Atheists Not Allowed To Volunteer at Soup Kitchen

Atheists Not Allowed To Volunteer at Soup Kitchen

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Each year around Thanksgiving I get to thinking that my family and I should volunteer to serve food to the homeless at a local shelter or soup kitchen in town. This would be a good deed that would help others and it would remind us how fortunate we are to have a nice home, family and food on the table. Every year, however, I don’t do it, probably because I selfishly would rather spend Thanksgiving with family in a warm house with lots of turkey.With this in mind, I was flabbergasted by a recent story that surfaced out of Spartanburg, South Carolina. At a local soup kitchen, volunteers were turned away from helping the poor and the homeless.  The reason, you ask?  The volunteers were atheists (do not believe in God). In an interview with the local paper, Lou Landrum, executive soup kitchen director, said that she would resign before allowing atheists to volunteer in her kitchen. She was quoted as saying, “Why are they targeting us?” Yes, why are you trying to help at a soup kitchen, atheists? Go make whatever soup they serve in Hell and leave the hungry alone!”
This reaction seemed a bit extreme so I dug into the story further. Were the atheists pushing an agenda? Handing out anti-God leaflets? Nope. Eve Brannon, president of Upstate Atheists, was quoted as saying they had no hidden agendas and no one would wear any anti-God clothing or give out any leaflets. “They just wanted to help,” she said.And help they did. After being rejected by the soup kitchen, they set up shop right across the street. After raising $2,000, they gave away care packages with essential necessities in them. A win-win – the homeless ate a decent meal and then picked up a bag full of goodies across the street.

Author’s Perspective: I would like to do a pro and con on this story, but I just can’t see the other side.

Point #1: If people want to volunteer, it shouldn’t matter their ethnicity, political beliefs, gender or religious/non-religious affiliation. I think you should ask the homeless and the hungry if these things matter to them.  If it does, I will change my opinion. Until then, volunteer organizations shouldn’t turn away well-intentioned people based on such categories.

Point #2: It seems that the behavior of the decision makers at the Christian-based soup kitchen doesn’t seem very Christ-like. I find it difficult to believe that the man who preached love, understanding and forgiveness would approve of the actions and words of Lou Landrum, director of the soup kitchen.

Point #3: Going back to how I began this blog entry, I don’t think that you or I should have to pass a litmus test in order to volunteer or give back to my community. It just seems un-American and mean.

Your Turn (1) respond via this blog, (2) comment on Facebook page (character development & leadership) or (3) tweet to @CDandLeadership using #CDandL):
1) Social Media Question: Do you think the soup kitchen has the legal and moral right to refuse volunteers based on religious affiliation or any other category?  Why or why not.
2) Happy Thanksgiving to you. I hope you spend your day with family, friends and good food. What are your plans?

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  1. I believe they should have been allowed to volunteer at the soup kitchen. Just because someone doesn’t share the same belief as you doesn’t mean you should exclude them or behave rudely just respect that that is there decision as they respect your decision. If you can’t deal with people not thinking the same as you you really shouldn’t leave your home at all.

  2. I think atheists should be allowed to work in a soup kitchen. Just because they don’t have that believe doesn’t mean anything. It just discrimination over religion if you look at it.

  3. No because help is needed and they need all the can get. And who are they to go around telling people what they can believe.

  4. 1) I believe that it was wrong to refuse his service just because he had his own religious belief, doesn’t mean he can’t volunteer.
    2) To enjoy time with my family.

  5. I don’t think that its right that there not letting them volunteer just because there religion and there belief’s. they should have the same rights to do everything just like everyone else.

  6. i think that they should of been allowed to volunteer, just because someone doesn’t share the same beliefs as you doesn’t mean they arent a kind person on the inside.

  7. No, religious beliefs should not decide whether you are a good person or not.
    Because I know a lot of people that aren’t religious and they are good people.

  8. I don’t think it’s right. If help is needed then it shouldn’t matter who helps. Religion doesn’t make a difference for a person trying to do a good thing.

  9. I think it is admirable to want to help serve regardless of your religious beliefs. I believe that, as a woman of faith, we are called to love our neighbors regardless. It is not our job or our place to judge other based upon their beliefs and actions, we are to just simple love them as He would.

    1. No, religious beliefs should not decide whether you are a good person or not.
      Because I know a lot of people that aren’t religious and they are good people.

  10. i think that they should of been allowed to volunteer, just because someone doesn’t share the same beliefs as you doesn’t mean they arent a kind person on the inside.

  11. 1.)No, religious beliefs should not decide whether you are a good person or not.
    Because religion doesn’t matter it’s who you are as a person not what you believe in.

  12. I do not think that anyone should be told to stop volunteering based on their beliefs, it is not changing the way they act or treat others.

  13. I do not think that the soup kitchen should have turned away these volunteers based on their religious beliefs. This action might have been deemed discrimination on the basis of religion. These volunteers were trying to help those in need, so regardless of their religious affiliation, they should have been able to help, especially considering they weren’t advocating for Atheism or shaming Christianity through their actions.

  14. 1. I believe that as long as the soup kitchen is a private organization, they have the right to do whatever they think is best. That being said, I think it is absurd for them to refuse help from other volunteers due to their religious standings.
    2. I am writing this in April, so we have no Thanksgiving plans.

  15. 1) Social Media Question: Do you think the soup kitchen has the legal and moral right to refuse volunteers based on religious affiliation or any other category? Why or why not. I think that it is very unfortunate and discriminatory, they have the legal right. It is a misconception that because they do not believe in that, they are bad or are tarnished.
    2) Happy Thanksgiving to you. I hope you spend your day with family, friends and good food. What are your plans?
    I spent thanksgiving cooking and with my family.

  16. I think not letting someone volunteer because of their beliefs is stupid. No matter what your thoughts are on things in life at the end of the day you are just trying to help people in need.

  17. I think it would be stupid to say no to someone who is trying to volunteer. No matter what our thoughts are on life at the end of the day you are trying to help people in need.

  18. I believe it was wrong on their part on not allowing the atheist to help out. It should not matter who you are ,what you are or what you believe in what should matter is the good that they want to bring. If you want to help others I feel like you should be able to without anybody telling you otherwise because of your religion and where you stand in life.

  19. I believe that they do not have the right to ask that if you are volunteering and it is not a job they should not have a say in your belief.

  20. I believe they should have been allowed to volunteer at the soup kitchen, just because someone doesn’t share the same belief as you doesn’t mean you should exclude them or behave rudely just respect that that is their decision as they respect your decision. If you can’t deal with people not thinking the same as you you really shouldn’t leave your home at all.

  21. I believe they should have been allowed to volunteer at the soup kitchen, just because someone doesn’t share the same belief as you doesn’t mean you should exclude them or behave rudely just respect that that is their decision as they respect your decision. If you can’t deal with people not thinking the same as you you really shouldn’t leave.

  22. I believe that atheists should be allowed to work in just a soup kitchen. The fact that they don’t have that same religious orientation doesn’t mean anything. It just discrimination over religion.

  23. I believe that any religion should’ve been allowed to volunteer. Everyone who wanted to volunteer just wanted to help out those who were less fortunate than them. Had there not have been two separate kitchens, there probably could’ve a combined and even more successful effort to help those in need.

  24. I think it is unfair that somebody’s religion and beliefs can have an effect on not being able to work where they want to. An Athiest should definitely be able to work in a soup kitchen, there is no reason to not allow him to. People shouldn’t judge somebody based on their religious beliefs.

  25. I don’t think that it was far that they didn’t let the atheist volunteer I believe that it doesn’t matter where you are from or what religion you are from.

  26. 1) Social Media Question: Do you think the soup kitchen has the legal and moral right to refuse volunteers based on religious affiliation or any other category? Why or why not.
    No, based on their own religion they are told to be welcoming and tolerant, and even if its charity they denied him help or service.
    2) Happy Thanksgiving to you. I hope you spend your day with family, friends and good food. What are your plans?

  27. the volunteers should be able to help considering you need all the help you can get so you can get to a lot of people in a fast amount of time, what they believe in doesn’t matter when they are just trying to do a good deed nothing more.

  28. this blog post is very motivational in my opinion. people out there dont normally help out the homeless people like these people did.

  29. this blog post is very motivational in my opinion. people out there dont normally help out the homeless people like these people did. i feel asthough people should be more helpful in this world and less hateful.

  30. 1.They have the right but I think it was wrong to turn him down. As I am part of a Christian family. i would not refuse to give a kid some soup for his religious beliefs

    2.Not Thanksgiving, but I hope my thanksgiving will go well this year.

  31. this blog post is very motivational in my opinion. people out there don’t normally help out the homeless people like these people did. I feel as though people should be more helpful in this world and less hateful. I also think it is unfair that somebody’s religion and beliefs can have an effect on not being able to work where they want to.

  32. Selfish service. Landrum made it all about herself rather than about getting the poor fed. Should’ve polled the homeless and asked for a vote