I was surfing over at Adam’s (thanks for the nice re-telling of our meeting) when I happened upon this:

(The Idaho Statesman) Homeless people would be encouraged to accept Christ under a plan taking shape to solve the Community House problem.

City officials are negotiating with the Boise Rescue Mission to rent and operate the Community House homeless shelter at 13th and River streets as a shelter for men.

The mission works without government funds because it wants to protect its religious purpose. “We are a church,” says the Rev. Bill Roscoe, executive director, who met Friday with Mayor Dave Bieter. “Our mission is to promote the gospel. We do that by providing the services we provide.”

That ministry would remain intact if the mission takes over Community House. Homeless men could get out of nightly worship services only if they subscribe to another faith — and prove it by taking a short quiz. “I feel comfortable with that offer,” City Councilwoman Elaine Clegg said.

So, here they are willing to take this off the city’s hands, raise the money, and take care of the homeless. The Statesman’s concerned clearly that some non-Christian might be required to attend a chapel service. How awful!

I mean this is fact that a lot of the homeless are there because they have no purpose, no direction, and are just aimlessly drifiting. The Rescue Missions across this country bring people out of that to relationship with God, into good relation with their fellow men and it changes their lives.

The idea that you just give people some food and a bed and let them drift around and think that you’re doing something great is absurd. All you’re doing is giving a man a fish. What the Rescue Mission does is teach them how to fish by giving them a purpose in life. Its still up to them as to whether they’re going to listen to them.

Geez, Adam, if Christianity is such a great product, why do you feel the need to bribe hungry people to accept it?

Suppose I’m a homeless Jew. If I want food and shelter you’re going to make me sit through Christian services, unless I can pass the Judaism 101 pop quiz?

I don’t recall Christ testing the religious knowledge of the prostitute whose feet he washed. I don’t remember Christ only healing the pious lepers.

Now, if they want to give food and shelter and offer voluntary religious services, I’m all for it. People should come to religion out of personal inquiry and self-reflection, not because they’re homeless and hungry and have no other choice.