A group of Upstate atheists plans to hand out care packages downtown this weekend after the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen wouldn't let them volunteer.
"I told them we wouldn't wear our T-shirts. We wouldn't tell anyone who we are with. We just want to help out," Brannon said. "And they told us that we were not allowed."
According to the Soup Kitchen's website, the organization is dependent upon volunteers, having more than 600 community volunteers with a mission to serve the hungry in Spartanburg.
Lou Landrum, executive director of the Soup Kitchen, told the Herald-Journal she would resign from her job before she let atheists volunteer and be a "disservice to this community."
"This is a ministry to serve God" she said. "We stand on the principles of God. 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."
Brannon said the group has worked with Christian nonprofits, such as Habitat for Humanity, in the past.
"We can all work together to achieve something positive regardless of religion or lack thereof," she said. "We've raised money for March of Dimes, worked with the Generous Garden Project, done community park clean ups, adopted a highway, and sponsored local foster children for Christmas."
She said the group is used to its share of animosity within the community, but the exchange with the Soup Kitchen was unlike anything she had experienced.
"They are the only group that denied us the opportunity to volunteer," Brannon said.
Yep can't have Atheists helping out the poor and destitute, after all they might get infected with critical thinking skills.
I wonder how the media would respond if this were how a Muslim group, or Jewish group, or Christian group were treated?
But of course it wasn't. it was just those lowlife, good for nothing, atheists.
Amazing how 'christians' will cut off their noses to spite their faces! What idiots! Atheists can't be as giving as the phony Christians? Give me a friggin' break! Suspect they might just be a tad controlling folks? Assuredly don't want to be one of them or reflect their actions.
ReplyDeleteYou go, atheists!
What ever happened to the notion of Christians (or any other faith or non-faith) living their lives in such a way that others would want to be like them? I though the idea was to attract others, so that they would "want what you have".
DeleteIf I were currently a volunteer at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, I'd cease immediately due to the un-Christlike behavior of Ms. Landrum. Then I'd find that athiest group and donate my time and resources there.
I'm a Christian, but I despise (yes I do) this "holier than thou" attitude that many Christians have. Not to mention litmus tests to prove you are "the right kind" of Christian.
No wonder church membership is declining and young people not joining. In my opinion the members are such poor examples of Christ's teachings.
Yes, church membership is declining, which is why the fundies want to ban contraception, among other reasons. I find nothing about contraception in Christ's teachings, and I always thought the Catholic 'ban' was to keep all those litte Catholics coming with their money. Sickening. Hey, Catholics, there is no POPE in the Bible either. There is reference to no one needing an intermediary for their prayers, however.
DeleteYea, its the "I got my xtian attitude"....
DeleteRight now Free youtube concert from Bridge school w/Neil Young for special needs kids...the faces on the kids priceless!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLnOxq-Gydw
Stoopid would never give or participator in something so GIVING yet Neil young has done it for years with a special needs child....
Shame on the fucking repubs!
Christian a$$holes!
The atheist group knows exactly why they want to volunteer. Because the name of Jesus is spoken! and when that happens, reality happens! there can't be accountability to reality can there?
DeleteThe christian "love" is overwhelming!!
ReplyDeleteI live just outside Spartanburg and I can tell you that this is one crazy, uptight group of "christians"!
ReplyDeleteTheir hatred of things different from themselves is so powerful that they have a hard time getting anything done. And they are the "superior" ones!
Imagine if Jesus was working at a soup kitchen, a likely scenario, would he turn away offers of helpful participation from others with different beliefs? From my early Bible studies, I came to believe that Jesus led his compassionate love by example.
ReplyDeleteThese false Christians should be ashamed.
I am so glad the group is still going to continue to help those in need in their community. As for being Christian, the only one NOT acting like Jesus Christ is the evil Lou Landrum.
ReplyDeleteLou Landrum, executive director of the Soup Kitchen, is a hater and not a real Christian.
ReplyDeleteShe will probably fry in hell.
It is not safe to be an Atheist in SC. It is bad for business and terrible for friendships no matter how good a person you might be. I keep my thoughts to myself and say nothing when prayers are offered. The thought that Xtians are persecuted is as absurd as the belief that white males are being punished by affirmative action. Yet I have to put up with that BS as well. Most are nice enough in SC, but keep your beliefs to yourself if you want to have a business or friends.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Spartanburg for a time and I attest that you are correct.
DeleteMel68
I don't believe in God. I wonder if the local soup kitchen run by the Catholic churches in my area still wants my money. They sure cash the checks fast enough. And ask for more. Because people are starving and dying in Flint, Michigan. I don't think God is the first thing on their minds.
ReplyDeleteI 'beg to differ, if you;re working a soup kitchen, you're there to serve people NOT god. "They don't give us money, We don't want their money" .
ReplyDeleteSound familiar? Same grift as "What's in it for me". FWIW, from personal experience, this happens on the librul northeastern region as well.
If Jesus saw a starving person, he'd feed them, not try to convert them. Substitute "Atheist" for "Jesus" and it would be equally true.
Common Ground doesn't exist for some people. It's there but they refuse to see it.
Integrity. look it up 6:07. or move.
ReplyDeleteMy integrity is not in question. I have never pretended to be something I am not. I am not known as a religious person. I have lived in SC for my entire life and have learned how to navigate fairly well. My businesses have been successful for decades. Live and let live. Ugliness is not necessary.
DeleteAnd that is why I can't stand organized religion.
ReplyDeleteI like how they were supposedly "targeting" the group. Even when people are explicitly trying to help this woman, she can't stop martyrbating. Anything she doesn't like is automatic fodder for her persecution complex.
ReplyDeleteFor some odd reason I watched one of the best videos ever made today.....George Carlin, his best bits over 40 years. It is sooo damn accurate when he describes religion. All under his theorys of bullshit, religion is #1. An invisible man that lives in the sky and watches every single person, every single second and constantly needs money. If you disobey his many rules you will suffer horrible death and go to hell, but he loves you. This is the general idea...worth the listen.
ReplyDeleteWhat an ungrateful woman. I don't see anything christian about her actions. Shame, shame, shame.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do upon the least of my brethrens, you do unto me.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Jesus would starve at that church.
I am pretty sure this is the kind of nonsense the new Pope is talking about. This behavior is exactly what is driving young people from church.
ReplyDelete