LEAVING THE CHURCH
By Chris Pierson
I met a woman today when I was leaving a church. She didn't fit the picture in my mind's eye of what "poverty"should look like. Nor did she fit the picture that media and politicians often portray. She was tall, well-dressed, long blond hair, blue eyes, and attractive. Upon closer look, however, I could see that she was also disoriented as she walked through the church's small parking lot. As I turned the corner there she was again standing in front of the United Church of Christ building. Crossing the street again she stood in front of a United Methodist Church, clearly disoriented- poverty has a way of doing that to you. Asking if she needed any help, if she was O.K., began a conversation that was at times cryptic and often confusing.
What caused this woman, who does not fit the profile, to be wandering in the streets aimlessly I still do not fully comprehend but as we talked I quickly learned that she was a human being struggling to make sense out of her life. She was unsure, literally and figuratively, how she came to be where she was. She shared with me that she was sleeping across three chairs in someone else's home. She doesn't smoke, she doesn't drink, she doesn't do drugs but they do. She believes that something isn't right- she said it repeatedly, "It doesn't seem right. I don't understand."
She shared with me that she was losing her faith in God and that she didn't know how to pray any more. After I prayed for her she began to pray as well. She cited scripture from memory- accurately and appropriately. I fed her lunch and departed for home still feeling disturbed and powerless.
Why? Because, in spite of the euphoria that so many feel following the recent elections, the word "Poverty" was not mentioned during the debates.
Why? Because, in spite of the fact that over one-hundred thousand people petitioned Jim Lehrer to ask a question regarding poverty he did not.
Why? Because, in spite of the fact that half the world - nearly 3 billion people- live on less than $2 a day it was not considered worthy of dialogue and debate.
Why? Because, in spite of the fact that 30,000 children die each day due to poverty there is no "12 Point Plan" to address the issue and to save lives.
Why? Because, nearly every other child alive in the world today lives in poverty.
Why? Because, we simply have not made ending poverty a priority for us even though we have the means to do it.
According to one study, the United States of America spends more on cosmetics than it would cost to provide basic education for all developing countries. The same study revealed that Japan spends more on business entertainment than it would cost to provide water and sanitation, reproductive health care, and basic health and nutrition in all developing countries.
I share the sentiment of rock singer Bono who said recently:
"It is extraordinary to me that you can find $700 billion to save Wall Street and the entire G8 can’t find $25 billion to save 25,000 children who die every day of preventable treatable disease and hunger. That’s mad, that is mad."
I feel both disturbed and powerless because I still believe that God has chosen the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom God promised to those who love God. Because we have dishonored the poor (James 2: 5-6). We are told that if a brother or sister is without clothes and DAILY food and one of us says to them "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." I feel both disturbed and powerless because on a bright Saturday afternoon she wandered aimlessly from church to church but no one was home.
To learn more about the work of the church and economic justice follow the links below.
General Board of Church Society
Also follow the links in the "Bodies Count" article on this page
To view the Poverty video click here
To view the Poverty in America video click here
View "How Hunger Feels" here *