people are being the most honest, with themselves or others.

3

danhalka t1_j8muude wrote

>the place where people are being the most honest, with themselves or others.

Nor is "church" an answer that springs to mind

3

S-Kunst t1_j95gawk wrote

Still I see no other non church publicly funded effort to support orphanages, hospitals, food banks immigration support centers, health clinics.

1