You misunderstood me. If you are homeless and hungry, there is nothing wrong with going to a homeless shelter to get these services. That’s why they exist. I’m saying that a religious order will not accept you as a member if your only motivation is survival. I’m sorry your brother treated you the way he did and I hope you’re doing okay now.

AnEx

The harsh reality is that sociopaths and status chasers rely on the existence of the suffering to validate their perceived altitude/ego.

It’s why scientology is out of reach to the majority of the world’s population.

If everyone is “special”, no one is.

It’s very sad that one would equate being displaced with “looking for free eats.”

It’s okay, I didn’t understand homelessness, either, until it was forced on me. It was an experience that granted much compassion for society’s most vulnerable members. I will say that you’ve hit the nail on the head as far as the majority of religious institutions: churches don’t help their communities, they help their members. Catholic, Baptist, non-denominational Christian, they’re no different than the Church of Scientology, in that regard.

Come back wearing nicer clothes.
Talk about compassion!
While I don’t side with the Sea Org, I can say that any religious order won’t accept someone who is simply looking for three hots and a cot. The more caring orders will try to find you a place to stay but religious orders are places that require a lifelong commitment to their beliefs and practices. Many times there will be intense labor involved (Sea Org particularly) and that requires a desire to help fulfill the order’s mission. If you’re just looking for free eats or whatever, it won’t be just the Sea Org that turns you away.