Demand the right to pray within the walls of your church

  • by: Karen Layer
  • recipient: United States Department of Agriculture
As many of you know, I have worked at my church food pantry since it opened over 12 years ago. When we first decided that there was a need for the pantry in our neighborhood, it was our spiritual zest and prayer during our project that inspired us, motivated us and drove us. Our goal was not to do our work for our community. It was to do God's work..in God's home..with God's blessings and help..sharing food and love in God's name. Today, we were informed by the worldly powers that be, that we are no longer allowed to pray together before the opening of our doors unless we hide..for fear that one of our clients might be offended. This greatly offends me. We have never had one complaint from one client. If anything, they have wept with thanks for the giving that goes on in God's home and in His name. They have come to know and love what drives us to give back.
My feeling is this. We all deserve freedom. An atheist organization deserves the right to open its doors to the community and feed the poor in whatever manner it sees fit. I would hope that it would see a loving and giving atmosphere as protocol. I believe that they have as much right not to pray as we do to pray. Our clients are not forced to pray with us and they are usually not even present when we do. We force nothing..we require nothing. All we do is give in our God's name. That should be our right within the walls of our church. Our clients should also have the right to be there if they choose to be or to abstain if they choose to.
Why are anyone's rights being infringed upon? When I am in my church, donating my time in the name of what I believe in, that right should be respected as much as the rights of the receivers of our time and gifts.
This problem does not lie with our clients. 99.9% of them are nothing but grateful and happy with our work. This problem lies with the government demanding that we all change who we are to continue our good and much needed work..
I am angry today. I am stubborn and willing to join any food pantry organization that feels as strongly as I do about this. I am usually a very passive person but I am tired of the aggressors always winning the fights.

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/news/local/soup-kitchen-spurns-usda-food-to-retain-prayer/nX79H/
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