To the editor:
So another church in Lawrence is planning a multimillion-dollar expansion, following fast on the heels of several other churches that have invested a total of over $10 million in land acquisition, additions, new buildings, and other necessities for the devoted followers of Jesus.
Meanwhile, agencies and groups ministering to the poor and needy in Lawrence struggle to maintain food pantries and provide such life necessities as food, clothing, and a place to sleep at night. But, the hungry and homeless can rest easier at night, knowing the affluently religious in the city have their shiny new retreats, gymnasiums, playgrounds, offices, classrooms, and rural retreat and recreation centers in which to comfortably recite the words of Jesus.
Ponder the irony: Those who profess to devoutly follow the teachings of Jesus - indeed, call themselves Christians - sitting in their new sanctuaries, relaxing after a nice meal prepared in their new church kitchens, as their children play in the gymnasiums and well-groomed soccer fields, reading from passages of the Gospels - perhaps Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30, or Mark 10:17-31? - and reflecting on what good Christians they are.
To borrow a catch phrase of the day, "What would Jesus do?" Build more playgrounds and soccer fields for the well-fed offspring of these fine Christian citizens? Or, perhaps, take those millions intended to make the pietistic churchgoer more comfortable, and devote them instead to making sure that no child in Lawrence goes to bed hungry and cold?
Mark Jakubauskas,
Lawrence
Comments
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merrill (anonymous) says…
Excellent commentary.
erichaar (anonymous) says…
Wow. I can't believe this is even in print. Can you imagine the outrage that would occur if Mr. Jakubauskas had revealed such bigotry toward Islam or perhaps the gay community?
craigers (anonymous) says…
This is rediculous. The churches have been blessed and are growing so heaven forbid they expand their buildings and make them nicer. When you have more sheep you need a bigger field. When you have more parishioners you need more space. The facilities are so the church can come together and fellowship. I don't see anybody banging down the doors of First Management. They seem to be doing really well and always purchasing more housing to rent out to people and make profits. Maybe they should upkeep the apartment complexes and let the homeless stay there for free. No that wouldn't be right, they can enjoy nice things because they aren't under the veil of Christianity. These people that cry foul so much are even bigger hypocrites than some professing Chrisitans are. God wants His people blessed, maybe if you attended some of these places, you might be blessed too, but not in a monetary way.
And just for the record, I don't go to either of these churches that are expanding with multimillion dollar additions. I just find it funny that people will find any reason to bash Christians in this town. I guess that goes with the territory though, Christ said that people will not like us because they didn't like him first.
absolutelyridiculous (anonymous) says…
Not bigotry at all. A reality check for us that call ourselves Christians! Obviously we are missing the message of Christ if Mr. Jakubauskas is seeing our hipocracy. Mark, please forgive us, we know not what we do sometimes.
kuhusker (anonymous) says…
"It's pretty much like saying because I own a home, drive a nice car, dress nice and can afford to eat what and where I want to, that I should feel guilty about it because there are less fortunate people out there.
Well, I don't feel guilty at all."
Are you Christian?
If so, you should feel at least a bit guilty.
That guilt doesn't mean you have to live a life of poverty, but it does mean you should appreciate your blessings and do what you realistically can to help the less fortunate.
craigers (anonymous) says…
Feeling blessed isnt' the same as feeling guilty. Guilt comes from knowing you did something wrong, and I see nothing wrong with having nice things.
craigers (anonymous) says…
However I know what you were saying and yes we should give back to those less fortunate, kuhusker. I was not trying to start an argument with my last comment.
mightyquin (anonymous) says…
Correct me if I am wrong but isnt being a christian about giving to those in need and helping those who cant help themselves? I dont think anyone should feel guilty because they are prospering, but isnt giving back part of what being a christian is? Churches whose memberships are growing do need to expand, but if there is all this money out there for building new facilities there would also be a lot more for the homeless, or elderly, or those without medical insurance?
big_blue (anonymous) says…
The fact that only Christian churches are targeted in this letter speaks volumes. (Welcome to Lawrence.) The truth of the matter is that the Christian churches of Lawrence do a lot for our community.
The author wants us to believe that he is so intelligent that only he can see a great irony in our community. However in targeting only Christians, his true agenda shows through. I'm left with the feeling that he's concerned more with denouncing Christianity than he is helping the homeless of Lawrence. Is he implying that all of the non-Christian churches and non-church going letter writers of our community are doing all that they can do?
I wonder if the author's house, car, stereo, television, lap top, cell phone or next big purchase could be considered too big, expensive or extravagant in comparison to what he does for those cold and hungry children in someone else's eyes?
The big picture is that the thousands (not millions) of dollars that Christians spend on their churches is our way to ensure that our church will be here in the community for generations to come. This in turn ensures that our support for the programs of this community (and tolerance for those who don't understand us and their hypocrisy) will be here as well.
eyeswatter (anonymous) says…
Home run, Mark! Of course, the argument that comes back will have the word "throw" in it-as in, "You are committing the typical liberal mistake of oversimplifying the problem. You can't fix the homeless problem by throwing money at it." Of course, they're not throwing their money at the church expansions, they're using it wisely. "Those bums without a home would waste any donated money on booze." That's as far as the advantaged classes will get with your challenge, Mark. Guaranteed.
Tennyson LeMaster
lunacydetector (anonymous) says…
the writer should set an example to the "Christians" and let the poor into his home 24/7.
That would set a fine example and prove he puts his money where his mouth is.
i'm surprised the writer didn't incorporate "Taliban" to follow the word Christian.
what new multi-million dollar churches are going in anyway? i haven't heard. must be out west where the escaped mountain lions roam.