What about the religious orders dedicated to the sick, the dying, the poor? What about the charities that feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for those ill and dying? I have seen many religious groups taking care of these people and showing love. Can anyone deny the good they do? Are there any non religious charities or groups that you know of?
2006-08-12 01:39:57 · 16 answers · asked by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Have you heard of any Prison ministries that were not from any religious groups?
2006-08-12 01:40:34 · update #1
I am NOT saying that no nonbelievers help. I am only pointing out that most of the charities that are around are religious by nature.
2006-08-12 01:52:55 · update #2
Many secular groups and individuals do the same thing.
In my opinion, a person who wants to help the world will do so - regardless of religious affiliation. If, however, that person has a religious affiliation, then he will use it to justify and explain his helpfulness. So I will give my full respect to anyone who tries to help those in need of help. But I will not attribute their actions to their religions - I believe that they are helping the world regardless of their religious convictions, not because of them.
But that doesn't really matter. Good is good - wherever it comes from. But the point is that if religion were to miraculously disappear overnight, both religious and secular charities would carry on as they had been, so religion seems to me to be a cypher in the equation.
Yes. There are many secular charities. I don't have a list, but if you're interested I'm sure I could find a few examples.
2006-08-12 01:49:44 · answer #1 · answered by XYZ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'm not going to deny that many religious organisations can do a lot of good. Christian Aid is one that immediately comes to mind.
But I also think you have to balance that against a lot of indoctrination, and religion-motivated intolerance and violence.
Overall, you can't just pick the good, and you can't just pick the bad.
And it's certainly not true that non-religious people don't help others. That's crazy. I'm an atheist and regularly give money to charity. And there are MANY secular charities... far more than religious ones. UNICEF, Oxfam, Medecins sans Frontieres? None of them have a religious agenda. There are far too many of these to list...
Please don't assume that to be a caring, compassionate person you HAVE to be religious.
And ministry, in the context you refer to, is by definition about preaching and religion. An equivalent service is provided by many secular counsellors, who help prisoners and others to deal with their problems. And I would argue this is more selfless, since they have no agenda of trying to convert someone or make them more religious.
Edit: Ok, I understand - you aren't saying all non-religionists have no compassion. But to answer the point - your statement is factually incorrect. The vast majority of the world's large charitable organisations are non-religious and secular in nature.
Why? Because for them the act of compassion is the important thing. Bringing religion in would corrupt it.
The only two large international charities I can think of which are religious are Christian Aid and the ICRC (International Committees of the Red Cross and Red Crescent)... and the Red Cross is actually secular now, it was just christian in its origin, and uses the title Red Crescent in Islamic countries so as not to cause offence.
2006-08-12 08:50:59 · answer #2 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think so. Some people in those religions may focus on the good things and therefore do good deeds.
So I would say people do them, and no religion is responsible.
Many christian charities sponser christian terrorism. You didnt think the 'aid' was always food did you?
Prison ministries are usually about getting making a person not break one of the laws of the land, usually made by religions. This of course stops some people from breaking laws. So what. Many of the laws should not exist. Religions also make dangerous people.
Religions like to not let their right hand know what their left hand is doing.
Many religions practice and teach "The sword in one hand & the Scriptures in the other"
2006-08-12 08:50:25 · answer #3 · answered by CJunk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only thing I don't like is when those religious groups go on some televangelist TV network and run an infomercial saying "God wants you to help us... God wants you to send us $99.99... but God is also willing to accept two payments of $49.99... remember, God does not accept credit cards..." You know, they talk as if God actually came into their bedroom window one night and told them the exact amounts and payment methods that they should demand from people in their donations. Obviously not all of them do that, but it's just that I get a little angry when I see these kinds of groups saying things like "God WANTS you to do this," "God WANTS you to help US," "God WANTS you to give us money" ... Why can't they advertise the fact that there are sick and dying kids in foreign countries that need help and assistance, instead of the fact that God is looking down at you RIGHT NOW and frowning at YOU for not giving MY particular group money? What they accomplish is great, but they should leave the supernatural claims out of it.
2006-08-12 08:50:13 · answer #4 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm aware that without Christians this world would be a cold and heartless place... But as for thinking non-believers know this...Well many do, but refuse to accept it.
Chrstians can base what they say on Truth.
But non-believers can only deny the obvious to make their theories work.
Without religion there wouldn't be laws.
Religion is the base of everything, without religion, there is nothing.
2006-08-13 07:20:54 · answer #5 · answered by Ashton Kage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would seem that it is very clear that religions have accomplished many positive things. The problem is that the same religions, historically, have done much evil. Crusades, Witch Trials, Inquisition, and look what is being done in the name of Islam, today! Then you get to the element of truth. Is it TRUE???? Every religion cannot be true, so some must be false. If something is false, wouldn't it be better to go with what is true... SO... yes, good has been done and so has evil. Net effect has to be a personal decision.
2006-08-12 08:49:00 · answer #6 · answered by blackfangz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that being human organizations based on books written by humans they've made (and make) a lot of nonsensical mistakes while, at the same time, contributing indeed for the betterment of things. That's human nature for you. Not God (whatever God is) acting but mankind with its pros and its cons.
2006-08-12 08:47:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I honestly think they have done a good job- if it weren't for them, people would think that anything is allowed. I think Chrsitianity sets limits to what u can do and at the same time gives u the freedom u need to live a happy life.
2006-08-12 08:45:22 · answer #8 · answered by Robertcollins 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the community chest. non government, non religious run charity.
But the various faiths have done a lot of good work, including charities, homeless missions and sending their faithful and stupid to various wars throughout history.
2006-08-12 08:55:32 · answer #9 · answered by guhralfromhell 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
On balance, religions have wrought more harm than good on humanity.
Just FYI, The Red Cross is a non religious organization..
2006-08-12 08:43:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋