Atheist Volunteers Snubbed by Soup Kitchen

Question

Or when atheists demonstrate more Christian compassion than Christians themselves. This is appalling on too many levels to count.
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Atheist Volunteers Snubbed By Soup Kitchen Will Restore Your Faith In Everything That's Good

Posted: 10/30/2013 4:31 pm EDT | Updated: 10/31/2013 11:31 am EDT

A director of a South Carolina soup kitchen told a group of atheists that she would rather “resign” than have them volunteer at her organization.

Upstate Atheists, a Spartanburg, S.C., group that focuses on helping people in need, recently offered to help out at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, but their gesture was rebuffed by the Christian nonprofit, even though they had agreed to not wear their T-shirts or advertise where they were from, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported.

"This is a ministry to serve ***,” Lou Landrum, executive director of the soup kitchen, told the paper. "We stand on the principles of ***. Do they (atheists) think that our guests are so ignorant that they don't know what an atheist is? Why are they targeting us? They don't give any money. I wouldn't want their money."

While the group was upset about not being able to contribute to the organization, they weren’t deterred.

The volunteers decided to, instead, dole out 300 care packages on Saturday to the homeless –- right across the street from the nonprofit that rejected them. Through an online fundraiser, Upstate Atheists was able to collect $2,000 to buy socks, gloves, deodorant, toothpaste and antiseptic wipes and other items, according to the Christian Post.

This was just one of a number of community service projects the group has spearheaded on its own.

Upstate Atheists has sponsored holiday gifts for foster ********, adopted a highway and ******** with park clean ups, among other initiatives, according to the group.

The group is currently working on collecting money to obtain its 501c3 status to help with its fundraising efforts.

As the group’s story has spread, so has the overwhelming amount of support its getting from both religious and non-religious people.

“It’s so sad when a "Christian" group turns you away for your beliefs. We are all in this humanity thing together, whether you believe in *** or not,” one supporter wrote on the organization’s Facebook page. “I wouldn’t want to be ********** with a group like that anyway, so Kudos to your group for helping the less fortunate.”

While the group welcomes the encouragement, it’s also asking supporters to remain focused on the central mission.

"I was upset with the hateful remarks. It certainly wasn't necessary," Eve Brannon, president of Upstate Atheists, told the Christian Post. "However, it turned out well. Because we were turned away, we ***** up being able to give the homeless care packages that they needed. The people in need are the ones who truly matter."

Answer 1

It's funny when atheists are better Christians than the Christians. That was a snide remark. :) It's not about your religion, it's about your morals. And anyone can see from reading this article that you don't get good morals by being Christian, you get them be knowing right from wrong.

Answer 2

I've been 'involved (on the giving and receiving ***)' with several ministries just like this one. NONE of them queried me about my faith. Some would preach to be sure, but NONE actually went so far as to ask.

Answer 3

I remember a similar situation with John the Baptist and roman centurions.

Oh those poor romans.

Answer 4

Yet if roles were reversed then it would be a much bigger deal.

Answer 5

I wonder if they would have refused to serve any patron who was an atheist.

"Why are they targeting us?" Ridiculous...

Answer 6

Because atheist groups have targeted Christian groups before in such agitprop schemes.

Answer 7

In the same passive manner? They told them they would not do anything to give away their Atheist beliefs.

Answer 8

OTHER than being sure that the matron of the soup kitchen fully understood their beliefs/stance at the outset, of course. :-)

Consider: why would it have been important or even necessary to tell anyone about their beliefs? They could have shown up as a group, put on aprons and have gone straight to work. Why was their atheism any deal at all much less a big one? Could it be possible that they knew THIS particular kitchen was a Christian ministry, and that they were spoiling for a fight with those very same mean old Christians?

This whole affair reminds me of that *** couple who sought out a fundamentalist Christian florist, took great pains to inform said florist that they were ***. . .and then got (or more accurately pretended to get) all bent out of shape because the woman didn't want to supply flowers for their wedding.

Answer 9

The story you present is plausible. But an alternate is the matron simply asking what their faith is, and then refusing them after hearing their non-belief and who they were affiliated with.

However, there isn't enough detail in the story to say one way or another.

Answer 10

It's rare to be sure, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen.
I'm just saying the story lacks a lot of information, and leaves a lot up to interpretation. These are just two potential possibilities. For all we know both could be wrong.

Answer 11

No problem.

Answer 12

Correct on all counts. And good luck ever getting the 'true scoop' from American media.

Answer 13

It was known to.be Christian run. Were they trying to prove a point? I'm an atheist and wouldn't volunteer telling them I was atheist. That's asking for conflict. I would volunteer as a human being helping someone less fortunate. Are people supposed to be privileged or impressed because their stated atheists?! I'm not impressed the way they went about it at all! Then they collect money and give out things across the street? Was it supposed to prove they were going to help no matter what the Christians did? I'm being sarcastic here! Why across the street? Why go where you might have issues? They should open their own soup kitchen and hand things out. If they can do all that in one day to "help" out homeless on Christian turf imagine what they could do every day on their own location. It wasn't that "giving" oriented what they did. Shame on them for being self-serving in the name of 'generosity"!

Answer 14

I suppose that it is a similar situation to that in Christian schools and organisations where in order to be a teacher or other staff member, you also need to be a Christian. I am not sure what the rationale behind the director not permitting the atheist people offering help, was. What I do know is that a Christian could work side by side with a person of another faith and demonstrate acceptance and love of that person without compromising his or her beliefs. Christian beliefs need to be lived out in action, and do not necessarily have to be talked about. Actions often speak louder than words. There is a lovely story about St Francis who had a young monk staying with him. They were to visit a nearby town the next day so St Francis could preach. Off they went to the town and St Francis spoke to several people and they visited several places in the town, speaking with the people as they went. Then they went home. The young monk was confused and asked St Francis why he did not preach. St Francis said that he did and sometimes he used words. The fruits of the Spirit include, joy, peace, love, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The acts of the flesh are ****** immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealo...

I suppose that it is a similar situation to that in Christian schools and organisations where in order to be a teacher or other staff member, you also need to be a Christian. I am not sure what the rationale behind the director not permitting the atheist people offering help, was. What I do know is that a Christian could work side by side with a person of another faith and demonstrate acceptance and love of that person without compromising his or her beliefs. Christian beliefs need to be lived out in action, and do not necessarily have to be talked about. Actions often speak louder than words. There is a lovely story about St Francis who had a young monk staying with him. They were to visit a nearby town the next day so St Francis could preach. Off they went to the town and St Francis spoke to several people and they visited several places in the town, speaking with the people as they went. Then they went home. The young monk was confused and asked St Francis why he did not preach. St Francis said that he did and sometimes he used words. The fruits of the Spirit include, joy, peace, love, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The acts of the flesh are ****** immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. Timothy, in his letter, suggests that it is important for the Christian to tell those who would ask, about the hope that lies within, gently and with humility. So perhaps all of us are a work in progress and perhaps the Christians who did not act with love and kindness, still have a way to go in the growth and expression of their faith and need forgiveness and love.

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Answer 15

So I guess if an atheist pours a hungry person a bowl of soup, it is not nutritious and does not help the hunger pangs?
It appears the only reason Christians are creating soup lines is to make themselves look righteous and to **** with everyone else.

Answer 16

And I say as an atheist why mess where they may be discord? Why the need to state atheism at all? Just volunteer and help. They knew their might be a problem. That's only common sense. Why not start their own soup kitchen. Their motive is suspicious and self-serving in the name of "help" and "generosity". Stay in your own backyard and don't kick up dirt.

Answer 17

You people saying atheists and Christians can't cooperate on efforts like this obviously haven't read these lines:

22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
23 Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them,
24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
26 Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
27 But he will reply, 'I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
28 There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of ***, but you yourselves thrown out.
29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of ***.
30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."

(Taken from Luke 13, NIV)

Answer 18

How does that relate?

Answer 19

One should never turn down any volunteer no matter what their beliefs. Volunteers can be **** to come by. With the state of the world, so many are needed.

Answer 20

True. That wasn't the 'meat' of my inference, however. :-)

Answer 21

Interesting factoid, though - politically conservative atheists tend to give as much charity (average 7% of their income) as do theologically conservative theists.

I used to be extremely religious (ultra-orthodox Jewish), and though I no longer believe I have seen that religion seems to attract the best and the worst with very little in-between.

I know some very holy people who devote their lives to helping other, real saints. I also know a lot of hypocrites, liars, abusers, perverts and thieves in religious garb. Unfortunately the latter WAY outnumber the former - which is why I lost faith, I suppose - If there were a ***, it seems he could do better. The problem exists in all religion, to even greater degrees in my experience. Too many people would kill, steal, or oppress their fellow for this "***" and that seems to be encouraged by most in the clergy. It's a shame really.

The Jewish sage Hillel once said the sum total of Torah is "do not do unto another that which is hateful if done unto you". Jesus (who I don't believe actually existed) is attributed with saying "Love your neighbor as yourself" (okay, it comes from Akiva who lived at the same time, but let's not quibble). Ben Franklin said, "I believe in ***, and that he ought to be worshiped. I believe in a soul that...

Interesting factoid, though - politically conservative atheists tend to give as much charity (average 7% of their income) as do theologically conservative theists.

I used to be extremely religious (ultra-orthodox Jewish), and though I no longer believe I have seen that religion seems to attract the best and the worst with very little in-between.

I know some very holy people who devote their lives to helping other, real saints. I also know a lot of hypocrites, liars, abusers, perverts and thieves in religious garb. Unfortunately the latter WAY outnumber the former - which is why I lost faith, I suppose - If there were a ***, it seems he could do better. The problem exists in all religion, to even greater degrees in my experience. Too many people would kill, steal, or oppress their fellow for this "***" and that seems to be encouraged by most in the clergy. It's a shame really.

The Jewish sage Hillel once said the sum total of Torah is "do not do unto another that which is hateful if done unto you". Jesus (who I don't believe actually existed) is attributed with saying "Love your neighbor as yourself" (okay, it comes from Akiva who lived at the same time, but let's not quibble). Ben Franklin said, "I believe in ***, and that he ought to be worshiped. I believe in a soul that will be treated with Justice in the afterlife according to its behavior in this one. I believe the highest serve we can render unto *** is to show kindness to His other ********"... These things I believe in, but I never really found any religious denomination that practiced those principles - especially those that insist the loudest that they do.

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Answer 22

That's what is so pathetic about this, Trans. I have no doubt that if YOU were running a soup kitchen, and I came down and offered to help; you'd toss me an apron and a hair-net. You'd probably thank me too. If some of my atheist friends and I were handing out blankets to the homeless people in Keiner Plaza (St. Louis), and you offered to help, or to bring blankets; I for **** sure wouldn't turn you down.
But this woman makes everyone look bad, even when they are doing something which is helpful to those who need it most.

Answer 23

You're in good company. I, too, once blamed *** for all of man's foibles. In some respects I still do, but the harshness of my otherwise impotent appraisals is tempered by the understanding that *** SURELY must be the quintessential libertarian. :-)

To intervene in the affairs (and atrocities) of men/women would be to truncate their freedom of will, and *** seemingly prizes that very freedom more than He would otherwise value forced conformity. He has no interest in automatons. Go figure.

Answer 24

Why did they feel it necessary to make it known they are atheists? Christian soup kitchens feed the mind and soul, as well as the body. I think they just wanted to cause controversy.

Answer 25

After much wrangling with the usual suspects, that seems to be the consensus. :-)

Answer 26

LOL! Yep. :-)

Answer 27

Turning them away was not a 'christian' thing to do, someone needs a refresher course on the new testament. Then, there is the issue of IT MADE NO SENSE!

Answer 28

Clearly Lou Landrum has missed the point. If you are doing good things ONLY to make yourself look Christian, you are not following the teachings of Jesus. If you need religion to motivate you to do good, you are not good. I'm quite certain I've read stories like this in the Bible. Mz. Landrum is on the side that Jesus rejects.

Answer 29

This Christian is generally inclined to agree!

Answer 30

That's what is so pathetic about this, Trans. I have no doubt that if YOU were running a soup kitchen, and I came down and offered to help; you'd toss me an apron and a hair-net. You'd probably thank me too.

You got that chit correct! I don't turn down free labor. (Of course, the hair net would have the word 'Heathen' printed on it. :-))

But this woman makes everyone look bad, even when they are doing something which is helpful to those who need it most.

True, but I think there's more to this story than is being told. Why was it important for this group to identify themselves as atheists to the matron of the soup kitchen? I'm guessing--although the article certainly doesn't suggest it--that this particular woman/kitchen were targeted by activists. About the whys I can only speculate. Maybe they'd had run-ins before, or had heard through the grapevine that she was ****, a fundy or both (******** there's a difference).

Answer 31

Inference is not evidence. I'm sure you read a lot into the available information which is true. But you cannot in any sense divine what a person would have done if they had been allowed to volunteer.

Answer 32

My understanding was that they agreed NOT to identify themselves as atheists. But even if I misunderstood, why is it so important that they not? If a guy is hungry, why does he care what the person bringing him food believes? And why shouldn't atheists who do good things, be able to identify themselves accordingly?
I think part of the vitriol that people like Mz. Landrum has toward us (atheists) is that you rarely see atheism-based groups doing community service; so people ****** that we don't do any. The reality is that most of us do serve our community, but we do it with the OTHER groups we ********* with, rather than as a group united by disbelief in deities. But maybe if more people could see us serving our communities, identified not as members of the American Legion, or our ********* schools, but rather AS atheists; they might respect us for our contribution, even if they don't share our beliefs. It's wrong for religious groups to try to corner the market on public works and charity. It doesn't make their religion look good; it just makes others look bad; and FAR more importantly, it hurts the people who need the help that we would provide.

Answer 33

My understanding was that they agreed NOT to identify themselves as atheists. But even if I misunderstood, why is it so important that they not?
You didn't misunderstand, but there's more to the back story than meets the eye. Why did they need to preface their offers of help with such a promise? Did they go to the kitchen wearing the T-shirts? Or did they volunteer (to the matron) that they were an 'atheist group'? This is important. Like I said I wouldn't care who you were, but if I ran this kitchen and an 'atheist group' approached me about anything, I think I'd brown my drawers.

If a guy is hungry, why does he care what the person bringing him food believes? And why shouldn't atheists who do good things, be able to identify themselves accordingly?
You're asking the wrong person. I wouldn't care, and I ****** atheists are just as capable/desirous of being altruistic as anyone else.

But maybe if more people could see us serving our communities, identified not as members of the American Legion, or our ********* schools, but rather AS atheists; they might respect us for our contribution, even if they don't share our beliefs.
Agreed! This is why I believe atheists should mount such efforts as an autonomous gestalt and not even make the attempt to ally themselves with other ...

My understanding was that they agreed NOT to identify themselves as atheists. But even if I misunderstood, why is it so important that they not?

You didn't misunderstand, but there's more to the back story than meets the eye. Why did they need to preface their offers of help with such a promise? Did they go to the kitchen wearing the T-shirts? Or did they volunteer (to the matron) that they were an 'atheist group'? This is important. Like I said I wouldn't care who you were, but if I ran this kitchen and an 'atheist group' approached me about anything, I think I'd brown my drawers.

If a guy is hungry, why does he care what the person bringing him food believes? And why shouldn't atheists who do good things, be able to identify themselves accordingly?

You're asking the wrong person. I wouldn't care, and I ****** atheists are just as capable/desirous of being altruistic as anyone else.

But maybe if more people could see us serving our communities, identified not as members of the American Legion, or our ********* schools, but rather AS atheists; they might respect us for our contribution, even if they don't share our beliefs.

Agreed! This is why I believe atheists should mount such efforts as an autonomous gestalt and not even make the attempt to ally themselves with other groups--at least not until such time as they've established a precedent in social perception. As it is now (and the reasons are legion), atheists have about as much of an image problem as Muslim fundamentalists.

It's wrong for religious groups to try to corner the market on public works and charity. It doesn't make their religion look good; it just makes others look bad; and FAR more importantly, it hurts the people who need the help that we would provide.

The choir cums!

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Answer 34

Religious factions are the old school politics. They can be debilitating to the truly faithful when the people in charge allow politics to sway their cause. However, if either group were truly interested in just helping out, neither would need a flag to wave.

Answer 35

Seems a little stupid on the part of the Soup Kitchen. Aside from losing the help they might have gotten, they also generate bad feeling towards themselves.

"This is a ministry to serve ***,” Lou Landrum, executive director of the soup kitchen, told the paper. Surely it's a ministry to serve the poor? Wasn't Jesus supposed to have said "What you do for one of these you do for me"? So if an atheist serves the poor he would be serving ***, as far as the soup kitchen's director was concerned. Surely that would count as a win-win?

Over here many religious charities and support groups are happy to have volunteers from any or no religion; after all, they figure, they might manage to convert some of them, though this has never happened in my experience.

Answer 36

I think what happened here is that the matron of the soup kitchen was set up. Apparently, and although the article doesn't say so directly it's implied by the details of the story, these atheists either showed up to help in their T-shirts or they made a big point of telling this woman that they were atheists. After that it was the luck of the draw. If their help had been accepted, they'd have either worked a few hours and left, or would have left immediately. They were looking to smear some Christians, not to help in a soup kitchen. They could have chosen any one of a hundred different other ways to help the homeless.

No, THESE atheists were spoiling for a fight.

Answer 37

Hmmm. I'd like to see some evidence for your ********** as to what these atheists WOULD have done...

Answer 38

Oh, I'm sorry, you must have missed the part where I said "I THINK what happened here is that the matron of the soup kitchen was set up. APPARENTLY, and ALTHOUGH THE ARTICLE DOESN'T SAY SO directly it's implied by the details of the story, these atheists either showed up to help in their T-shirts or they made a big point of telling this woman that they were atheists. "

Obviously this is a matter of SPECULATION or CONJECTURE. No evidence is required (even if the implications are in-your-face obvious).

Answer 39

These lines, as I interpret them, say that salvation isn't dependent on simply saying you accept Jesus as your savior, that a non-believer can have a shot at entering Heaven that a believer doesn't. That counters Landrum's comment:

"'This is a ministry to serve ***,' Lou Landrum, executive director of the soup kitchen, told the paper. 'We stand on the principles of ***. Do they (atheists) think that our guests are so ignorant that they don't know what an atheist is? Why are they targeting us? They don't give any money. I wouldn't want their money.'"