Prison Ministries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

^^ thank you, pp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I take exception to one thing you say: "Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity"

Kindness and humanitarianism does not have Christian roots. You could say that it's the other way around.

Anyone can be kind - or evil. It's not limited to Christians. It's human nature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I take exception to one thing you say: "Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity"

Kindness and humanitarianism does not have Christian roots. You could say that it's the other way around.

Anyone can be kind - or evil. It's not limited to Christians. It's human nature.

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I don’t see this as kindness.

[Anonymous]

My church runs a books for prisons ministry which is another way to help if you aren't comfortable talking to folks face to face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I take exception to one thing you say: "Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity"

Kindness and humanitarianism does not have Christian roots. You could say that it's the other way around.

Anyone can be kind - or evil. It's not limited to Christians. It's human nature.

DP. Indeed. But dominance and evil are also human nature, and until Jesus these were winning out, at least at the state level. Jesus also brought the idea that it's not good enough to be kind to your family and neighbors, you should also be kind to strangers and foreigners (tell that to MAGA, but that's a separate discussion).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I take exception to one thing you say: "Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity"

Kindness and humanitarianism does not have Christian roots. You could say that it's the other way around.

Anyone can be kind - or evil. It's not limited to Christians. It's human nature.

DP. Indeed. But dominance and evil are also human nature, and until Jesus these were winning out, at least at the state level. Jesus also brought the idea that it's not good enough to be kind to your family and neighbors, you should also be kind to strangers and foreigners (tell that to MAGA, but that's a separate discussion).

PP again. Can I add that it's truly impressive how some of you are hell-bent on deflecting from OP's narrow question about prison ministries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I take exception to one thing you say: "Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity"

Kindness and humanitarianism does not have Christian roots. You could say that it's the other way around.

Anyone can be kind - or evil. It's not limited to Christians. It's human nature.

DP. Indeed. But dominance and evil are also human nature, and until Jesus these were winning out, at least at the state level. Jesus also brought the idea that it's not good enough to be kind to your family and neighbors, you should also be kind to strangers and foreigners (tell that to MAGA, but that's a separate discussion).

PP again. Can I add that it's truly impressive how some of you are hell-bent on deflecting from OP's narrow question about prison ministries.

I suggest that you get used to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I take exception to one thing you say: "Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity"

Kindness and humanitarianism does not have Christian roots. You could say that it's the other way around.

Anyone can be kind - or evil. It's not limited to Christians. It's human nature.

DP. Indeed. But dominance and evil are also human nature, and until Jesus these were winning out, at least at the state level. Jesus also brought the idea that it's not good enough to be kind to your family and neighbors, you should also be kind to strangers and foreigners (tell that to MAGA, but that's a separate discussion).

PP again. Can I add that it's truly impressive how some of you are hell-bent on deflecting from OP's narrow question about prison ministries.

I suggest that you get used to it.

Nah. Don't give in to the (mom's online chat group) terrorists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

PP may write a lot of words, but they say the same thing as I do -- Kindness is kindness. The Romans may have been cruel, but still, the opposite is simple kindness, from anyone. You don't have to be a certain religion, or any religion, to be kind.

That certainly shows up today, when many so called Christians support the atheist, Donald Trump, who purports to champion their cause.

OP was trying to say that Jews are bad people but couldn't say the quiet part out loud.

I don’t see anyone posting Jewish people are bad people. I do see people posting that Christians are bad people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:former prison volunteer and former public defender here.

Prisoners are generally really lonely and would welcome any conversation just to connect with another human being. Prisoners are also humans in a very stressful situation and can become needy.
If I could start from zero, I would talk to them about
family, schooling, work, interests (most prisoners are in for drug crimes and the stalking prisoner is a LifeTime movie myths). I Would Not try to help them materially, legally, or even in communicating with their families. That's not your role and you'll never be able to solve all their problems. All you can do is show them some Christian kindness. Good luck and keep in mind that prisoner ministry is not for everyone (but also try to remember that "I was in prison and you visited me").

How is Christian Kindness different from kindness from another religion? or from no religion --- just plain old kindness?

You have it backwards.

The ancient Romans didn’t believe in kindness at all. They killed and enslaved millions of people and thought it was a great achievement. They raped women because women were second class citizens. They threw babies into trash dumps — literally — because it was perfectly acceptable to avoid having an extra mouth to feed. They had zero regard for the poor, the disabled, etc. I could go on and on. The earliest Christians had the exact opposite takes on everything. Everything that we take for granted today as solid “liberal”humanitarism finds its roots in Christianity. So, to be kind in the way that the term is used today, absolutely has Christian roots, whether you like it or not. It’s a historic fact.

And yet … why did the earliest Christians act this way? Did they just wake up one morning and decide “let’s be really really really nice to everyone?” No. They acted that way because they were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and wanted to emulate him. His life and teachings were the exact opposite of what everything common in those ancient societies — compassion, mercy, grace, reaching out to the lost, a profound respect for women and children, and a life of serving instead of being served.

That’s why people say “Christian kindness” — because it really was different at one point, even if we take it for granted today that this is what all kindness looks like.

To the extent that many Christians in the United States have lost sight of this — and they absolutely have — this says more about those “Christians” than it does about Christianity itself.

I think this is a ridiculous take. It is like saying all Americans are cruel and heartless because our current leaders are cruel and heartless. Even if you assumed all men and most women acted this way, do you also believe that the women were never kind to one another? Or do they just not count, other than as victims?
Christians did not invent kindness. GMAFB!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of an Atheist Prison visitation group? I would be interested.