PBS: Are Americans a Stingy Lot of People?

[daredtowork]

24. Yes, just adding on

The interaction of the church and the welfare system is not well-understood at all.

Before I was actually on welfare, it made me so angry every time I heard "faith-based initiative". I felt that this violated the Constitution and taxpayer money shouldn't be diverted to the Church. I felt poor people shouldn't be indirectly inducted into any faith through "gratitude" for charity. I knew, from personal experience, that Church Ladies, were about as judgmental and gossipy as it gets! I didn't think the dignity of human beings down on their luck should be in their hands.

Now that I am on welfare, my views have changed a bit. When you get zero in direct cash and have no other resources, suddenly it becomes a bit more acceptable that some form of charity - even if it's religious charity - is there to give you a baggy with toothpaste and a toothbrush or to give you a hot meal or to provide a place to do your laundry or to give you a pair of shoes.

I still believe people shouldn't have to desperately turn to church charity. But in the end, even I have.

(St. Vincent de Paul, Oakland, is doing a lot that a public social services center should be doing, btw).