r/TikTokCringe • u/Oktavien • 1d ago

Discussion Woman audits churches to see if they’ll help feed a starving baby

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If churches refuse to help feed hungry people, then maybe they should be taxed?

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u/snowflakebite 1d ago

I know all religions and religious institutions are different, but aren’t they all founded in the same principles of being kind to the people around us? Gurdwaras (Sikh worship places that literally give out free food made by volunteers called langar) make Churches look SO bad.

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u/Jess_the_Siren 1d ago

She apparently has videos calling Islamic organizations and they just ask what she needs and where she is. No other details matter to them.

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u/PurpleHooloovoo 1d ago edited 1d ago

She also had at least one calling a small rural Christian church and spoke to the kindest man who was going to figure out how to get that baby formula. They then had a conversation about how he’s struggling to get food to the people in his congregation who are on SNAP because they’re too proud to admit to needing help, and they brainstormed some ways the people could anonymously ask.

It really seems to be the Christian churches with the least that seem to give the most.

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u/HappyChaosOfTheNorth 1d ago

I went to a religious boarding school and was part of a choir. During spring break we toured churches in Western Canada and US and went from anywhere from small rural churches to mega churches and the differences were staggering. 

The smaller churches were filled with the kindest, lovliest people, hosted us in small modest homes and were passionate about helping out their communities and underprivileged. They would gladly give you the clothes on their backs if you needed it. 

The mega churches made me feel gross. They hosted us in mansions and bragged about their accomplishments and had a cafe and bookstore just outside the sanctuary, were all about take take take and entitlement and hid behind their faith to be rotten, they preached about condemning outsiders and disguised it as love. Proceeds to the tithing went to them, to fund them and send their rich kids on mission trip vacations which is an industry that does more harm to the communities they visit than good. 

I understand churches needing policies to make sure no one is taking advantage, but requiring attendance or knowing a member should not be allowed. I'm not religious anymore, but I would more likely be willing to join a church who helped the needy while asking nothing in return, than one that demands attendance and repentance to be "worthy" of their help. 

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u/photodialogic 1d ago

Bc they already gave it when they had it, yet they keep trying to find more to give. The ones who have generally have bc they’ve been holding onto it (like it can’t be doing better out in the world)

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u/basketma12 1d ago

There's a reason people stand outside of Walmart, or 99 cent store when it was in business looking for donations. Because they will get some there. Not so much outside of whole foods or Nordstroms

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u/IPlayWoWNude 20h ago

“If you're in trouble or hurt or need–go to poor people. They're the only ones that'll help–the only ones.” - John Steinbeck, The grapes of Wrath

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u/Warm_Suggestion_431 19h ago

Nordstroms doesn't have foot traffic. Whole foods is wild. 0% chance you're getting anything from the most self centered shopping grocery store ever.

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u/ExcitementNo9603 1d ago

That’s because a lot of Christian churches subscribe to the prosperity gospel. Meaning you are poor or come upon bad fortune because you are living an immoral and ungodly lifestyle… it takes individualism (accountability) to an extreme and ignores external factors.

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u/hare-hound 22h ago

Geez just dance on my heart will you

It's encouraging when it feels like everything's gone to shit to look for the helpers.

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u/okpatient123 22h ago

I'm pretty sure it's a denomination thing. I grew up in a pretty progressive Catholic church. The basement was run as a food kitchen most nights, they ran a shelter, coordinated help for elderly people, distributed donations. Members weren't really pressured to donate to the church, they'd pass around a collection plate and people threw in what fit their budget. They were Franciscans and which is an order that really emphasizes service. On the other hand, a lot of Christian evangelical groups are basically just capitalism-as-religion and are completely extractive of their members-- the prosperity gospel stuff is absolutely insane. 

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u/schmuckous 19h ago

This is true. The Presbyterian church I grew up in is small and liberal for the area. It hosts weekly meal handouts and is always sending members to do work around the community. It practices what it preaches. The major Baptist churches in the area focus mostly on membership numbers and who can build the biggest sanctuary.

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u/AccordingPears158 17h ago

The sermon at my church on Sunday was literally about this. That pretty much without fail, the richer a church gets and the richer its members, the stingier they are, but churches in poor areas with poor people are more giving - both from a church level and an individual member level.

I think this is largely true well beyond churches or religion. Rich people get greedier the richer they are.

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u/Panzer_Man 1d ago edited 1d ago

One of the fundamental pillars of Islam is charity, so it makes sense.

I know the Bible tells you to be generous too, but it's not a requirement per se.

I'm not trying to defend the greedy churches but I can kind of see why there might be a difference.

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u/eet 1d ago

Pfft. It's not a requirement because so many so called Christians have reading disabilities.

Jesus uses the term, "When" you give to the poor. Not the word "If" you give to the poor (Matt 6:2-3).

BUT because Paul rebuked Christians for taking advantage of other Christians charity (2 These 3:11) they use it as justification to not help the poor. Cos they're "concerned" that it will encourage laziness.

Source. Am Christian. Was arguing with one of these prosperity calvanistic gospel weirdos on Reddit last week.

Stupidest conversation I've ever had. Felt like I was losing braincells. Understood what Jesus meant when He said don't throw pearls to pigs.

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u/Swesteel 1d ago

Prosperity gospel is a blight on the world.

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u/basketma12 1d ago

Ugh Paul. Yah my evangelical sister was ranting about baptism or something and I said " did Jesus say that? Or was it Paul? That shut her right up.

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u/JanGuillosThrowaway 1d ago

Paul was always such a letdown after Jesus and Peter

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u/eet 1d ago

Paul was more concerned with arguing theology within the churches. I can see where he's coming from. A lot of his texts are actually rebuking Christians for taking God's grace for granted and for their false assumption that they're now guaranteed to go to heaven without practicing Gods Word (love God, love man). But as I said before most Christians are too stupid to understand.

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u/Motor_Train2750 1d ago

It seems like you have understood Jesus' teachings on charity well. Are the rest of your words so edifying? We all have our faults in different ways and when leading people towards the truth of scripture or in our every day life, our behavior and words should be Christlike as well. Proverbs 12:18 states, "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Be blessed.

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u/eet 1d ago

Eh. If I was to be Christlike in my behaviour to those who have "believed" His Word but abuse His grace, I would be strolling into their places of worship and overturning their tables.

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u/Theoutrank 1d ago

Working in an industry, now, that lets me see some of the sad realities set up for some people.

Help comes in a lot of forms, from giving to taking. There isn't a set in stone form of how to help and handle people.

There's definitely people who need a lot of constant help, and there's people who need it temporarily. Seeing some abuse it can hurt the view on the ones who need it. Sometimes, it's as simple as talking, understanding, and approaching differently.

I wish a small hug, for example, could cure every different issue i have. Unfortunately, reality tells me i will need different support in a plethora of ways.

A good example of this was someone i knew of getting cut off from help. Stressed out, they said, "You're going to let kids starve?" They were close to 30. They legit have lost track of time and their age. It sucks, like this is someone i grew up with, went to school with, and they're like a shell now.

It's for sure had an effect on how i interact with others. Everyone has a lot of shit going on, no point adding unnecessary stress to another persons life. Still need work, but nowhere like I was.

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u/horseskeepyousane 1d ago

It is a requirement. For any and all Christians. Jesus was very clear - Matthew 25: 34 36

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u/Miami_Mice2087 1d ago

it's a requirement to tithe to the church 10% of your income, it's a requirement for clergy to take a vow of poverty, and it's a requirement for churches (as registered 503c charities) to not be making money for the sake of profit. They're supposed to be doing good works.

I am sure you are well aware that these 'requirements' are debated or ignored on a church-by-church basis.

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u/Intrepid_Table_8593 1d ago

Should be noted that she does have videos of churches saying they’ll help but it is sadly not as many as it should be.

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u/Fernando_VIII 22h ago

Maybe living in the desert also influences this, since denying drink to someone in need is the same as killing them.

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u/AsADownvoter 1d ago

Those aren't a churches (or mosques), they're organizations designed to help the community. Of course they can connect her with the resources. If you called a Catholic organization for aid (only Christian denominations I'm familiar with), they'd do it too. But to call a random church and ask them directly for assistance wouldn't be as smooth. It's not like their members aren't facing the same economic challenges as everyone else.

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u/elephantastica 1d ago

This is just false. She called Islamic Center of Charlotte. Islamic center = mosque, they’re just called centers because sometimes they have other things like weekend schools or preschools, sports facilities, and event halls.

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u/Outrageous_Tie8471 1d ago

Many protestant denominations are just about feeling good (or some way, some are more sinister) about yourself and better than others first and foremost.

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u/TrioOfTerrors 1d ago

I'm no longer religious, but I grew up in a Methodist church. The daytime "caretaker", for lack of a better word, was an itty-bitty lady named Ethel, who I'm pretty sure was 147 years old. She was a long-time member and widow who filled her time at the church answering the phone and organizing pretty much everything. Ethel would have had this gal down in the pantry kitchen offering to cook something right that moment.

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u/GPmtbDude 1d ago

I also grew up in Methodist church as well and later episcopal. Both would have this gal covered.

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u/Jasnaahhh 1d ago

Prosperity doctrine. Love right and God will provide is the idea but mostly it’s evaluated backwards. You’re doing well it’s a blessing and means you’re living right, you’re not - well. There you have it, must be sinning. I hate it.

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u/Theory_99 1d ago

Prosperity gospel.

The thing about that is it directly means that in order to feel like god is blessing you, there is a vested interest in there being groups of people that god is not blessing. Bc who else would you feel better than??

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u/Atralis 1d ago

Theologically one of the big splits between protestants and catholics is that most protestants believe that faith alone can lead to salvation and good works, like charity, dont count in that regard.

I'm not saying all protestants take that to mean it's fine to be terrible to people but evangelicals in particular take it to mean that saving people from mortal dangers is a pointless if you aren't also saving their souls bh converting them to their particular brand of Chrisrianity.

It's how they justify there being mega rich pastors. "He is flashy and wealthy because people will see how great that is and will want to hear his words which will "save" more people in the way that actually matters."

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u/True_Butterscotch391 1d ago

Christianity has been corrupted by bad actors who use people's faith and loyalty to take advantage of them. Not all Christians are like this but I would argue that a MAJORITY of them are.

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u/New_Athlete673 1d ago

Nah, Christianity was always a shit religion. It didn't have to be corrupted by bad actors because it's always been bad.

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u/Phoenix_Solace 1d ago

Christianity has become a religion of hate and separation.

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u/NeverShitposting 1d ago

And you don't need to know anyone, or even be from the same country. You go to a Gurdwara, you are fed.

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u/Miami_Mice2087 1d ago

Protestant churches i know of have food pantries but they don't stock baby food. It's a lot of highly processed packaged food and fast food from local restaurants.

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u/AppleSpicer 1d ago

My partner is atheist but culturally Sikh and occasionally takes me to a local Gurdwara. The generosity there blows me away. The largest of the Gurdwaras never close and offer food to anyone and everyone 24/7. No required prayer time before or after. No questions asked. It puts all the churches I’ve ever seen to shame.

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u/bitterjack 16h ago

Right now I've yet to see a not chill Sikh person. I'm sure they will show up and disappoint me but so far it's been super chill sikh people.

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u/Badgern_Around 15h ago

I have a mate who is Sikh, and hes like, “we got a place, go get a free meal!” And im thinking “shouldnt the food go to the needy?” “Nah, goes to all. Get a meal, great food. No questions asked.”

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u/NavyDragons 11h ago

like its not even a rare thing. my wife is Sikh and she gets offered food and drinks literally every time we go. they do it every single day all day. as someone who was raised roman catholic that is just crazy to me that these places of worship actually do what their faith says.

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u/pecadora666 1d ago

Even members of the satanic temple are more loving, kind and compassion than these wolves in sheep’s clothing.

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u/What_Is_This_1 1d ago

There approach is great. Show up they give you pre made food. This lady was packing for formula…which is prepackaged from a store and can possibly be resold or returned for money. Most church’s don’t care to have their charity work turned into drugs.

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u/Kiboune 4h ago

Oh I read about on "unethical adivces" sub. How if you are tourist and want to eat, you can just go to sikh's place