Anonymous asked: Regarding your post about the Red Cross. First of all, the Red Cross often gets its hands tied by donations that are earmarked for a specific use. There are millions of earmarked funds sitting in accounts that cannot be used for any other purpose than that which they are earmarked for. Thus, money that is raised as designated for the disaster in Japan is not as appealing as non-designated funds, simply because money that is not earmarked is much easier for the Red Cross to use. So as generous as Jesus Couture's offer was ... it may not have been the right kind.
As for the perceived religious discrimination ... I wonder if you stopped to think that the Red Cross may not been able to ethically endorse the offer? Because the Internatinoal Red Cross and all of its affiliates work very closely with government agencies, they may choose to remain religiously neutral on a visual scale. Though some may find this fact sad, it's possible that some interest groups would become very angered by the Red Cross endorsing an extremely Christian effort.
And, have you stopped to think that some individuals might be offended by a Christian bible verse? YOU think that Jesus Couture's choice of words are uplifting and inoffensive, but you assume that this opinion applies across all cultures and ultimately religions.
As for sowing "racism, unkindness, selfishness, ignorance, criticism, judgment, or in this case, literally refusing to work together" ... what do you think Christianity-supported imperialism did? It's a shame that people forget that other cultures view Christianity VERY differently. Maybe Some Christians should stop lumping people into merely two categories in life: Christan and non-Christian (and thus stop marginalizing different cultures and stop perpetuating the overly-cliche western idea of the "other").
You are absolutely right! Sadly, many people in the world are very offended that there is a God who loves them, has a purpose for their life, and sent His son to die for their sins and save them from eternal damnation in hell. I wonder how offended God is that He made people for His glory and people blatantly disregard Him and all that He stands for. It truly amazes me how angry people get at the simple mention of God’s name.
I know there are and have been “Christian” groups in the past, including the KKK who have twisted Scripture to further their cause, and I do not support this. When I said sowing racism, unkindness, etc. I was referring to society as a whole, in which I believe morality and virtue is practically non-existent, NOT the Red Cross. This is my opinion.
Either way, I did not accuse the Red Cross of religious discrimination but I understand that that is the implication I gave off in my article.
Overall, I am highly offended and should’ve only focused on the fact that they refused our donations and did not give us an explanation. In ANY kind of customer service from any organization, this kind of “protocol” would reflect poorly on them as a whole. To deny donations from anyone, regardless of religion, for an aid relief situation as extensive as Japan’s where tens of thousands are still unaccounted for and thousands have died, turned me off completely. If a Muslim group were turned down, I would feel the exact same way. When people, regardless of race, religion, or any other separating barriers want to work together to help, that should be the main focus and truly all that matters.
Thank you for your response. I appreciate and try to learn from all feedback and criticism.
