Considering the problem of homelessness, I can refer to several norms that support my belief in the obligations of churches to initiate changes that are targeted at dealing with the problem of homelessness. First of all, it should be considered that home as a residence is a basic human need according to Scripture. According to it, it is a norm for all people to have an appropriate home where they can be safe. Home is also a community that accepts individuals and cares for them. This is an ethical norm that also has biblical roots. As stated by Luke, a home includes family and other people within a particular physical location, church community. Theological sources, such as Psalm, discuss it as a place of belonging and security. Home can be even a county that is one’s native land, with which many positive things are associated. Finally, it is considered to be an ethical norm that deals with social justice and equality. There is no legislation that can make others provide a vulnerable population with home, but it seems to be a moral obligation to all people in the nature of God.
These norms look rather reasonable to me due to the information I have discovered from the articles. Many people do not have any residence, which makes them live in the conditions that are not appropriate for the human beings nowadays1. As a result, they are very vulnerable and have no place to hide in a case of harass. It is critical to provide people with a kind of a shelter that can keep them safe even while sleeping. They were given a precious life, and it would be wrong to lose it because of no opportunity for protection. The contemporary social structure shows that homeless people are strangers to the general public even though they were born within the society, which proves that they should take their place back2. In some cases, authorities tend to abuse their power and take homes from people3. They are able to dishouse a person if they need this territory or even expatriate one with no permission to go back to the native land that was a home of previous generations and holds history. Except for that, the government today actively emphasizes the rights of various populations, claiming that they should not be deprived. It tries to create a caring community with shared views and beliefs4.
Considering everything mentioned above, I think I can create an argument, which states that Atlanta local churches should be obliged to call for reforms aimed at dealing with the problem of homelessness. I strongly believe that the moral form of this argument has teleological reasoning because it tends to bring good results without direct imperatives. All people should have a home because it makes them feel protected and supported. Having safe and appropriate home is the greatest good for the society. The church should initiate reforms to make the government and society cope with homelessness because it is the highest moral institution guided by God’s words and ethical beliefs. If Atlanta local churches do not call for alterations, it will prevent achieving the greatest good for the society. This act will be wrong that is why they should do their best to initiate reforms. Even though Troxell also claims that homeless people are sometimes fairly blamed for their situation, they deserve one more chance and a helping hand that can teach them of how to become a new person5.
Bibliography
Furness, Sheila, and Philip Gilligan. Religion, Belief, and Social Work: Making a Difference. Bristol: Policy Press, 2010.
Holden, Samuel R, and Dominic E. Snider. Homelessness in America: National Assessments. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2012.
Keefe, Thomas, and Ron E. Roberts. “Homelessness: Residual, Institutional and Communal Solutions.” The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 13, no. 2 (2015): 400-417.
McNamara, R. Hartmann. Homelessness in America. Westport: Praeger, 2008.
Miller, K. Swenson, Georgiana L. Herzberg, and Sharon A. Ray. Homelessness in America: Perspectives, Characterizations, and Considerations for Occupational Therapy. New York: Haworth Press, 2006.
Troxell, Richard. “Prevent Homelessness at its Core: The Universal Living Wage.” House the Homeless, Inc. 2013. Web.
Footnotes
- Swenson Miller, Georgiana Herzberg, and Sharon Ray. Homelessness in America: Perspectives, Characterizations, and Considerations for Occupational Therapy (New York: Haworth Press, 2006).
- Thomas Keefe and Ron Roberts, “Homelessness: Residual, Institutional and Communal Solutions.” The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 13, no. 2 (2015): 400-417.
- Richard Troxell, “Prevent Homelessness at its Core: The Universal Living Wage.” House the Homeless, Inc. Web.
- Hartmann McNamara, Homelessness in America (Westport: Praeger, 2008).
- Richard Troxell, “Prevent Homelessness at its Core: The Universal Living Wage.”