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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Should Halfway House Be Allowed In Residential Area?
Ok mighty bloggers, here is a hot potato type of entry today! The Tribune Herald ran a story in the local page today about a rehab program called The House Where Jesus Shines wanting to place a new location in the middle of a residential area in Bellmead. Pastor Ronnie Holmes of Open Door Church has assured neighbors that the center would be safe and has promised to make sure the center was well lit, a privacy fence would be placed around the center, and that additional staff would monitor the parolees. Since the center will be in compliance to all city codes and regulations, there really is no reason to deny the center’s establishment, right? My thought is that this center should be treated like any other organization in that if it complies with the law, it should be granted a permit to occupy the building. This program has a better rate of success because it is a faith-based program. One of the reasons they are so successful is because they are dealing with the deep root issue of the problem, man’s depravity and sinful heart. If you try and change the behavior and not the nature, most will go back and do the same thing they got in trouble for. Romans 15:1-3 (New International Version) 1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
Based upon the scripture above, would not the right thing to do is allow the center to exist for the sake of all involved? Our personal dilemma is that most of the time, we are too self-centered to apply biblical principles to our daily decisions. Most of us are OK applying biblical teachings as long as it doesn’t affect us personally. Many of the neighbors were quoted as saying they think the program is much needed, but not in their neighborhood! Am I taking the essence of this principle too far in applying it to this particular situation? Could you deal with a rehab center moving into your neighborhood for the good of all involved?
