Volunteers From Different Religions Come Together To Build Homes

[rug]

Posted: Sep 08, 2012 6:46 PM EDT
Updated: Sep 08, 2012 7:44 PM EDT

ANTIOCH, Tenn.- With each nail, the Khan family's dream is becoming a reality.

- snip -

Habitat for Humanity relies on volunteers to build each of its homes. This time it's the differences of the volunteers that make this project unique. More than 30 religious groups are coming together to build multiple homes in the Edison Park neighborhood in Antioch in a project called the Unity Build.

"Hey that's really what religion is all about. We're all out here to help each other," said Construction Director Chip Wilson.

The Khans will receive the 20th home from the Unity Build. They're a Muslim family from Pakistan with two small children.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/19492265/volunteers-from-different-faiths-come-together-to-build-homes

[Angry Dragon]

1. So without religion these people would not be doing this??

What I see is that using religion as your basis to do something is pretty weak.

[rug]

3. Maybe, maybe not.

Nevertheless, the observable fact is that these people are doing it out of religious motivation - for a Pakistani family in Tennessee.

Feel free to post when a secular or atheist organization does so.

[Angry Dragon]

6. For the most part atheists are not organized

they just go out and help people because it is the right thing to do and do not call attention to themselves.

I find that if one needs religion to define themselves then if they lose that religion then they stand the chance of losing their direction. That is a weak person.

[rug]

7. Fighting poverty requires more than an individual's whim.

I see nothing weak about these people.

[Angry Dragon]

10. They are if they use only religion to motivate them to do good things

Are you saying that people without religion do not do good things??

[rug]

12. There is nothing whimsical about this.

It is motivated, organized, and effective .

What I said is clear, your rephrasing is dishonest.

Rather that spurn their motives, why don't you post actions by others that do not have these motives? I don't buy your "they're too modest" argument.

[mr blur]

23. He's not saying anything.

Certainly not about religiously-motivated clinic-bombers or doctor-killers. Or paedophiles.

If a group of people get together and do something laudable then who cares what religions they follow? Well, of course, religious people do - they're the ones who hate each other for following the wrong god.

[rug]

37. That's correct because this article is not about clinic bombers.

Go start one. You're aching to do it.

[humblebum]

15. What a self-righteous crock. I am sure that there are atheists who do such things, but to

intimate that atheists do such things for the right reasons and that religious people do not is about as biased as it comes.

[cbayer]

4. Jeez. No one said that they wouldn't do it without religion.

No one even said they were doing it because of their religion.

All it says is the a large number of otherwise unaffiliated religious groups had come together to do something good for others.

How in the world can you find that objectionable.

[Angry Dragon]

5. I have no problem with their actions, I just question their motivation

The article was about religions building houses. If you do not call this doing something because of religion then why even mention religion??

[rug]

8. What is wrong with doing good based on a religious motivation?

[Angry Dragon]

9. Nothing

Now ask yourself why you do good things. Is it because your religion tells you to or do you do it because it is the correct thing.

Oh, by the way I need you to finally answer a question.

[rug]

13. If there is nothing wrong with it, what are you going on about?

To answer your question, the two are not in conflict; you assume one.

[Angry Dragon]

17. I question their motivation

And if religion had nothing to do with it then there was no need to even mention any religious affiliation

[rug]

18. I question yours.

So what?

[Angry Dragon]

24. Why would you question my motivations??

[rug]

28. Why would you question theirs?

[Angry Dragon]

30. I asked first rug ...........

I have noticed that you refuse to answer questions
or you answer with a question


I stated before why I questioned their motivation

Now your turn

[rug]

31. Your answer is simple.

You view all things related to religion to be toxic, including religious people building homes for the poor.

Answer mine.

[Angry Dragon]

34. Your answer just proves you have no idea how I feel about religion

I found the article boastful of religions putting their intolerance of other religions aside to build a house.
I just find that if one needs religion to do good things then I feel they lack something.

[rug]

35. You haven't answered my question.

My impression of your religious views comes from your posts.

It is a stretch, without those views, to see anything "boastful" in this article, not to mention considering them to be "weak" due to their religious motivations.

[Angry Dragon]

36. I did ........ unless I misunderstood your question

[cbayer]

11. These are organized groups of good people doing good things.

The point of the story is that they are helping each other despite differences in religious beliefs and practices.

See, that's a good thing. You really have to turn yourself into a pretzel to try and paint this as a bad thing.

[Angry Dragon]

14. Where did I say it was a bad thing??

'
'The point of the story is that they are helping each other despite differences in religious beliefs and practices'

If religion causes chasms between people perhaps religion is the problem

[cbayer]

19. And if religion builds bridges, perhaps it is a solution.

[cbayer]

2. Very cool story and in Tennessee to boot.

[cordelia]

16. A dig at the South, huh?

Great.

[cbayer]

20. I have lived most of my life in the south. This is not a dig at all.

Tennessee has had serious problems with the religious right, like laws that say that creationism much be taught in science classes.

I am applauding the pushback, not bashing the south.

[longship]

21. Nice!

And, with or without intent, an ecumenical outreach to Moslems. Isn't TN where a recent outbreak of mosque opposition has happened?

I approve of any take away people may assume from these kind of compassionate gestures.

Good for them all.

[cbayer]

22. Yes, Tennessee is where the mosque issue has been going on.

I also am very glad to see this kind of pushback.

[dimbear]

25. Had to research this question. Apparently it is a local option whether Habitat for Humanity

refuses the assistance of secular groups. As usual, not at all in blue areas, where secular assistance is offered and accepted gladly.

[cbayer]

26. Are there examples of refusal to accept assistance from secular groups?

This surprises me.

[dimbear]

27. It appears there are, from the complaints expressed by the secular groups.

Surprises me too, but again apparently only in red areas. More research would be welcome here. Or voices on the ground.

[rug]

29. What secular groups?

And when?

[dimbear]

32. All I could do was google 'habitat humanity secular members.'

Some examples of exclusion come up. They're apparently all in the South. Someone from there should speak. In particular clarify if the resistance to seculars is just resistance by individual members or is official.



*This came up simply because I always thought Habitat was more or less a secular/religious combine, and I was surprised you would lead with a header indicating just religious folks acting.

[rug]

33. Ths is Habitat For Humanity:

http://www.habitat.org/how/default.aspx

Habitat was made famous by Jimmy Carter's - ongoing - involvement.

The headline is from the article.

I've heard nothing about them refusing anyone's help.