Christians like to pretend that they pattern their actions after what they think Jesus Would Do. I say "pretend" because it happens so often that they act so horribly - like a Charlotte, North Carolina church that withdrew from a food pantry serving the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.

The Charlotte Observer reports (via Suburban Guerrilla):

Central Church of God explained its decision in a letter March 1 from minister of evangelism Shannon Burton to Loaves & Fishes in Charlotte.

"As a Christian church, we feel it is our responsibility to follow closely the (principles) and commands of Scripture," the letter said. "To do this best, we feel we should abstain from any ministry that partners with or promotes Catholicism, or for that matter, any other denomination promoting a works-based salvation."

Loaves & Fishes isn't the only ministry with which the large church has cut ties, and Catholics have not been the only reason they've given. The Rev. Tony Marciano, executive director of Charlotte Rescue Mission, said Burton told him the church could no longer support the agency after it allowed three Muslim students from UNC Charlotte to help serve a meal.

I'll wonder if this church would refuse to work with tax collectors and publicans as well?

This sort of attitude used to be far more common among fundamentalist Protestant sects. The Catholic church was regarded as the Whore of Babylon, the Antichrist, and anything other than genuinely Christian. This attitude isn't as widespread today, but Shannon Burton makes it clear that religious bigotry against Catholics (and, of course, Muslims) isn't dead in the American heart.

Perhaps because of the negative publicity this generated, though, the church reversed it's decision (sort of):

Reverend Loran Livingston apologized. ... But Livingston says the church will no longer support Charlotte Rescue Mission, citing in part the involvement of three Muslim students who helped serve a meal there.

Livingston said the church will reconsider whether to support Crisis Assistance Ministry, which provides emergency financial aid and other help to the needy, and welcomes assistance from all faith groups and those of no faith.

They still appear to be bigots whose hearts have been "hardened" beyond all recognition, but at least they appreciate the harm that can be done by negative publicity.

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