I guess this is the right place to put this. Help support good causes!

Charity sites:

1. The Hunger Site - "Your click on the "Give Free Food" button funds food for the hungry, paid for by site sponsors whose ads appear after you click and provided to people in need around the world through the efforts of Mercy Corps and America's Second Harvest."

Link - www.thehungersite.com

2. Animal Rescue - "The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need -- providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the US every year."

Link - www.theanimalrescuesite.com

3. The Rainforest Site - "For the preservation of endangered rainforest"

Link - www.therainforestsite.com

Jesus said NOT to give to charity. I believe he knew it was better to create opportunity and develope compassion for the poor. He knew those who distibute donated money take control of the distribution, and make biased decisions which enslave people who otherwise need to develope a usefulness.

Ie. Give a man a fish each day and you have a dependent; teach a man to fish and he can take care of himself.

Organizations are well aware of how they subtly rob the dignity and self respect of those who have been disenfranchised. Structure, such as the bureaucratic type that runs most charities, does not draw the most charitable or the most serving people... structure draws those who desire to build self-esteem through public exposure and socially accepted self-perceived generosity.

I'm sure Jesus would have approved of letting people starve. What was that quote? "Be the change you want to see in the world"? Without help nothing will progress. Jesus also said - "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

Charity and helping others (animals or people!) is a big part of Christianity - "Sister's of Mercy" ring any bells?

Correct me if wrong, but didnt Jesus give away fish and bread to feed 5000?

In a less sarcastic tone, you've missed the point, altho not by far. I believe Jesus tried to say, "there is dignity and worth in being poor". Indeed the Roman Catholic tradition holds a part of lent (which ends tomorrow) is about feeling solidarity in the poor. Jesus didn't say, "don't help the poor". From from it. The message was more, 'feel solidarity and help the poor to the full extent of your means'.

Altho I'd agree on a few things-- charities lording over the poor (bad pun excused, please) or withholding help to remain important.. are reprehensible and contrary to the message.

I believe you have gone off on a tangent.

Jesus said do not give to charity. Assisting the poor is a loving and compassionate thing to do directly. love thy neighbor directly... you won't need the church to help you do that yourself. In some cases the poor must be helped with community effort, but for the most part the poor would not be poor if they were assisted in learning to be useful. Meaninglessness is a condition soothed with love and hope. We know how to care, but many of us prefer to simply "feel good" when we really aren't directly contributing our time and talent. Money is the easiest thing to give; love requires more generosity.

Yes and no.

Certainly those with the time and means to do direct work with people who need help have an obligation. Many KR members do volunteer work, myself included.

Its a reality of life I'm aligned with here, not everyone has the time to give. In that case, I don't see what's wrong with money. Especially with those able to spare a bit.

* just me *

I commend you and the others for your generosity. Money can be directly given. I have seen too often where people who claim not to have the time can easily find time to network at the golf courses and the gyms. Direct charity gives an opportunity to relate with people we otherwise may not take the time to know. Help the least of mankind and you have helped me.

"If you can't feed one hundred people then just feed one" - or words to that effect. Charity is good, it's helpful. It feeds people. It makes someone's life a little bit easier, a little less unbearable. So yes! Charity is good, any charity! Regardless of motive, how it is donated, and who is donating it.

Charity leads to dependency. Generosity of spirit and direct help to those in need is a far, far better way to connect to those in need. The world does not suffer from a shortage of food--the world suffers from a distribution system that allows politics, greed, and the power to corrupt. Money is a shallow means to solving the true nature of the problems of need.

Can you find me a quote? I've seen one pro-charity quote here, but no anti.

You might also want to take a look at Matthew 25:31-46

__________________
they made soup out of my research turtles.

So basically what you're saying is that if you can't change the world then you shouldn't bother doing anything at all, regardless of the good you can do. Charity is a BIG part of Judaism and Christianity - Jesus taught people to 'love thy fellow man', threre's is also a LONG history of religious chaity and religious charity organisations. Charity can also be an aid to progression, to independence. To actually reach a stage of independence people NEED a little help along the way. Jesus fed the five thousand, remember?

Ironically you have the name 'Paladin' - "A paladin is the prototypical "knight in shining armour," a hero of sterling character and courage, who rights wrongs and defends the weak and oppressed." And yet your message is 'fuck charity if it's not on my terms'.

i know from people who worked in Africa that in some parts poverty is increasing dramaticly because of aids. Lots of children are orphants because their parents died of aids. It is also known that lot's of local priests still preach(even today) that contraception is an evil thing and apperently they tell them that they will be cured of aids by fucking a virgin. Now I wonder if these young streetchildren are part the responsibility of the church?