Usually it's a slap on the head, and when that doesn't instantly and magically cure the problem, then they follow up with accusations of "Wanna Pity Party?", "you're holding onto secret sin!", or "you must really WANT to suffer!".  Sometimes it's also handed out with special requirements like happened one time - in order to put food on our table, we had to go to a "Spiritual Deliverance Service" at the local megachurch - where the Assemblies of God preachers TRIED TO BREAK UP OUR MARRIAGE (because they said we had a "family spirit").  They ordered us to separate, and we were so offended that we got up and walked out.  The person (steeplejacked Episcopal priest) who "helped" us was raging mad when he was informed, but it was like I told him - we'd agreed to go, but we didn't say that we'd stay, especially in light of how we were treated.  (There was no more aid from that church - "mainstream Episcopal" btw, and shortly after that we were driven from the parish.)

Their aid always comes with strings - usually overt, but they ALWAYS tie strings to any aid they give.

Their "Help" is well known to knowledgeable homeless advocates and researchers.  I've interviewed and talked with quite a few people who were homeless, who told of those sorts of churches actually stealing from them (they were homeless, so they shouldn't be carrying around money or things of value - those should have been sold in an effort to prevent homelessness, and they must be stolen or something similar).  Their "Shelters" are horribly abusive - although most religious-based shelters usually are (as I learned, the ecumenical shelter I did research at were using vicious psychological tricks and hard-sell proselytizing on anyone who wasn't "Good Christian" - and found that sort of behavior and treatment to be common).  That same shelter, by the way, was teaching their "clients" to accept whatever abuse came their way in order to keep their horrible junk jobs - even physical abuse.  (That really offended me when I learned that - from the person doing the teaching and who insisted that poor people had to "let go of their pride and do whatever it requires to keep their job".)

The churches believe that if a single time "fix" doesn't cure your problem, then you have done something wrong or are doing something wrong - usually you get accused of being an alcoholic or addicted to drugs.  They don't even think about things like disabilities (especially those not caused by personal failings) or the necessity for any sort of long-term care, except I do remember one person saying something about begging for a living.  If you have a hidden disability, you're automatically assumed to be lying and faking it, and you'll get "Get a Job!!!" thrown in your face (been there, done that, have the t-shirt).

The reality is, those types want to throw a few pennies at you and make you join their church, and then demand "Tithes and offerings and love gifts and faith seeds" from you - to the tune of up to over half of your income every week.

After all, they (OOPS!  "GOD") have a right to a return on their investment, don'tcha know?  (The pennies they threw at you.)

by ArchaeoBob on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 11:38:38 AM EST

This seems a faulty interpretation of the story. Pharaoh was seeking wise counsel from Joseph, who according to the scripture, was greatly blessed by God with wisdom and insight. Pharaoh decided to be cautious and heed Joseph's warning.
Robison is in effect saying that Pharaoh should have let the people starve because he would not listen to God's messenger. After all, slaves and the common folk really would have had no way or even a place to put up so much grain.

Of course, later on Pharaoh actually did not listen to God's messenger (Moses)... and we know how that turned out for Pharaoh.

by COinMS on Tue Jan 22, 2013 at 06:01:31 PM EST