Readers: NLEC’s Closure Will Not Be A Negative For St. Louis
An overwhelming majority of those of voted in the recent non-scientific Sunday Poll don’t think the closure of Larry Rice’s New Life Evangelistic Center (NLEC) will be a long-term negative.
A: Agree or disagree: today’s closure of the New Life Evangelistic Center (Rice’s homeless shelter) will be a long-term negative for St. Louis.
- Strongly agree 7 [11.67%]
- Agree 3 [5%]
- Somewhat agree 2 [3.33%]
- Neither agree or disagree 1 [1.67%]
- Somewhat disagree 4 [6.67%]
- Disagree 12 [20%]
- Strongly disagree 30 [50%]
- Unsure/No Answer 1 [1.67%]
The majority are correct, if the closure remains permanent it’ll be neutral to slightly positive for everyone — including those who end up homeless.
Rice is motivated to keep homeless a visible problem on the streets — that brings in followers and donations. The rest of us concerned about the homeless want to get the homeless off the streets as quickly as possible. The last homeless person I helped had only been on our streets one night when I met him.
If it stays closed, his current supporters will eventually realize religion classes & cold baloney sandwiches isn’t the solution to homelessness
— Steve Patterson