Faith-Based Activism on Climate; Rebuilding Neighborhoods

>>> COMING UP, MY REPORT FROM THE BAYOUS OF SOUTH LOUISIANA WHERE FAITH-BASED ACTIVISTS ARE TRYING TO HELP COMMUNITIES THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

>>> AND CAN CHARITABLE GIVING SOMETIMES DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD?

LUCKY SEVERSON LOOKS AT WHAT ONE EXPERT SAYS IS THE BEST WAY TO FIGHT POVERTY.DIVIDUAL, AND GROUP RETIREMENT PRODUCTS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT.

>>> WELCOME, I'M KIM LAWTON, SITTING IN FOR BOB ABERNETHY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

VIOLENCE, TERRORISM AND CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY CONTINUED TO DOMINATE THE NEWS THIS WEEK, AND WORLD LEADERS CONTINUED TO DOMINATE THE NEWS.

AND WORLD LEADERS CONTINUING TO WRESTLE WITH HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

IN THE WAKE OF PARIS AND OTHER TERRORIST ATTACKS, MANY ISLAMIC MINORITIES IN EUROPE AND THE U.S. ARE REPORTING A RISING BACKLASH AGAINST THEM.

IN RESPONSE, MUSLIMS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE LAUNCHED A NOT IN MY NAME CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM.

HERE IN THE U.S., SEVERAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS CRITICIZED GOP CANDIDATES FOR ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS ACCUSED DONALD TRUMP AND OTHERS OF "STOKING ISLAMOPHOBIA."

THIS WEEK, THE 10,000 MEMBER AMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN.

AT THEIR ANNUAL MEETING IN ATLANTA, THE RELIGION SCHOLARS CALLED ON ALL AMERICANS TO REJECT DIVISIVE SPEECH ABOUT MUSLIMS.

>> THERE'S ALREADY TALKS ABOUT TRACKING FOLKS.

AND ANYBODY WITH ANY HISTORICAL MEMORY WILL BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

IF WE'RE STARTING MONITORING WHO IS THE RIGHT KIND OF RELIGIOUS INSIDER, BAD THINGS HAPPEN.

>>> MEANWHILE, RELIGIOUS GROUPS ACROSS THE THEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL SPECTRUM CONTINUED URGING POLITICIANS NOT TO BLOCK SYRIAN REFUGEES FROM COMING TO THE U.S. AT A SPECIAL BRIEFING ON CAPITOL HILL THIS WEEK, A BROAD RANGE OF FAITH LEADERS SAID THE DEBATE OVER REFUGEES HAS DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS.

>> WE ARE SENDING A SIGNAL THAT WE ARE NOT PART OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY, WE'RE NOT TAKING LEADERSHIP, AND IT LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO TELL THOSE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION TO KEEP RECEIVING REFUGEES OR TO TELL OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO KEEP RECEIVING REFUGEES, AND THEN WE HAVE A MAJOR CRISIS ON OUR HANDS.

>>> SECURITY HAS BEEN HEIGHTENED FOR POPE FRANCIS' VISIT TO AFRICA THIS WEEK.

THE POPE IS TRAVELING TO KENYA, UGANDA AND THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC.

DURING THE VISIT, FRANCIS IS EMPHASIZING PEACE AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE.

IN A SPECIAL VIDEO MESSAGE, HE URGED AFRICANS TO FOSTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT.

>>> A CONTROVERSIAL TRIAL OVER THE PUBLICATION OF LEAKED DOCUMENTS BEGAN AT THE VATICAN THIS WEEK.

AMONG THOSE ON TRIAL ARE TWO ITALIAN JOURNALISTS.

THAT HAS SPARKED OUTRAGE AMONG HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS WHO SAY IT'S A VIOLATION OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

IN RECENTLY RELEASED BOOKS, THE REPORTERS USED THE CONFIDENTIAL CHURCH DOCUMENTS TO ALLEGE FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT.

THEY FACE UP TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

>>> A UNITED NATIONS SUMMIT GETS UNDERWAY IN PARIS THIS COMING WEEK WITH THE GOAL OF PRODUCING AN INTERNATIONAL ACCORD TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.

THIS SUMMER, I TRAVELED TO THE BAYOUS OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, WHERE FAITH-BASED ACTIVISTS ARE TRYING TO PUT POPE FRANCIS' WORDS ON THE ENVIRONMENT INTO ACTION.

THEY ARE HELPING VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES THEY SAY ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT NOT ALL PEOPLE OF FAITH AGREE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS AN URGENT CRISIS.

DEEP IN THE BAYOUS OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, RESIDENTS HAVE LITTLE DOUBT ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WE LIVE HERE, SO WE SEE IT HAPPENING.

WE SEE THE LAND SINKING, SEA LEVEL RISE, WE SEE IT ALL.

>> THERESA DARDAR IS PART OF A SMALL NATIVE AMERICAN FISHING COMMUNITY WHOSE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN HERE FOR GENERATIONS.

ON A BOAT RIDE DOWN THE BAYOU, SHE SHOWS ME WHERE HER GRANDFATHER LIVED.

>> THIS USED TO BE FULL OF TREES, AND THEY USED TO HAVE A LOT OF CATTLE HERE.

>> TODAY, WATER HAS OVERTAKEN MUCH OF THE MARSHLAND, AND LITTLE CAN GROW HERE.

THE AREA IS LITTERED WITH WHAT DARDAR CALLS GHOST TREES.

>> GHOST TREES OR SKELETONS.

EVERYTHING AROUND HERE IS DEAD.

>> MOST SCIENTISTS WHO STUDY THIS AREA SAY CHANGES IN CLIMATE FUELED BY GROWING AMOUNTS OF CARBON EMISSIONS HAVE LED TO RISING SEA LEVELS.

THAT HAS ACCELERATED COASTAL EROSION AND GENERATED MORE SEVERE FLOODING.

AND THAT IN TURN HAS DEPOSITED SALT AND OTHER TOXINS THAT ARE KILLING VEGETATION AND WATER LIFE.

EXTRACTING OIL HAS FURTHER WEAKENED THE MARSHES.

MANY AREAS HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH LITTLE PROTECTION FROM STORM SURGES.

AND WITH EVERY STORM, MORE LAND DISAPPEARS.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, SINCE 1932, SOUTH LOUISIANA HAS LOST AN AREA OF COASTAL WETLANDS AS LARGE AS THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

AND IT CONTINUES TO LOSE THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE FOOTBALL FIELD OF COAST EVERY HOUR.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT'S UNFORTUNATELY GOING UNDER WATER.

>> KRISTINA PETERSON IS A PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR, PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS, AND COORDINATOR OF THE INTERFAITH WETLANDS THEOLOGICAL PROJECT.

SHE SAYS THESE ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS HAVE ALREADY DISPLACED MANY IN VULNERABLE NATIVE AMERICAN AND CAJUN COMMUNITIES.

>> AS FOLKS ARE FORCED OUT BECAUSE HOMES KEEP RECEIVING WATER OR THEY CAN NO LONGER GET TO THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF THE WATER, THEY ARE FORCED TO MOVE TO OTHER LOCATIONS, WHICH THEN BREAKS THAT WHOLE NETWORK THAT IS SO CLOSE-KNIT.

>> PEOPLE OF FAITH ACROSS THE SPECTRUM HAVE BEEN INCREASINGLY MAKING CLIMATE CHANGE A TOP PRIORITY.

MANY SAY THE TEACHINGS OF THEIR FAITH INFORM THEIR CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

POPE FRANCIS EMPHASIZES THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES ON POOR AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND IS ISSUING A TWO-FOLD MORAL CHALLENGE -- CARE FOR CREATION AND CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE POOR AND HOW DO WE EXERCISE BOTH DOMINION AND STEWARDSHIP OVER CREATION?

HOW DO WE KEEP THOSE IN A BALANCE FOR THE GOOD OF ALL, RECOGNIZING THAT THE POOR RIGHT NOW ARE ALREADY BEING AFFECTED?

>> MANY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS ARE THRILLED TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THIS POPULAR POPE.

LONNIE ELLIS IS A LAY FRANCISCAN AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC CLIMATE COVENANT.

>> HE'S GIVING MORAL GUIDANCE, NOT SCIENTIFIC GUIDANCE, NOT POLITICAL ADVICE, BUT MORAL GUIDANCE OF HOW WE SHOULD ALL THINK ABOUT OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS WHO ARE VULNERABLE ON THIS ISSUE.

>> BUT THERE IS ALSO PUSHBACK, PARTICULARLY FROM SOME CONSERVATIVE CATHOLICS WHO BELIEVE CONCERNS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE ARE OVERBLOWN.

MARC MORANO PUBLISHES "CLIMATE DEPOT," A WEBSITE THAT IS SKEPTICAL OF MANY WARNINGS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING.

>> CATHOLICS IN AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD MIGHT BE PUZZLED, WITH ALL THE OTHER ISSUES GOING ON, WHETHER IT'S PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS, WHETHER IT'S SEVERE POVERTY ISSUES, WHETHER IT'S CRISIS IN FAITH, PRIEST SHORTAGES, WARS, CONFLICTS -- WHY IS THE VATICAN SPENDING SO MUCH CAPITAL ON GLOBAL WARMING?

THAT'S GOING TO BE A HEAD SCRATCHER.

>> IN SOUTH LOUISIANA, ISLE DE JEAN CHARLES IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE PLACES AT THE MOST RISK FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

82-YEAR-OLD CATHOLIC PRIEST FATHER ROCH NAQUIN WAS BORN HERE AND LIVES IN HIS FAMILY HOME.

IT WAS BUILT ON TWO FOOT HIGH BLOCKS IN THE 1950s.

AFTER FLOODING FROM HURRICANE JUAN IN 1985, NAQUIN WENT THROUGH THE VERY COSTLY PROCESS OF RAISING THE HOUSE ON EIGHT FOOT BLOCKS.

BUT THEN IN 2002, WITH HURRICANE LILI, THE HOUSE FLOODED AGAIN.

>> THEN I MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO RAISE IT UP TO THE PRESENT LEVEL, 11 FEET UP IN THE AIR.

>> FROM HIS 11 FOOT HIGH DECK, NAQUIN SEES DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE SURROUNDINGS.

>> AS YOU LOOK NOW, YOU SEE WATER ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WHEN I WAS SMALL, IT WAS ALL GOOD TRAPPING LAND.

PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME MANY TIMES, "DO YOU PLAN TO STAY HERE?"

AND I SAY, "WELL, YEAH, WHERE YOU GOING TO GO?"

>> PRETTY SOON, IT WON'T BE A CHOICE.

>> ALBERT NAQUIN IS TRIBAL CHIEF OF THE AREA.

HE SAYS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, HIS COMMUNITY HAS DIMINISHED BY MORE THAN HALF.

>> WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT, THEY'RE GOING.

THE ONES THAT ARE LIVING THERE ARE THE HARDCORE, PLUS THEY HAVE A HOME TO LIVE IN.

THE OTHERS MOSTLY LOST THEIR HOMES DURING THE HURRICANES.

>> KRISTINA PETERSEN SAYS HER CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT COMES DIRECTLY FROM HER FAITH.

>> GOD TAKES EXTREME PLEASURE IN WHAT THERE IS AROUND US IN CREATION.

AND WHEN WE DESTROY IT, I CAN'T IMAGINE THE PAIN THAT THAT CAUSES GOD.

>> PETERSON HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH TRADITIONAL BAYOU COMMUNITIES HERE.

SHE WORKS FOR POLICIES THAT WILL ADDRESS THE DAMAGE HUMAN ACTIVITIES DO TO THE COASTAL WETLANDS.

SHE BELIEVES RESTORATION IS POSSIBLE IN MANY AREAS.

>> IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS WILL OF THE PEOPLE TO SAY, "THIS IS IMPORTANT.

WE NEED TO SAVE THIS PLACE NOT ONLY FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT FOR GOD'S CREATION."

>> BUT PETERSON SAYS IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE FOR SOME PLACES.

SHE AND CHIEF ALBERT ARE LOBBYING FOR MONEY AND LAND TO RELOCATE HIS ENTIRE COMMUNITY FURTHER INLAND.

>> IT'S CHEAPER TO PUT A NEW COMMUNITY TOGETHER THEN IT IS TO TRY AND RESTORE IT.

JUST GIVE US THAT COMMUNITY THAT WE NEED AND FROM THERE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE IT ON OUR OWN.

>> BISHOP SHELTON FABRE SAYS HIS DIOCESE OF HOUMA-THIBODEAUX IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL HELP.

>> THE CHURCH IS STILL THERE EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MOVING NORTH.

THE CHURCH IS THERE TO HELP THOSE WHO REMAIN, AND THOSE WHO MOVE, THE CHURCH IS ALSO PRESENT WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

>> SINCE 2005, CATHOLIC CHARITIES IN THE DIOCESE HAS SPENT $7.5 MILLION HELPING PEOPLE DEAL WITH THE CRISIS.

>> WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF HELPING PEOPLE TO TRY TO STAY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN.

>> GORMAN SAYS IT'S PART OF THEIR BIBLICAL MANDATE.

>> WE CALL IT THE MATTHEW 25 PROGRAM AFTER THE PASSAGE FROM MATTHEW.

WE'RE CALLED ON TO SHELTER THE HOMELESS, FEED THE HUNGRY, CARE FOR THE SICK.

>> LIKE POPE FRANCIS, GORMAN ASSERTS THAT ANOTHER WAY TO HELP THE NEEDY IS TO PUSH FOR CHANGES AT THE INDIVIDUAL AND POLICY LEVELS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO BE ADVOCATES, WE HAVE TO PRACTICE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE HAVE TO ORGANIZE.

AND EDUCATE.

>> BUT THIS MAKES SOME CATHOLICS UNCOMFORTABLE.

MARC MORANO IS PART OF A COALITION THAT WENT TO ROME IN APRIL URGING THE VATICAN NOT TO RELY ONLY ON SCIENTISTS WHO TAKE WHAT THEY CALL AN ALARMIST, EXTREMIST POSITION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> NONE OF THE PREDICTIONS, THE DIRE PREDICTIONS THEY MADE SO FAR ARE COMING TRUE.

THEY'RE FAILING TO COME TRUE.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE POPE IS NOT HEARING.

HE'S ONLY HEARING ONE VIEW.

CARBON-BASED ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IS THE BEST FRIEND FOR POOR PEOPLE AND WOULD GIVE THEM THE BEST CHANCE AT LIFE.

>> MORANO IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VATICAN BEING TOO CLOSELY TIED TO THE UNITED NATION'S CLIMATE AGENDA.

>> ON MANY ISSUES FROM ABORTION, EUTHANASIA, OVERPOPULATION CONCERNS, THERE'S GOING TO BE MASSIVE CONFLICTS WITH CATHOLIC TEACHINGS.

AND I THINK THE POPE HAS GOT TO -- AND THE VATICAN, HAS TO THINK THIS THROUGH BETTER.

>> THE CHURCH WORKS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMILAR AGENDAS FOR SPECIFIC ISSUES.

SO JUST BECAUSE THE CHURCH HAS AN OBSERVER AT THE U.N.

DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE VATICAN IS ENDORSING EVERYTHING THE U.N.

DOES.

>> GORMAN TELLS SKEPTICS THE CHURCH MUST BE PRUDENT IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> YOU CAN DISAGREE ALL YOU WANT, BUT YOU'VE SEEN THE EFFECTS AND WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION FIRST TO RESPOND TO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF PEOPLE, BUT WE ALSO, WITH THE VIRTUE OF PRUDENCE, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ASSUME THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND THEREFORE TAKE STEPS TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> SOME CATHOLICS HOPE FRANCIS' STRONG STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE WILL ULTIMATELY STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH.

>> I THINK COMING AT IT WITH A HOPEFUL, FAITHFUL MESSAGE IS STARTING NEW KINDS OF CONVERSATIONS THAT IS MOVING PAST SOME OF OUR DEADLOCK THAT WE'VE HAD BEFORE.

>> I THINK LIFTING IT UP AT THIS TIME HAS CHALLENGED ME TO ALSO SAY, "IN WHAT WAYS AM I TAKING CREATION FOR GRANTED?

IN WHAT WAYS AM I MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?

OR NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT MY ACTIONS ARE COMPLETELY DOING."

>> AND IN HERE IN THE BAYOUS, THERE IS HOPE THE STATEMENT WILL LEAD TO TANGIBLE CHANGE.

>> MAYBE PEOPLE WILL LISTEN TO HIM.

IF NOTHING IS REVERSED?

I SEE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MOTHER EARTH.

A LOT OF DAMAGE.

♪♪ >>> A NEW REPORT BY THE CHRISTIAN ADVOCACY GROUP BREAD FOR THE WORLD SAYS HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY ADDED $160 BILLION TO U.S. HEALTHCARE COSTS LAST YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, AS MANY AS 50 MILLION PEOPLE, ONE IN SIX AMERICANS, LIVE IN HUNGER OR LACK ADEQUATE ACCESS TO FOOD.

THAT HAS DEVASTATING HEALTH CONSEQUENCES, PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN.

>> THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE IN THE UNITED STATES IS WAY HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY OF ROUGHLY OUR INCOME LEVEL.

IT IS LIKE A MASSIVE TERRORIST ATTACK.

>>> THE SEASON BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND DECEMBER 31st IS TRADITIONALLY THE MOST ACTIVE TIME OF THE YEAR FOR CHARITABLE GIVING.

BUT CAN SOME FORMS OF CHARITY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD?

LUCKY SEVERSON TALKS WITH ROBERT LUPTON, A PRESBYTERIAN PSYCHOLOGIST IN ATLANTA, WHO BELIEVES THE BEST WAY TO FIGHT POVERTY IS TO HELP THE POOR HELP THEMSELVES.

>> SHELL STAFFORD SITS ON HER FRONT PORCH IN THE EAST LAKE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ATLANTA AND WATCHES THE WORLD GO BY.

SHE'S SEEN A LOT SINCE SHE MOVED HERE AS A KID.

>> I TOLD A COUPLE OF SCHOOL FRIENDS, "YEAH, WE'RE MOVING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD," AND THEY SAID, "WHERE YOU MOVING TO?"

I SAID, "EAST LAKE."

THEY SCARED ME SO BAD.

"OH, MY GOD, YOU'RE GOING TO GET KILLED."

>> IT WAS VERY ROUGH.

IT WAS HIGH CRIME AREA THAT WE MOVED INTO.

>> THAT WAS OVER 30 YEARS AGO.

BOB LUPTON, A PSYCHOLOGIST AND AN ELDER IN HIS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MOVED HIS FAMILY FROM A VERY COMFY SUBURBAN HOME INTO THE HEART OF SOUTH ATLANTA.

IT WAS NOT A MOVE UP.

>> YOU CAN'T WORK WITH STRUGGLING FAMILIES VERY EFFECTIVELY UNLESS YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THE ENVIRONMENT THAT IMPACTS ON THEM EVERY TIME THEY STEP OUT OF THE DOOR.

>> THE VERY FIRST CHRISTMAS HE WAS THERE TO WATCH PARENTS HAND OUT GIFTS THAT HAD BEEN DONATED BY HIS CHURCH GROUP.

>> AND THAT'S WHEN I SAW SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY SHOCKING TO ME.

OF COURSE, THE MOMS WERE GRACIOUS, A LITTLE EMBARRASSED, BUT IF THERE WAS A FATHER IN A HOUSEHOLD, HE JUST DISAPPEARED.

HE WAS GONE OUT THE BACK DOOR.

AND IT DAWNED ON ME WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS THESE PARENTS WERE BEING EXPOSED FOR THEIR INABILITY TO PROVIDE IN FRONT OF THEIR OWN KIDS.

AND THE MOMS WOULD ENDURE THAT INDIGNITY FOR THE SAKE OF THE KIDS, BUT IT'S JUST MORE THAN A FATHER'S PRIDE COULD HANDLE.

>> AND SO THE NEXT YEAR, HE ASKED DONORS TO BRING THE GIFTS UNWRAPPED, AND THEY'D SET UP A LITTLE TOY STORE WITH YARD SALE PRICES.

NOTHING FOR FREE.

>> ONE THING WE LEARNED WAS PARENTS WOULD A WHOLE LOT RATHER WORK TO EARN TO PURCHASE THE TOYS THEY KNEW WOULD DELIGHT THEIR KIDS AT CHRISTMAS THAN THEY WOULD STAND IN THE FREE TOY LINES WITH THEIR PROOF OF POVERTY AND TAKE GIFTS THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD PURCHASED FOR THEM.

>> THE NOTION THAT JUST GIVING CHARITY AWAY OFTEN ENDS UP DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD HAS BECOME LUPTON'S MISSION, AND IT SEEMS TO BE GAINING CONVERTS HERE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> IS THAT FOR HERE OR TO GO?

>> TO GO.

>> THE COMMUNITY GROUNDS COFFEE SHOP IS AN EXAMPLE OF LUPTON'S PHILOSOPHY AT WORK.

THE COFFEE IS SUBSIDIZED BY DONORS.

IT'S NOT FREE, BUT IT'S VERY GOOD, AND IT'S IN THE HEART OF SOUTH ATLANTA, WHERE THERE WAS NO COFFEE SHOP BEFORE.

COMMUNITY GROUNDS IS CONNECTED TO THE CARVER NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET.

THE GROCERIES AREN'T FREE, THEY'RE SUBSIDIZED, AND BEFORE THE MARKET WAS HERE, IT COULD TAKE TAIYANNA SIMS TWO OR THREE HOURS ROUND TRIP BY BUS TO GET TO THE CLOSEST SUPERMARKET.

>> IT WAS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE JUST TO GO TO ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET GROCERIES WHEN YOU COULDN'T GET THEM HERE, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUPERMARKET HERE.

>> THERE HAVE NOT BEEN A LOT OF NEW BUSINESSES IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, SO WE DON'T WANT TO OPEN A FOOD PANTRY.

WE WANT TO OPEN A GROCERY STORE.

>> KATIE DELP IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LUPTON'S MINISTRY, NOW CALLED FOCUSED COMMUNITY STRATEGIES, OR FCS.

>> OUR MINISTRY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT, AS OPPOSED TO JUST RELIEF.

WE WANT TO END POVERTY MORE THAN JUST RELIEVE PEOPLE FROM THE PAIN OF POVERTY.

SO WE WANT TO CHANGE COMMUNITIES.

>> YOU DON'T MOVE ANYBODY OUT OF POVERTY BY GIVING THEM A HOUSE.

>> JIM WEHNER WAS A PASTOR FOR NINE YEARS, FRUSTRATED THAT SO MANY OF HIS PARISHIONERS WERE TRAPPED IN POVERTY.

SO HE JOINED FCS, AND NOW HE HELPS TURN EMPTY HOUSES INTO AFFORDABLE HOMES.

HE SAYS THAT COULD BE AN IMPORTANT ANSWER TO THE PROBLEMS OF INNER-CITY NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> I CERTAINLY THINK IT'S THE ANSWER FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I THINK IT WILL BE THE ANSWER FOR THE NEXT NEIGHBORHOODS WE TAKE ON.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME CORE PRINCIPALS THAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOODS COULD USE.

>> FOR INSTANCE, THESE HOUSES AREN'T REFURBISHED ONLY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

THEY'RE PART OF A PLAN TO RE-NEIGHBOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SO RE-NEIGHBORING, WHAT WE MEAN BY THAT IS, BRINGING FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT TRADITIONALLY LIVE IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS -- A LOT OF TIMES, THAT MEANS FAMILIES OF MEANS -- TO COME INTO COMMUNITIES TO CREATE A MIXED-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD, BECAUSE WE NEED A DIVERSE INCOME BASE IN ORDER FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO BE REVITALIZED.

>> KATIE AND HER FAMILY ARE AN EXAMPLE OF RE-NEIGHBORING.

THEY MOVED HERE.

DID YOU MOVE INTO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> I DID.

>> HOW'S THAT BEEN?

>> IT'S BEEN GOOD.

>> HOW SO?

>> WE'VE LIVED HERE FOR 14 YEARS NOW, AND IT HAS JUST BEEN A REAL GIFT TO OUR FAMILY.

WE'RE ABLE TO RAISE OUR KIDS IN A PLACE OF DIVERSITY.

>> CARVER WITH THE VICTORY.

>> AND TANISHA CORPORAL IS ABLE TO RAISE HER SON, CAIRO, IN A REAL HOME IN A REAL NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH THE HELP OF A SUBSIDIZED MORTGAGE.

SHE WORKS AT AN ATLANTA CHARTER SCHOOL, BUT COULDN'T AFFORD A CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE.

SHE SAYS SHE'S EXPERIENCED TRADITIONAL CHARITY FIRST HAND.

>> I'VE WORKED FOR NONPROFIT COMMUNITIES AND DONE CASE MANAGEMENT, AND IT'S KIND OF A HANDOUT INSTEAD OF A HAND UP.

>> I THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WAY A COMMUNITY CAN BE TURNED AROUND.

NOT ONLY SOUTH ATLANTA THAT WE'RE IN NOW, BUT FOUR OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE'VE SEEN DRAMATIC CHANGES IN OVER THE PAST THREE, FOUR DECADES.

>> ONE OF THE MOST STRIKING ACCOMPLISHMENTS LUPTON HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN HAS BEEN THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE COMMUNITY SURROUNDING THE ONCE-FAMOUS EAST LAKE COUNTRY CLUB.

IT WAS THE HOME COURSE OF BOBBY JONES, PERHAPS THE GREATEST AMATEUR GOLFER OF ALL TIME.

THEN THE MONEY MOVED TO NORTH ATLANTA, AND THE GOVERNMENT SURROUNDED THE COURSE WITH LOW-INCOME HOUSING.

>> IT WAS LIKE THE DEATH KNELL FOR THE COMMUNITY -- 650 UNITS OF POORLY MANAGED PUBLIC HOUSING, AND IT BECAME A CANCER.

>> AND THEN A DEVELOPER SAID HE WOULD REFURBISH BOBBY JONES'S CLUB AND GET HIGH ROLLERS TO JOIN UP AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE EAST LAKE COMMUNITY.

COULD LUPTON HELP?

>> THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF STARTING TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, BUY CRACK HOUSES -- >> AND WITH SOME GOVERNMENT HELP, REBUILD A MIXED-INCOME, NOT A LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY.

>> THAT WAS A VERY EXCITING -- VERY COMPLICATED, BUT VERY EXCITING TRANSFORMATION THAT ACTUALLY RESHAPED HISTORY.

>> EAST LAKE IS NOW THE HOME OF A MAJOR PGA TOURNAMENT AND THE MIXED-INCOME COMMUNITY THAT IS HOME TO SHELL STAFFORD.

THERE'S SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SHELL.

SHE BROUGHT UP SIX KIDS BY HERSELF.

WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG, SHE GOT ON HER KNEES AND PRAYED FOR SOME HELP IN RAISING THEM.

>> ALL I WANT IS FOR EVERY LAST ONE OF MY KIDS TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

BECAUSE THE PERCENTAGE OF BLACK CHILDREN JUST DROPPING OUT IS SO HIGH.

I SAID, "I DON'T WANT TWO TO GRADUATE.

I DON'T WANT ONE.

I WANT ALL."

>> ALL SIX OF SHELL'S KIDS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

FIVE OUT OF SIX GRADUATED FROM OR ARE STILL IN COLLEGE.

>> THE MISTAKE THAT WE MAKE IS THAT WE THINK THAT FOLKS THAT CAN'T PULL THEIR FULL WEIGHT CAN'T PULL ANY WEIGHT.

>> OVER THE YEARS, LUPTON HAS HAD HIS CRITICS.

>> MOST OF THE NEGATIVE PUSHBACK THAT I GET ARE FROM CHURCHES WHO HAVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, CLOTHES CLOSETS, FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS THAT THE VOLUNTEERS IN THE CHURCH ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WORKING IN, AND THEY DO THAT FROM A GOOD PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS, SO IT'S RIGHTLY MOTIVATED.

BUT FOR THEM TO THINK THAT THIS GOOD SERVICE THEY'RE PROVIDING IS HURTFUL IS A HARD MESSAGE.

>> HE SAYS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN ONE-WAY GIVING IS THE ONLY WAY -- WHEN SOMEONE IS HUNGRY, OR IN TIMES OF CRISIS, LIKE KATRINA.

BUT AFTER THE CRISIS IS OVER, LUPTON BELIEVES THE ONE-WAY GIVING NEEDS TO STOP AND THE REBUILDING OF LIVES WITH DIGNITY NEEDS TO BEGIN.

>> I FIND WITHIN THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF MY NEIGHBORS THAT ARE LOW-INCOME A REAL DESIRE TO BE USEFUL, TO BE PRODUCTIVE, AND IF WE CAN MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS, DECENT JOBS THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

>> HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL ABOUT HUMAN NATURE?

>> I THINK THERE'S A BASIC STAMP OF THE DIVINE THAT'S IN ALL OF US, AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT.

I LOOK FOR THAT.

SO MAYBE IT'S IN WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THAT YOU FIND.

>> LUPTON SAYS HIS BOOK TOXIC CHARITY HAS GONE VIRAL, STARTING DISCUSSIONS IN CHURCHES, NONPROFITS AND FOUNDATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

HIS SPEAKING SCHEDULE CAN ATTEST TO THAT.

>> WE HAVE FCS URBAN MINISTRIES IN THE BUILDING, AND WE HAVE A CATCH.

OKAY, GOLDILOCKS.

WE SEE YOU, BOO.

>> FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN SOUTH ATLANTA.

>>> IN GREAT BRITAIN THIS WEEK, A BIG FLAP OVER THE LORD'S PRAYER.

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND CREATED A SPECIAL VIDEO AD HIGHLIGHTING THE FAMOUS BIBLICAL PRAYER OF JESUS AND URGING PEOPLE TO JUST PRAY.

THE CHURCH WANTED TO RUN THE AD IN THEATERS SHOWING THE NEW "STAR WARS" FILM THAT OPENS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

BUT THE COMPANY THAT HANDLES ADVERTISING FOR MAJOR CINEMA CHAINS IN THE UK TURNED IT DOWN, SAYING IT WOULD BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME MOVIEGOERS.

THAT HAS SET OFF A VIGOROUS INTERNATIONAL DEBATE.

>>> FINALLY ON OUR CALENDAR, WESTERN CHRISTIANS BEGIN OBSERVING ADVENT, A SEASON OF REFLECTION AND PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS.

>>> AND THANKSGIVING MAY BE OVER, BUT FOR MOST AMERICANS, A TIME FOR BEING THANKFUL ISN'T.

ACCORDING TO THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, A LARGE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS, ALMOST 80%, SAY THEY REGULARLY FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF GRATITUDE.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M KIM LAWTON.

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AS WE LEAVE YOU, MORE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND'S AD FOR PRAYER.

>> FOR THYNE IS THE KINGDOM AND POWER AND GLORY FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN.

>> AMEN.

WE'RE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY.