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Religious Organization asking for Free Software

Here's a, "what would you do," question.

In the past when a non-profit organization asked my company for a copy of my software for free, I would ask for proof, then send them a copy of the software free. This included religious organizations.

Now I have another church asking me for free software (it's an accounting and management package), and I'm very conflicted about giving them anything. They said they would pay the support fee ($125 annually), but would like the base accounting package free ($1850).

As long as my contribution doesn't *spread* religion further, I'm ok with it. I just don't know if I'm indirectly supporting religion through my contribution, or whether that even matters.

What do you think?

Tags: church, donation, free, non-profit, religion

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Permalink Reply by Johnsky on March 9, 2010 at 10:49am

Haha, just had a great thought...

... ask them to prove they haven't made a profit.

... demand it in a format compatible with your accounting software.

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Permalink Reply by ryan cameron on March 10, 2010 at 8:19am

With Christians, "testimony" is everything, so you showing grace and generosity as an atheist will prove they maybe should look at atheists with less hatred.

Think of it as an opportunity to make the world a better place by breaking down walls between people. Religion puts up walls, and when we break one down, we are fighting ignorance.

(I do software too and am regularly in the exact same position you are...and have found this personal policy to work quite well)

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Permalink Reply by Michael Lange on March 10, 2010 at 8:23am

I guess, though, I would need to tell them that I am an Atheist. Usually, I leave that out of the conversation unless asked.

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Permalink Reply by ryan cameron on March 10, 2010 at 8:31am

Yes, that would help, its usually the first thing I tell clients to clear up any potential future "gotchas" for them.

That said, if you dont, and just do it, its almost better because then if they ever do figure it out some day (probably would by you not saying ... "I'll pray for you" incessantly like they do, or talking about what god has blessed you with etc.), it gives you even more cred.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Lange on March 10, 2010 at 8:41am

Well, after all this, I think I'll donate a copy of the software and only charge them the support fee. In this economy, it's better to be making money then burning it. So I'll take the cash.

Thanks for all the input!

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Permalink Reply by Skraeling on March 20, 2010 at 3:23pm

Yeah, I'd have gone for that - lets face it, the actual cost of the materials (CD, manual etc) would be covered by one annual support fee?

Then again, they may claim it is a "miracle" that they got free software, or that you gave them it for free because they had prayed for it...

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Nicole on March 10, 2010 at 12:44pm

If they are paying an annual fee to use your program, then you are benefitting from giving it in the long run. If you demand they pay, they may instead use another program. It's not about religion when it comes to finances. You're not going to prove a point by denying it to them.

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Permalink Reply by Arnold on March 20, 2010 at 2:44am

Suggest they ask God for it. "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Mt. 18.19.