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The Rise of Atheist charities

Why You Don't Need God to be Good: the Rise of Atheist Charities

The growth of charitable outlets designed for atheists, freethinkers, and secular humanists not only rallies nonbelievers and increases their public profile, it can also provide a venue they feel more comfortable donating to. The SHARE website explains its motivation thus: “skeptics and humanists are frustrated that so many charitable organizations, especially those that help people afflicted by natural or human disasters, have efforts coordinated by religious organizations. These organizations sometimes proselytize to the people in need of their services. This is entirely unacceptable.”

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by dr kellie on February 15, 2012 at 8:08am

Sometimes proselytize? From my experience as a member of religious organizations, the goal was to always proselytize.

Permalink Reply by Hugh Kramer on February 16, 2012 at 2:02pm

My favorite story about charities that proselytize came in the immediate wake of the Haitian earthquake 2 years ago when two ministries who were sending vitally-needed food and medical supplies made room on their air-lift pallet for 600 "Proclaimers" - a pricey solar-powered audio bible that could preach to illiterate Haitians in their own language. You can find the story here: http://www.examiner.com/atheism-in-los-angeles/scientologists-and-a....

I believe they were also calling for $80,000+ in donations so they could ship another 3,000 "Proclaimers" to the stricken earthquake victims.

Permalink Reply by dr kellie on February 16, 2012 at 3:12pm

Thanks for the link. That is just sick.

Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on February 17, 2012 at 12:03pm

Indeed! Twisted priorities.

Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on February 17, 2012 at 12:02pm

We see this a great deal from Christian groups. In contrast, as a rule Jews don't proselytize to non-Jews. I've run into Chabad Lubavitchers, a Chassidic Orthodox Jewish group that aggressively tries to bring other Jews to their version of "Torah and commandments", and an encounter with one of their "street evangelists" might go something like this:

Lubavitcher to a man passing by: "Good morning! Are you Jewish?"

"Um, no."

"Have a nice day."

"Good morning! Are you Jewish?"

"Yes..."

"Have you laid tefillin today?"

"Um, no..."

"Do you have a few minutes; would you like to?" [If yes, the Lubavitcher offers a set of tefillin and helps the person through the ritual.]

Permalink Reply by Hugh Kramer on February 17, 2012 at 9:21pm

That conversation might go a bit differently with me.

"Good morning! Are you Jewish?

"Yes..."