Does Christian charity come with a price tag?

[chris_brown207]

Christian charity organizations are one positive aspect of religion in our country. They contribute many wonderful things to the people of this nation, and across the world. Often when confronted with the evil that people do in the name of religion, Christians will point to the charitable acts of Christian organizations as a counter.

However, what if those charitable acts come with an unspoken price? There have been recent reports of Christian charities demanding access in exchange for their help, and the opportunity (whether wanted or not) to preach to and attempt to convert those they are giving to.

Is this the work of fringe groups, or does all Christian charity come with the same unwritten requirements?

Is this true charity if it comes with a price tag?

Are Christian groups doing more harm than good by trying to preach to those they are giving to, whether wanted or not?

I offer recent cases of such occurring:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100531/ap_ ... _suspended

http://lafiga.firedoglake.com/2010/02/2 ... s-service/

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2010/02/0 ... evangelism

[Flail]

If Christian television is any indication, selling indulgences has made a startling comeback. When the economy goes south and the church needs money to support indoctrination, the concept of 'giving money to get money' advances. Weird holy men preach that if you just give what you have to the church, God will answer all your prayers. If this is not accomplished, one must wate and give more and pray more; sad commentary on the human condidition indeed.

Imagine what good could be accomplished if charity were given for charity sake to real charitable institutions instead of those which foster religious indoctrination while avoiding taxes, tax dollars that could actually be used to help the poor and improve roads,schools and hospitals etc. When charity is given to a church in expectation of blessings, it is no longer charity, but rather a false contract with a concocted God.

[Lux]

Is this the work of fringe groups, or does all Christian charity come with the same unwritten requirements?

I don't think all christian charity is like this. I have seen wonderful, selfless acts of charity by christians. I have also seen churches use charity as propaganda, of course. I wouldn't know what happens more often.

The "attack the voodoo followers!" thing seems like something extremists would do, more than the general attitude of the christian community. At least, I sincerely hope so.

Is this true charity if it comes with a price tag?

No. What it suggests is that they do it because it gives them a benefit, or it serves their purpose, which is not by any means what charity is supposed to be about.

Are Christian groups doing more harm than good by trying to preach to those they are giving to, whether wanted or not?

I wouldn't go as far as saying they are doing more harm than good. It's not like they are holding water and medicine hostage, and only give them to those who convert.
Trust me, if I had a kid who needed food, and my sitting through a 2 hour sermon would provide him that food, I'd do it and I'd think I got the better end of the deal.

[Tryit]

Is this the work of fringe groups, or does all Christian charity come with the same unwritten requirements?

I don't think all christian charity is like this. I have seen wonderful, selfless acts of charity by christians. I have also seen churches use charity as propaganda, of course. I wouldn't know what happens more often.

The "attack the voodoo followers!" thing seems like something extremists would do, more than the general attitude of the christian community. At least, I sincerely hope so.

Is this true charity if it comes with a price tag?

No. What it suggests is that they do it because it gives them a benefit, or it serves their purpose, which is not by any means what charity is supposed to be about.

Are Christian groups doing more harm than good by trying to preach to those they are giving to, whether wanted or not?

I wouldn't go as far as saying they are doing more harm than good. It's not like they are holding water and medicine hostage, and only give them to those who convert.
Trust me, if I had a kid who needed food, and my sitting through a 2 hour sermon would provide him that food, I'd do it and I'd think I got the better end of the deal.

I agree, you have your cranks and your cracks in every religion. You also have your reasonable people to. Who cares if they get preached to or not. It don't hurt anybody. Its kinda like those timeshare things. They send you on a "free" trip but first you have to listen to hours of high pressure garbage.

[chris_brown207]

Are Christian groups doing more harm than good by trying to preach to those they are giving to, whether wanted or not?

I wouldn't go as far as saying they are doing more harm than good. It's not like they are holding water and medicine hostage, and only give them to those who convert.
Trust me, if I had a kid who needed food, and my sitting through a 2 hour sermon would provide him that food, I'd do it and I'd think I got the better end of the deal.

Good point. I definitely would too if it came down to that. But isn't this looking at it only from our perspective here in the US?

What about the perspective of many Muslims out there who feel that this war is about Christians attacking Muslims... and that Christian preaching is just another attempt to erase Islam from the face of the Earth? Are they feeding into extremism?

[Lux]

Good point. I definitely would too if it came down to that. But isn't this looking at it only from our perspective here in the US?

On the contrary, I think saying that they do more harm than good is looking at it only from our perspective.
Those of us who are lucky enough not to need charity can't appreciate just how valuable it is, even when it comes with an agenda.

I think it comes down to how hardcore their "preaching" is. If a christian missionary talks about the Bible to the people he or she helps sometimes, it's not the most honorable way to go, but there's not much harm done. They listen to the preaching, get their supplies and decide whether they like christianity or not.
BUT, breaking into a worshiping ceremony and encouraging violence is way over the line, it's extremely disrespectful. And to think they are using missionary work as an excuse to crash religious rituals, that's just awful.

What about the perspective of many Muslims out there who feel that this war is about Christians attacking Muslims... and that Christian preaching is just another attempt to erase Islam from the face of the Earth? Are they feeding into extremism?

Personally, I don't think the war has any religious motives.
That being said, I don't think they had any business preaching when they were supposedly there to help those in need.

[chris_brown207]

Those of us who are lucky enough not to need charity can't appreciate just how valuable it is, even when it comes with an agenda.

I agree with you to a point. I am an Agnostic Atheist, and if I were truly down on my luck - I would have no trouble accepting a handout, even if it came with the condition of being preached to. However, that is me.

There are those who have grudges going back generations against the "Christian Nations" and "Zionists" (their characterization, not mine) that they have been at war with. In many cases, they take the preaching as more then an insult to their own religion - they take it as a threat to their way of life. (I have served 15 years in the military, and lived 2 years in the Middle East).

What about the perspective of many Muslims out there who feel that this war is about Christians attacking Muslims... and that Christian preaching is just another attempt to erase Islam from the face of the Earth? Are they feeding into extremism?

Personally, I don't think the war has any religious motives. That being said, I don't think they had any business preaching when they were supposedly there to help those in need.

I don't think this war has any religious motives either... on OUR part that is. (I think our motives have more to do with the oil that runs through those areas... but an entirely different topic!)

However, the Muslims we fight feel entirely differently. In a lot of ways, religion is their only motivation for this war.

An easy way to fix to this problem would be for the Christian groups to be honest about their intentions... "Hey, we offer help, and all we ask in return is to listen to us speak about Christianity" - that way those receiving aid can make their own choice.

In Afghanistan though, aid groups are told outright that preaching of any kind is forbidden.

[Lux]

There are those who have grudges going back generations against the "Christian Nations" and "Zionists" (their characterization, not mine) that they have been at war with. In many cases, they take the preaching as more then an insult to their own religion - they take it as a threat to their way of life. (I have served 15 years in the military, and lived 2 years in the Middle East).

I understand. However, they have the choice not to listen to the preaching, isn't that right? If you tell me the volunteers refuse to help those who don't listen to it, that's a bird of a different colour. That would be very far from the concept of charity, and closer to cruelty.

I don't think this war has any religious motives either... on OUR part that is. (I think our motives have more to do with the oil that runs through those areas... but an entirely different topic!)

I agree with you.

However, the Muslims we fight feel entirely differently. In a lot of ways, religion is their only motivation for this war.

Well, yes and no. Maybe for the people, but the rulers always have their very own reasons that they don't always disclose.

An easy way to fix to this problem would be for the Christian groups to be honest about their intentions... "Hey, we offer help, and all we ask in return is to listen to us speak about Christianity" - that way those receiving aid can make their own choice.

Don't they have the choice now? When they realize the price of their "charity" they can just walk away, right?
In the case of the violent extremists, they should be kicked out of the countries they are working in.

In Afghanistan though, aid groups are told outright that preaching of any kind is forbidden.

That's reasonable, if you ask me.

[Misty]

Some Christian charities have the carrot and stick approach, instead of letting their deeds speak for themselves, they try to convert the recipients, which is wrong especially if they have their own faith.

[JohnnyJersey]

I'll be interested in what irreligious people think about religious charities when I start seeing institutions like "Freethinkers General Hospital" or "Secular Humanists Rehab Center" or "American Atheists Soup Kitchen" or anything of that sort.

Until then, I don't give a flying fig what a bunch of irreligious, over-critical do-nothings with nothing better to do than criticize those who actually do something think about any religious charities.