Woman calling churches

Michie · 2025-11-11T10:20:00-0600

2PhiloVoid said:
I always love it when single individuals decide to become the collective conscience for every other Christian alive today.

Seriously…

Fervent · 2025-11-11T10:20:20-0600

Delvianna said:
Not blaming churches for not having emergency funding already allocated to help people in distress while defending their heartless bureaucracy is wild.

There are contingency funds, but those too have explicit restrictions because churches don't have unlimited resources and are constantly dealing with people in dire situations.

Tropical Wilds · 2025-11-11T10:20:47-0600

Fervent said:
In a perfect world, but most of the people answering the phones don't have the liberty to access church funds. These things are heavily regulated and restricted, and unless there is a prior authorization it would be illegal for them to appropriate church funds to help. There are realities that are being ignored to present a negative assessment of Christians/Christianity and there's a rush to judgment of these churches based on a lack of knowledge of how these things operate. Most church offices, at least the ones I've been a part of, are stretched beyond their limits with people they are assisting within the bounds of their legal abilities and have to make hard choices and say no to desperate people simply because there aren't resources available. It would be nice to have endless funds to help every person who comes looking for it, but that's just not the reality.

It costs $0 for the person answering the phone to say “I want to help you. Food pantry Y is open today from 8-5, they are low barrier, here is their phone number. Food pantry Z had food especially for under 5, they are 24 hours. The homeless shelters here, here, and here have formula, I’ll call ahead to let them know you are coming. If all else fails, go to the emergency room. They have formula there and can help you. Instacart is also doing a food project to deliver food to people without SNAP or means to drive. Have you checked that?”

You excuse inaction by saying church is a business first, community service second. That’s fine, I suppose, but since Christians don’t refer to their beliefs as business-first, non-Christians aren’t going to find that satisfactory. That even being said, though, if I were to call Walmart and they didn’t have formula, they’d tell me where else I could go to find it, and if I showed up there with a screaming baby in acute crisis, they’d call 911.

Michie · 2025-11-11T10:22:53-0600

Michie said:
Seriously…

Because people, even Christians like to tell others they are doing it wrong with no real understanding on how these things work.

Michie · 2025-11-11T10:24:27-0600

There are a certain group of Christians that see no need to even fellowship but rather criticize their brethren. It’s become a thing and an excuse for dropping out themselves.

2PhiloVoid · 2025-11-11T10:24:50-0600

Tropical Wilds said:
It costs $0 for the person answering the phone to say “I want to help you. Food pantry Y is open today from 8-5, they are low barrier, here is their phone number. Food pantry Z had food especially for under 5, they are 24 hours. The homeless shelters here, here, and here have formula, I’ll call ahead to let them know you are coming. If all else fails, go to the emergency room. They have formula there and can help you. Instacart is also doing a food project to deliver food to people without SNAP or means to drive. Have you checked that?”

You excuse inaction by saying church is a business first, community service second. That’s fine, I suppose, but since Christians don’t refer to their beliefs as business-first, non-Christians aren’t going to find that satisfactory. That even being said, though, if I were to call Walmart and they didn’t have formula, they’d tell me where else I could go to find it, and if I showed up there with a screaming baby in acute crisis, they’d call 911.

Frankly, if I were called by some random woman from 5 states over who doesn't ACTUALLY and personally need church benefits from my church, it comes across as illegitimate inquiry. She's not the posse for the world. Sure, Christians could help more, but they, like everyone else, have limited resources and their own families to feed as well.

It would be more productive to simply state an 'encouragement' to Christians everyone that, if they have the individual and organizational means to do so, to step up their generosity at this time rather than wagging the finger at them.

Fervent · 2025-11-11T10:25:41-0600

Tropical Wilds said:
It costs $0 for the person answering the phone to say “I want to help you. Food pantry Y is open today from 8-5, they are low barrier, here is their phone number. Food pantry Z had food especially for under 5, they are 24 hours. The homeless shelters here, here, and here have formula, I’ll call ahead to let them know you are coming. If all else fails, go to the emergency room. They have formula there and can help you. Instacart is also doing a food project to deliver food to people without SNAP or means to drive. Have you checked that?”

You excuse inaction by saying church is a business first, community service second. That’s fine, I suppose, but since Christians don’t refer to their beliefs as business-first, non-Christians aren’t going to find that satisfactory. That even being said, though, if I were to call Walmart and they didn’t have formula, they’d tell me where else I could go to find it, and if I showed up there with a screaming baby in acute crisis, they’d call 911.

I'm not saying they're a business first, that is nothing but a strawman. All I am saying is that there are realities that complicate the issue even if there is a desire to help and we don't know what these churches are dealing with besides this one random woman making prank calls.

Yarddog · 2025-11-11T10:31:05-0600

rambot said:
There is a woman who is calling churches (and now other institutions) with audio of a crying baby in the background asking for formula foe their child as they had no money.
Woman Pretends to Need Baby Formula & Exposes Churches That Refuse to Help

The results at this point have been a distinct condemnation of Christians in America.

What has been a particular salt in the wound is that other organizations have so far been proven to be far more consistent that churches in providing relief. I believe she's set to continue and will update results. You can find this story on multiple sites if you don't like this source.

Now, I can certainly say that this is not any kind of scientific study but as I understand she makes videos of these calls. The results are irrefutable.

American christians: What happenned? You are, purportedly the most charitable group but...if it isn't going to a woman with no baby food is it maybe just going back into your own congregations or salaries? Something needs to change.
I can't imagine just as a human being allowing that to happen.

Maybe the Churches know that she's a fake.

Delvianna · 2025-11-11T10:32:20-0600

Why can't the pastor pull out of his own wallet and then get the church to refund him? Why can't the receptionist? Why can't the dozens of other people who work there do it? Putting this to just budget is insane... Do you guys not give out money to homeless when they're standing on the corner asking? Or do you not go get them a meal if they claim they're hungry? Every single person who works at a church (my mother worked at a church for over 20 years, I'm aware of what people can do) has the opportunity to help or at least go out of their way to FIND help. Viewing this as a business transaction is cold and not the attitude or heart you are supposed to have. She's calling people in Kentucky and Kansas and places that aren't big populated areas like Miami or NY... this isn't a case of having nothing to give, it's a case of just not caring enough to give anything or trying to find a solution because (fill in the blank dumb excuse reason).

Fervent · 2025-11-11T10:38:00-0600

Delvianna said:
Why can't the pastor pull out of his own wallet and then get the church to refund him? Why can't the receptionist? Why can't the dozens of other people who work there do it? Putting this to just budget is insane... Do you guys not give out money to homeless when they're standing on the corner asking? Or do you not go get them a meal if they claim they're hungry? Every single person who works at a church (my mother worked at a church for over 20 years, I'm aware of what people can do) has the opportunity to help or at least go out of their way to FIND help. Viewing this as a business transaction is cold and not the attitude or heart you are supposed to have. She's calling people in Kentucky and Kansas and places that aren't big populated areas like Miami or NY... this isn't a case of having nothing to give, it's a case of just not caring enough to give anything or trying to find a solution because (fill in the blank dumb excuse reason).

Plank, speck. That's all I'm saying.

Delvianna · 2025-11-11T10:39:06-0600

Fervent said:
Plank, speck. That's all I'm saying.

You have no idea what I've done/haven't done, so no you can't just say that like I haven't done a dang thing to help others. And I don't think it's right that you just throw that accusation out there at me, like you know better.

Tropical Wilds · 2025-11-11T10:40:07-0600

Fervent said:
Churches have to have prior approval for all spending, though most set aside contingency funds for charitable giving. But the secretary who answers phones and the pastor and anyone else in the church office is not authorized to unilaterally release funds for any reason.

I'd prefer it not operate that way, but it's the reality of church life in the United States. Churches are legal corporations with legal restrictions on how they can allocate funds. The problem is you're comparing an ideal with reality, rather than recognizing the real issues at play.

2PhiloVoid said:
I always love it when single individuals decide to become the collective conscience for every other Christian alive today.

Michie said:
Seriously…

You know what? That was it right there. I felt a shift, the switch flipped, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt… Christianity isn’t for me anymore. I cannot ethically or morally justify being Christian, nor tell others to be one, when that is seen as the Biblical, Christian attitude. I came to Christianity as a faith, not as an extension of capitalism, and certainly not to snicker about people not having food and how the people who are disappointed in the inaction of the church are the problem… That not feeding people or basic outreach is against the collective conscience and anybody who says otherwise is somehow wrong.

You have, through your speech and works and witnessing of your faith, explained to me clearly and with excruciating detail exactly why Christianity is not the way for me anymore. You have converted me away from Christianity.

Thank you for the wake up call. Truly. I hope you end your day today knowing that the work you did made it easy to walk away from the church with no guilt or even sadness. This forum and that exchange showed me… Nope. Can’t do it. This forum, and you all specifically, take the credit for showing me that Christianity as a religion is just flat out false.

Fervent · 2025-11-11T10:41:29-0600

Delvianna said:
You have no idea what I've done/haven't done, so no you can't just say that like I haven't done a dang thing to help others.

Sure, but all you know about these churches is that some random woman prank called them and you immediately side with the smear campaign.

2PhiloVoid · 2025-11-11T10:43:48-0600

Tropical Wilds said:
You know what? That was it right there. I felt a shift, the switch flipped, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt… Christianity isn’t for me anymore. I cannot ethically or morally justify being Christian, nor tell others to be one, when that is seen as the Biblical, Christian attitude. I came to Christianity as a faith, not as an extension of capitalism, and certainly not to snicker about people not having food and how the people who are disappointed in the inaction of the church are the problem… Thet not feeding people or basic outreach is against the collective conscience and anybody who says otherwise is somehow wrong.

You have, through your speech and works and witnessing of your faith, explained to me clearly and with excruciating detail exactly why Christianity is not the way for me anymore. You have converted me away from Christianity.

Thank you for the wake up call. Truly. I hope you end your day today knowing that the work you did made it easy to walk away from the church with no guilt or even sadness. This forum and that exchange showed me… Nope. Can’t do it. This forum, and you all specifically, take the credit for showing me that Christianity as a religion is just flat out false.

You've obviously misintrepreted what I've said if you can just jump ship that easily. In fact, as a philosopher, I'm going to take your knee-jerk reaction here as a momentary emotional fit. I never said Christians don't need to help the truly needy. But a random woman from 5 states over needs to be asking her local churches, not churches across the nation "as a TEST" for her Tikked-Off-Toks. Her doing so in the way she's doing it isn't something anyone has to see as a legitimate task.

Fervent · 2025-11-11T10:44:06-0600

Tropical Wilds said:
You know what? That was it right there. I felt a shift, the switch flipped, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt… Christianity isn’t for me anymore. I cannot ethically or morally justify being Christian, nor tell others to be one, when that is seen as the Biblical, Christian attitude. I came to Christianity as a faith, not as an extension of capitalism, and certainly not to snicker about people not having food and how the people who are disappointed in the inaction of the church are the problem… That not feeding people or basic outreach is against the collective conscience and anybody who says otherwise is somehow wrong.

You have, through your speech and works and witnessing of your faith, explained to me clearly and with excruciating detail exactly why Christianity is not the way for me anymore. You have converted me away from Christianity.

Thank you for the wake up call. Truly. I hope you end your day today knowing that the work you did made it easy to walk away from the church with no guilt or even sadness. This forum and that exchange showed me… Nope. Can’t do it. This forum, and you all specifically, take the credit for showing me that Christianity as a religion is just flat out false.

All this tirade shows is you are quick to rush to judgment and appears flagrantly self-righteous.

Delvianna · 2025-11-11T10:44:34-0600

Tropical Wilds said:
You know what? That was it right there. I felt a shift, the switch flipped, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt… Christianity isn’t for me anymore. I cannot ethically or morally justify being Christian, nor tell others to be one, when that is seen as the Biblical, Christian attitude. I came to Christianity as a faith, not as an extension of capitalism, and certainly not to snicker about people not having food and how the people who are disappointed in the inaction of the church are the problem… That not feeding people or basic outreach is against the collective conscience and anybody who says otherwise is somehow wrong.

You have, through your speech and works and witnessing of your faith, explained to me clearly and with excruciating detail exactly why Christianity is not the way for me anymore. You have converted me away from Christianity.

Thank you for the wake up call. Truly. I hope you end your day today knowing that the work you did made it easy to walk away from the church with no guilt or even sadness. This forum and that exchange showed me… Nope. Can’t do it. This forum, and you all specifically, take the credit for showing me that Christianity as a religion is just flat out false.

Never walk away from God. Their actions don't reflect on what God taught or what we are supposed to do. I really hope you understand the difference between the two because there are a LOT of fake hypocrites out there in Christian name only and that shouldn't pull you from your walk with Christ.

Delvianna · 2025-11-11T10:46:23-0600

Fervent said:
All this tirade shows is you are quick to rush to judgment and appears flagrantly self-righteous.

How DARE YOU! That was so egotistical I can't even right now! That is what you say to someone weak of faith that is ready to give up? That is DISGUSTING behavior! I am siding with what she found because it was GROSS behavior but for some reason you think this is totally okay and normal to treat people like this? May the Lord rebuke you for this, because this is NASTY.

2PhiloVoid · 2025-11-11T10:47:28-0600

Delvianna said:
Never walk away from God. Their actions don't reflect on what God taught or what we are supposed to do. I really hope you understand the difference between the two because there are a LOT of fake hypocrites out there in Christian name only and that shouldn't pull you from your walk with Christ.

I'm not going to accept being "cited" as a fake Christian simply because I don't fit the mold that some other human being decides I should jump into without clear contexts that show some minimal transparency and integrity on their part.

Fervent · 2025-11-11T10:54:58-0600

Delvianna said:
How DARE YOU! That was so egotistical I can't even right now! That is what you say to someone weak of faith that is ready to give up? That is DISGUSTING behavior! I am siding with what she found because it was GROSS behavior but for some reason you think this is totally okay and normal to treat people like this? May the Lord rebuke you for this, because this is NASTY.

I hardly think her trying to guilt us because she has decided to sit in judgment of us and blame us for her rejection of faith is "weak of faith". It's self-righteous behavior trying to manipulate us and demonstrates a rush to judgment and a lack of attempting to understand the views of others because of a sense of superiority.

Michie · 2025-11-11T10:56:57-0600

Tropical Wilds said:
You know what? That was it right there. I felt a shift, the switch flipped, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt… Christianity isn’t for me anymore. I cannot ethically or morally justify being Christian, nor tell others to be one, when that is seen as the Biblical, Christian attitude. I came to Christianity as a faith, not as an extension of capitalism, and certainly not to snicker about people not having food and how the people who are disappointed in the inaction of the church are the problem… That not feeding people or basic outreach is against the collective conscience and anybody who says otherwise is somehow wrong.

You have, through your speech and works and witnessing of your faith, explained to me clearly and with excruciating detail exactly why Christianity is not the way for me anymore. You have converted me away from Christianity.

Thank you for the wake up call. Truly. I hope you end your day today knowing that the work you did made it easy to walk away from the church with no guilt or even sadness. This forum and that exchange showed me… Nope. Can’t do it. This forum, and you all specifically, take the credit for showing me that Christianity as a religion is just flat out false.

Well I guess you should stop posting in Christian only sections now. Especially when one professes to be Christian and does nothing but tear down their brethren. I say this coming back from donating to our local Rescue Mission. A Christian organization supported by our local Churches.

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