Charity - Christian Aid week

**glo** · 05-03-2008

Greetings to all

Next week is Christian Aid week here in the UK, and I am one of the voluteers.
For those of you who don't know about Christian Aid - here is some information from their website:

We stand with the world’s poorest people to bring poverty and injustice to an end – regardless of faith or ethnicity.

We cross divides of religion, race and nationality, acting as the good Samaritan and going the extra mile to proclaim release to captives.

Wherever we can make a difference, Christian Aid works with and through local organisations – our partners. For many years Christian Aid has worked with partners of all faiths and none who share our vision of championing the eradication of poverty and injustice.

We work in more than 50 countries, for example Afghanistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Colombia, Nigeria, Kenya and Brazil. We are frequently not alone: Christian Aid often works with sister agencies, such as Action by Churches Together International, in disaster relief activities.

With our partners and allies, we uphold a commitment to honesty, professionalism, mutual respect, accountability and diversity. We are committed to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct, meaning we never link aid with evangelism.

Christian Aid is a voice for the poor, not afraid of getting political. We believe that God does not want poverty, injustice, discrimination and unsustainable development in the world. So we campaign for change, challenging structures and systems that make and keep people poor. The values of justice, peace and love must challenge the world’s values and our own, prompting us to re-examine how our lifestyles and decisions affect others. That is our charitable purpose and part of our Christian vocation. It does not mean getting involved in party politics but it does mean confronting with the truth people who have the power to change things. Christian Aid does not try to hide its anger when poor people are exploited.
Hope into action

Whether they have a faith or not, people support Christian Aid because they know we have the courage and integrity to take the difficult positions. They expect us to deliver good-quality aid that tangibly helps people in need. They know we are a bold, incisive, effective, efficient, results orientated, growing and ambitious organisation that equips and encourages people to put their faith into action.

Our faith tells us that ending poverty and suffering is not simply a dream but an imperative from God. It gives us the confidence to turn this hope into practical action.

Source: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/about...ore_death.aspx

My job will be to go from door to door, putting small donation envelopes through the letterboxes, which explain the purpose of Christian Aid ... and to return a few days later to collect the envelopes from those people who are willing to contribute.
There is no pressure or obligation to give ... quite often people will say that they support other charitable causes or that they would prefer not to give anything, and that is fine!

I am wondering how to address this with my Muslim neighbours.
This is a Christian charity.
I aims to fight poverty in the poorest countries on this earth - regardless of race or religion.
Christian Aid is committed to not evangelise/spread the Christian faith.

Given that charity is so strongly emphasized in Islam, would it be appropriate to distribute these envelopes to my Muslim neighbours too? Or would it be likely to cause embarrassment or offense?

What's your advice?

**ddz** · 05-05-2008

I am sure they are not.. me being extra cautious, I cannot tell which is which, would rather stick with what I know.. I don't gamble!

Fair enough, and I respect that.. but if you stick to only what you know, the story is always certain to be 1 sided my brother..

I don't know what Islamic charities do, but as a general rule I don't think you should offer religion in exchange for a full stomach.. It is just low!

Your right in saying that, but... I just hope you dont think Christian led charities are responsible for this... its a global issue within all religious charities because from what you have said.. it seems awfully sad that people use that to make others convert... but know that Non Christian Religious based charities have possibly done this as well, Islamic ones being no exception my brother...

My personal experience with such charities, as I have been to countries like Tanzania, is that they bribe children as young as 6 or 7 with things like bicycles in exchange for a conversion...

Your looking at the negative side of it.. =P Off Course these things occur in many countries accross the world all day every day, but I can also assure you that the majority of the charities who are not involved with such things deliver food and water, all working for the greater good...

indeed.. a far cry from Jesus peace be upon him, from what I know of modern christians!

REALLY didnt get what you mean... could you ellborate?

Greetings-- I mean that christianity of today isn't what Jesus PBUH was preaching

Your right to a very certain extent- Christianity was not even a Religion as Jesus was preaching to Jews... it only came to be many years after his ascension into heaven..

To me it is a form of Paganism, and Jesus PBUH was a monotheist worshipping the one God-- praying to the one God in the garden of Gethsemane-- not worshipping himself, not an archangel and not his mother

He was monotheistic.. and on the terms of paganism and what not... you are entitled to your opinion as is everyone else, God Bless you Bro.

I am not going to foster something no matter how well meaning that I believe to be wrong at the very nucleus...

Fair enough.. thanks for sharing your opinion at least

Peace be with you

**جوري** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by ddz

Fair enough, and I respect that.. but if you stick to only what you know, the story is always certain to be 1 sided my brother..

indeed.. for instance, you have made the assumption that I am a br. when in fact I am not.. it is human to neglect what might be very obvious?!

Your right in saying that, but... I just hope you dont think Christian led charities are responsible for this... its a global issue within all religious charities because from what you have said.. it seems awfully sad that people use that to make others convert... but know that Non Christian Religious based charities have possibly done this as well, Islamic ones being no exception my brother...

As I said, I think it low to offer food for a conversion.. offering da3wa in Islam is/was never contingent on hypocrisy... I think you'd probably see it all over the news 'Muslims offering food for conversion' as the media really loves to milk it.. unlike for instance Evangelists who think they are so entitled to infiltrate people and change their belief system..

The Unreached Peoples Prayer Profiles
Maldives
The Republic of Maldives is made up of 1,200 coral islands, 202 of which are inhabited. Located 600 km. southwest of Sri Lanka, Maldives is grouped into 19 administrative groups. The entire country is less than two meters above sea level and thus, susceptible to the effects of global warming. Fishing and tourism are the significant industries.
Maldives has a long tradition of isolated independence. The nation was an independent British protectorate until 1965. It has been a non-party democratic republic since 1968.
Islam is the only recognized religion, and the government uses all its power to enforce allegiance to Islam and to forbid the importation of Christian materials. The Maldivians are among the least evangelized people on earth, as there are no Scriptures in their language and no Christian radio programs. There have never been any resident missionaries.

http://kcm.co.kr/bethany_eng/c_code/maldives.html

Your looking at the negative side of it.. =P Off Course these things occur in many countries accross the world all day every day, but I can also assure you that the majority of the charities who are not involved with such things deliver food and water, all working for the greater good...

My views are not random but well founded, see previous!

REALLY didnt get what you mean... could you ellborate?

???

Your right to a very certain extent- Christianity was not even a Religion as Jesus was preaching to Jews... it only came to be many years after his ascension into heaven..

He was monotheistic.. and on the terms of paganism and what not... you are entitled to your opinion as is everyone else, God Bless you Bro.

I agree he was monotheistic, I never said otherwise, however I disagree that he was/is God... the fact that each of us holds a stance means that we already have our doubts about the other's point of view.. I mean you no harm by stating my beliefs!

Fair enough.. thanks for sharing your opinion at least

Peace be with you

and with you

cheers

**ddz** · 05-05-2008

indeed.. for instance, you have made the assumption that I am a br. when in fact I am not.. it is human to neglect what might be very obvious?!

Whats a Br?! lool

As I said, I think it low to offer food for a conversion.. offering da3wa in Islam is/was never contingent on hypocrisy... I think you'd probably see it all over the news.. unlike for instance Evangelists who think they are so entitled to infiltrate people and change their belief system..

* The Unreached Peoples Prayer Profiles
* Maldives
* The Republic of Maldives is made up of 1,200 coral islands, 202 of which are inhabited. Located 600 km. southwest of Sri Lanka, Maldives is grouped into 19 administrative groups. The entire country is less than two meters above sea level and thus, susceptible to the effects of global warming. Fishing and tourism are the significant industries.
* Maldives has a long tradition of isolated independence. The nation was an independent British protectorate until 1965. It has been a non-party democratic republic since 1968.
* Islam is the only recognized religion, and the government uses all its power to enforce allegiance to Islam and to forbid the importation of Christian materials. The Maldivians are among the least evangelized people on earth, as there are no Scriptures in their language and no Christian radio programs. There have never been any resident missionaries.

http://kcm.co.kr/bethany_eng/c_code/maldives.html

welp, good to know a country is taking good measures to protect their beleifs, but as previously said, I myself dont really trust evangelists.. but I can however say that always using this as an example will always put the overall bad mark on christians which is unfair in my opinion... just like an extremist muslim preaching his opinion- doesnt mean the whole of islam is based on just what his actions are..

**جوري** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by ddz

Whats a Br?! lool

A brother.. which I am not

welp, good to know a country is taking good measures to protect their beleifs, but as previously said, I myself dont really trust evangelists.. but I can however say that always using this as an example will always put the overall bad mark on christians which is unfair in my opinion... just like an extremist muslim preaching his opinion- doesnt mean the whole of islam is based on just what his actions are..

I never argued that there are good christian charities, or cast doubt on the intent of some of them, I merely stated I stick with what I know, it is a matter of preference... chocolate ice cream has always been good and nice, but I personally prefer butterscotch...

So long as the money/food/clothes/meds get to folks who needs them, then whatever route you took is fine...

peace

**ddz** · 05-05-2008

A brother.. which I am not

ahh dude! you know what I meant tho! lool obviously you aint my bro and im surre you kno I dont mean it in a literal sense, its jus outta respect ya kno?!

**MustafaMc** · 05-05-2008

How is http://christianaid.org.uk different from http://christianaid.org/Default.aspx ?

Christian Aid Mission

We seek to establish a witness for our Lord Jesus among unreached people groups by assisting highly effective native missionaries in poorer countries who already know the languages and culture and are getting the job done for less cost.

**جوري** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by ddz

ahh dude! you know what I meant tho! lool obviously you aint my bro and im surre you kno I dont mean it in a literal sense, its jus outta respect ya kno?!

No I mean I am a sister (in humanity)..

you are too funny

cheers

**جوري** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by MustafaMc

How is http://christianaid.org.uk different from http://christianaid.org/Default.aspx ?

Christian Aid Mission

We seek to establish a witness for our Lord Jesus among unreached people groups by assisting highly effective native missionaries in poorer countries who already know the languages and culture and are getting the job done for less cost.

amazing isn't it? sob7an Allah.. put food in their belly and lead them astray... how disheartening and off putting!

Jazaka Allah khyran for sharing... I have seen first hand what they do in Africa so I am not surprised even if they advertise otherwise..

**MustafaMc** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by Skye Ephémérine

amazing isn't it? sob7an Allah.. put food in their belly and lead them astray... how disheartening and off putting!

I don't know that the organizations are related in any way as the one without "uk" ending is based out of Virginia, USA. The one that Glo will be promoting in England seems to be different as it has a political agenda in addition to being charitable.

Wikipedia

Christian Aid campaigns to change the rules and systems that keep people poor, speaking out on issues such as trade justice, climate change and Third World debt. It is a major member of the Trade Justice Movement and Make Poverty History campaigns.

I still find it hard to believe that a charitable organization with a religious affinity will not try to promote its own religion, particularly in an area where it is the minority.

**Amadeus85** · 05-05-2008

In my opinion christian aid organizations shouldnt be in Iraq or Afghanistan nowadays as we have our forces there now. Its controversial.
About this giving food or clothes for conversion its simply bad, but I also heard that muslim charities do the same in Kenia(especially Nairobi slums) and Uganda.Those are exampes that i know from sources.

**ddz** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by Skye Ephémérine

No I mean I am a sister (in humanity)..

you are too funny

cheers

OH SNAP!!

SORRY!! im so dopey lol

**MustafaMc** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by Aaron85

About this giving food or clothes for conversion its simply bad, but I also heard that muslim charities do the same in Kenia(especially Nairobi slums) and Uganda.Those are exampes that i know from sources.

I agree to withhold food from a needy person unless he converts to your religion does not seem to be in accordance with God's Will. Even the giving of water to a thirsty dog is seen as a charitable deed in Islam. Isn't giving food to a needy human, regardless of his religious inclination, an even more honorable charitable deed?

With that said, if I was a volunteer for Islamic Relief, I would probably give aid to anyone "In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Mercifu." Likewise, don't you think a Christian would say, "In the Name of Jesus, the Son of God" as he handed out a bag of rice?

**جوري** · 05-05-2008

People become Muslim because they want to, not because they are being forced to...Muslims offer help and relief when christians failed in Africa, and as a result, they come to Islam willingly. I don't think there is a worst time for Muslims, yet here it, the fastest growing religion.. see my previous post on the 6000 German converts..

Islam Attracting Many Survivors of Rwanda Genocide
Jihad Is Taught as 'Struggle to Heal'

By Emily Wax
Washington Foreign Post Service
Monday, September 23, 2002; Page A10

"I know people in America think Muslims are terrorists, but for Rwandans they were our freedom fighters during the genocide," said Jean Pierre Sagahutu, 37, a Tutsi who converted to Islam from Catholicism after his father and nine other members of his family were slaughtered. "I wanted to hide in a church, but that was the worst place to go. Instead, a Muslim family took me. They saved my life."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2002Sep22.html

**جوري** · 05-05-2008

Originally Posted by ddz

OH SNAP!!

SORRY!! im so dopey lol

lol.. no don't worry about it...

cheers

**glo** · 05-06-2008

I am sorry to see that this thread is turning into an opportunity to slag of charities and/or religious groups.

As far as my original question goes, the thread has fulfilled its purpose, so I would be happy if the mods could close it.

Salaam