Do Prisoners Deserve Christmas Gifts and Cookies?

[design_mom]

I do not see anything wrong with it, as long as the high school students are willingly participating (not being forced to). I agree that part of the Christmas spirit is forgiveness and helping those who are less fortunate. Maybe a kind deed would really make a difference in someone's life... and it's not like cookies, socks and Bibles are extravagant gifts.

That said, each individual can only do as much as he/she can and must choose which people/groups get their help. I wouldn't have a problem with it if someone said "I'd rather donate to the elderly" or "I'd rather donate to children." The church should be free to set up whatever ministries they choose, but people should also be free to give their help/money/time in the areas that they feel best about.

 

[dngnb8]

Depends on the jail. Some crimes shouldnt get a thing.

 

[MrsDuck]

i'm not seeing a problem with this outreach effort. I can't for the life of me think of a negative outcome, while i can imagine a few positive ones.

+1!

 

[ols386]

I'm not seeing a problem with this outreach effort. I can't for the life of me think of a negative outcome, while I can imagine a few positive ones.

I agree. And that's exactly how I see it, as an outreach effort.

Nothing bad can come of it.

 

[luvmy3]

Very difficult to get into this without breaking board rules but in the Christian scriptures all humans sin repeatedly.

I found the its the time for forgiveness remarks interesting, I was always taught that you would be forgiven of your sins if you were sorry for them. I didn't think the idea is to just go around forgiving people that truly aren't sorry for what they have done. While my pp was done tongue in cheek, it really does make me think about true forgiveness for these criminals, and why some are so quick to say they deserve it especially this time of year. Unfortunately you are right, it can't be discussed at length but a simple "thats right" or "thats wrong" about the bolded would be fine

 

[okeydokey]

Why shouldn't we reach out to those in prison. Isn't that what Christian forgiveness is all about? Our church has a prison ministry and we strive to follow our church's teachings to love others as out leader did.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I didn't think the idea is to just go around forgiving people that truly aren't sorry for what they have done.

Not the PP you quoted, but I think that's exactly what the idea is. Since I have no way to really know what's in someone's heart, I forgive without knowing if they are truly sorry or not.

It's hard to tiptoe around these questions and answers, isn't it?

ETA: I guess I can also say that forgiving someone benefits me just as much, probably moreso, than the person I forgave. It feels good to forgive, like a weight off my shoulders. And that's all she wrote!

 

[HeWhoMustNotBeNamed]

By all means good to do ... I know first-hand how these types of acts of kindness can have beneficent impacts on those who are imprisoned.

 

[RitaE]

I found the its the time for forgiveness remarks interesting, I was always taught that you would be forgiven of your sins if you were sorry for them. I didn't think the idea is to just go around forgiving people that truly aren't sorry for what they have done. While my pp was done tongue in cheek, it really does make me think about true forgiveness for these criminals, and why some are so quick to say they deserve it especially this time of year. Unfortunately you are right, it can't be discussed at length but a simple "thats right" or "thats wrong" about the bolded would be fine

How about a Yes and a No? You will find differences amongst the Denominations on the importance of Confession and Repentance. I will just say that Jesus offers his gift to all - no matter how grievous the sin or how often it is committed. The view of Christianity is that once you choose to accept his gift of sacrifice and love, your faith will lead you to repentance and a desire to live your life in a manner that pleases him.

And I'm probably well outside the board rules here but I'll just mention that Jesus spent the final hours of his life in the company of thieves. The Bible is full of stories of Jesus and his ministry to those living less than moral lives and his willingness to offer them his acceptance. It is not surprising to me that a Church Youth group would choose such a project, because it directly ties to the teaching of the Christian faith. Our High School Youth Program frequently does projects with a local halfway house in a similar manner.

But there's nothing wrong with showing some love toward needy children or nursing home residents either.

 

[luvmy3]

Not the PP you quoted, but I think that's exactly what the idea is. Since I have no way to really know what's in someone's heart, I forgive without knowing if they are truly sorry or not.

It's hard to tiptoe around these questions and answers, isn't it?

ETA: I guess I can also say that forgiving someone benefits me just as much, probably moreso, than the person I forgave. It feels good to forgive, like a weight off my shoulders. And that's all she wrote!

Okay, but to me that isn't doing it for them, its doing it for you. There is nothing wrong with that reason, but IMO that really isn't forging them KWIM?

I think there are people who are capable of looking past one's sins and forgiving them for whatever reason, and there are people who aren't. I'm one of those people who aren't. I don't believe there is a reason to be unkind to these prisoners during the Holiday Season, but I don't see a reason to go out of the way to be kind to them either.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Okay, but to me that isn't doing it for them, its doing it for you. There is nothing wrong with that reason, but IMO that really isn't forging them KWIM?

I think there are people who are capable of looking past one's sins and forgiving them for whatever reason, and there are people who aren't. I'm one of those people who aren't. I don't believe there is a reason to be unkind to these prisoners during the Holiday Season, but I don't see a reason to go out of the way to be kind to them either.

Yep, I completely understand what you're saying. I'm not Catholic, but your second paragraph reminds me of Pope John Paul II, when he reached out and forgave the man who attempted to assassinate him. That's a level of forgiveness far beyond anything I can imagine.

 

[Donaldswife]

Okay, but to me that isn't doing it for them, its doing it for you. There is nothing wrong with that reason, but IMO that really isn't forging them KWIM?

I think there are people who are capable of looking past one's sins and forgiving them for whatever reason, and there are people who aren't. I'm one of those people who aren't. I don't believe there is a reason to be unkind to these prisoners during the Holiday Season, but I don't see a reason to go out of the way to be kind to them either.[/QUOTE]


I completely understand your reasoning, and I am sure there many others that feel the same way. I do not.

I think prisoners ARE one of the groups we should reaching out to. They are most likely lonely, forgotten, or feel "less than." Most of them will not spend the rest of their lives in prison, they will get out eventually.....I think it is in society's best interest that these human beings come out of that environment believing that there are good people in the world who will give them a chance. I believe they deserve to hope for better for themselves, and have a chance at a bright future. I am aware that many of them will repeat their crimes and end up back in jail, but some of them won't. If more of them believe they can change their lives, odds are more of them will!

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm not seeing a problem with this outreach effort. I can't for the life of me think of a negative outcome, while I can imagine a few positive ones.

I agree. I believe that if society really wants to rehabilitate those sent to jail then it is important to ensure that we let those folks know that they are thought of as more than just criminals who do not even deserve a stinkin' cookie at Christmas. If the church wants to enlist teenagers to bake as a part of a community service effort I am all for it.

 

[luvsJack]

I posted this in another thread, but I had a cousin that landed himself in jail over Christmas one year many years ago.

He broke into the restaurant my parents owned at the time and stole many items (mostly food--frozen steaks and seafood-- but not to eat, to sell).

Anyway, my siblings and parents and I put together a Christmas gift for him. Mostly a care package of things could have while incarcerated. And some food items, Christmas cards.

Now, all these years later, he is a successful contractor and still remembers what we did for him. He still stops in and checks on my mother all the time and is closer to our family than he is his own. (who did nothing for him that holiday)

I don't know if our reaching out to him, letting him know we forgave him for his crime and giving him a Christmas gift had any bearing on the way he eventually turned out, but I don't think it had a negative effect in anyway.

You never know what a small act of kindness can do, and it rarely is going to hurt. I would encourage dd to participate in something like this.

 

[beaucoup]

I can think of others I would give something to before giving to a criminal. I don't reward for deciding to commit a crime. Their family & friends can take care of them, if they decide to. I'm not wishing them a bad holiday or anything, I just would rather give elsewhere.

Military troops, vets, shelters, food pantries, charitable organizations of my choice, etc.

 

[MzDiz]

Jesus asked his father to forgive his executioners while he was dying. If you're looking to live by his teachings, not being harsh about some cookies and socks might be a good start.

And what is this garbage about "depends on the crime"? None of us are qualified to judge who deserves compassion.

I'm an atheist. I'm the immoral one.

 

[luvsJack]

I can think of others I would give something to before giving to a criminal. I don't reward for deciding to commit a crime. Their family & friends can take care of them, if they decide to.

Military troops, vets, shelters, food pantries, charitable organizations of my choice, etc.

Its not about rewarding anyone for anything.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

No one deserves a present, not even a child deserves a present. A gift is given freely and with little to no resentment. I was taught to treat others with respect and forgiveness if they want it. An act of kindness given to those less fortunate, forgotten and often those who acted badly sometimes feel the warmth of a nice act that was done without anything expected in return. That's just is how I was taught. The prison outreach program is a good idea for those who are often forgotten in the holiday season. Sure, there are unrepentant people in there but then again there are others who feel sorry for the crime that they have committed.

 

[MrsPete]

Interesting question.

From a theoretical point of view, yes, the church is supposed to spread Jesus' name to everyone -- and that includes people in prison. God values every soul equally and wants every soul brought to Him.

From a realistic point of view, we have limited time and money; thus, we cannot "do" for everyone, and we have to make decisions on which charities are going to get our help. Personally, prisoners aren't on the top of my list. Giving to strangers in prison has never even occured to me.

I assume these teens were being asked to prepare the cookies and socks, but they weren't delivering them personally. I don't think teens -- especially young teens -- have any business being in a prison. It's just not an atmosphere they're ready to handle, even if all assurances are made that they're perfectly safe. Minimum security prisons in our area have "open visitations"; that is, family members are allowed to visit in a cafeteria-type room. They go through a screening first, so the staff knows they aren't bringing in weapons, but they're allowed to sit with their loved ones. They can actually hug, hold hands, whatever. The phones/glass walls that you see on TV are actually reserved for higher-level security prisoners.

 

[Sorsha]

I'm an atheist. I'm the immoral one.

Me too.

But somehow, from my past life, I always remember that "Judge not, lest you be judged.." bit.