Christian right's compassion deficit

[Janet]

Christian right's compassion deficit

Bill Berkowitz - WorkingForChange

12.30.04 - It took President Bush three days to ready himself to go before the television cameras and make a public statement about Sunday's devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck southern Asia. Even though he was late, and much more money will be needed, the president pledged at least $35 million in aid to the victims of the disaster. But, as of December 30, some of the president's major family-values constituents have yet to be heard from: It's business as usual at the web sites of the American Family Association, the Family Research Council, the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, and the Coral Ridge Ministries.

These powerful and well-funded political Christian fundamentalist organizations appear to be suffering from a compassion deficit. Organizations which are amazingly quick to organize to fight against same-sex marriage, a woman's right to choose, and embryonic stem cell research are missing in action when it comes to responding to the disaster in southern Asia. None of their web sites are actively soliciting aid for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami.

In fact, there is no mention of the giant earthquake and tsunami that devastated southern Asia. There are no headlines about the dead, injured or the tremendous damage; there are no urgent appeals for donations; there are no phone numbers to call; there are no links to organizations collecting money and providing aid for the victims.

Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Thailand were among the countries hardest hit by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which sent huge waves that smashed boats, uprooted trees and destroyed structures from Malaysia to Africa, the Associated Press (AP) reported. As of Thursday, the death toll had soared to more than 114,000, millions were homeless from the disaster, and many more were still unaccounted for.

The web sites of the same organizations that organized a campaign to block Arlen Specter from ascending to the chairmanship of Senate Judiciary Committee within hours of his post-election night warning to President Bush about radically conservative judicial nominees are now silent.

At the Reverend Donald Wildmon's Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA) web site, the preferred cause -- and top story -- concerns the upcoming battle over the president's judicial appointees. The AFA hasn't forgotten about gays and lesbians: Under the headline "P&G Chairman Gives Thousands to Promote Homosexual Agenda" the AFA claims that "A.G. Lafley, CEO of Procter & Gamble, recently gave $5,163 in P&G stock to help the homosexual community repeal a law in Cincinnati that prohibited giving special rights to homosexuals."

The web site also salutes the Rev. Wildmon for being named one of "10 Who Made a Mark on Marketing" in 2004, featured in the December 20 issue of Advertising Age.

"Like him or hate him, this family-values crusader is having a big impact on marketing," the magazine states. "Although his American Family Association has been around for more than 20 years, the influence of Wildmon's group, which targets advertisers in TV shows it finds offensive via its 200,000-strong One Million Moms and One Million Dads e-mail network, is growing. Most recently, AFA convinced Lowe's and Tyson to pull their advertising from ABC's hottest new property, 'Desperate Housewives.'"

As of Wednesday evening I hadn't received any e-mail alerts regarding the earthquake from either the One Million Moms or the One Million Dads. The "current issue" at One Million Moms and Dads is a campaign to get the Burlington Coat Factory to cease advertising on "Life as We Know It" and "Desperate Housewives," television programs the AFA finds objectionable.

Over at the Family Research Council's web site, the powerful Washington, DC,-based family-values lobbying group is outraged that Christians are getting cheated out of Christmas, with two stories, "Is the Grinch Stealing Christmas?" and "Merry BAH HUMBUG-mas!" focusing on this. There are no alerts about the earthquake/tsunami.

At the Christian Coalition's (CC) web site, the organization's president, Roberta Combs, is busy thanking CC supporters for their "time and effort in getting millions of Christian Coalition voter guides (English & Spanish) distributed to your family, friends, churches, Christian bookstores and neighborhoods all across America."

Family.org, the web site of Dr. James Dobson's Colorado Springs, Colorado-based multi-media mega-ministry, Focus on the Family, is all over the map with its features: From messages to "remember Focus on the Family in your year-end giving," to helpful hints on how to survive Christmas without "The Lord of the Rings," to movie reviews of "Fat Albert" (thumbs up), "The Aviator (thumbs down), "Meet the Fockers" (a disappointed thumbs down), and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (a reluctant thumbs up).

First and foremost, Concerned Women for America (CWA) wants you to know "The Truth About Alfred Kinsey." The twenty-five year-old organization, which bills itself as "the nation's largest public policy women's organization," is also offering a "Special Christmas Feature" from Dr. Beverly LaHaye, founder of the organization, and Dr. Janice Crouse. But not a word on the earthquake/tsunami.

<snip>

Over at falwell.com, the Rev. Jerry Falwell is explaining "The True Meaning of Christmas," recruiting for his new organization, The Moral Majority Coalition, and soliciting cruisers for a late July sojourn aboard the Queen Mary II.

<snip>

http://www.workingforchange.com/printitem.cfm?itemid=18309

[xexon]

Christianity has become diseased.

It cannot be trusted to make critical decisions.



x

[spork]

http://www.rawprint.com/rawstory/images/westboro_tsunami_1230.gif


Plenty of compassion at the Westboro Baptist Church.

[xexon]

Fine people. I expect they will burn rather well in the hellfires reserved for them.



x

[Janet]

http://www.rawprint.com/rawstory/images/westboro_tsunami_1230.gif


Plenty of compassion at the Westboro Baptist Church.

That link is totally evil, to say the least! I can't believe that those people call themselves Christians.

:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

[Janet]

Fine people. I expect they will burn rather well in the hellfires reserved for them.



x

I assume that you are referring to the people at the Westboro Baptist Church, of course!

:mad: :( :mad:

[spork]

That link is totally evil, to say the least! I can't believe that those people call themselves Christians.

:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

Fred's a real sicko. I hope I didn't offend you, Janet.

[bowerbird]

Before we play this game let us make clear that this is not about ALL republicans or ALL people on the right. This is about some who have focussed on righteous outrage over minor comments rather than doing something about the horrendous events unfolding before us.

[Michele]

Christian right's compassion deficit

Bill Berkowitz - WorkingForChange

interesting... not all to encouraging considering the political influence of these groups... but interesting.

[Janet]

interesting... not all to encouraging considering the political influence of these groups... but interesting.

To me it's particularly distressing, because these are the people whose lives are supposed to be a reflection of the teachings of Jesus the Christ. They seem to be totally lost in their own little worlds, oblivious to the reality which surrounds them. I can't begin to comprehend what's going through their minds. How can they not care?

:mad: :( :mad:

[Janet]

Fred's a real sicko. I hope I didn't offend you, Janet.

No, you didn't offend me. I was shocked at what is supposed to be a Christian organization being so blatantly evil.

:( :( :(

[MrAmerica]

That's a bunch of tripe. For one thing those organizations you mentioned are not relief organizations. Any Christian would know where to go to donate.

CRS Commits $25 Million for Tsunami Relief (That's more than most countries donated)

http://www.christianheadlines.com/
Lutheran World Relief launches "wave of giving" for tsunami victims Assist News Service
Evangelical relief agencies providing swift help to tsunami disaster victims Assist News Service
CBF workers begin relief efforts after deadly tsunamis in Asia Associated Baptist Press
Christian Relief Groups Mobilize Aid for Tsunami Victims in Asia Charisma News Service
India's Christians Prominent in Casualties and Aid: Velankanni basilica, Christian fishermen hardest hit Christianity Today
Disaster Prompts 'Neighborly Love': The director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka meets Christian survivors straining to deliver aid to victims despite their own losses Christianity Today
Temptations in Disaster: A ministry leader in Sri Lanka advises his colleagues on spiritual disciplines during a crisis Christianity Today
Tsunami Survivors Desparate for Aid: Christian groups worldwide mobilize massive relief effort to South Asia Christianity Today
Dozens of Denominations Launch Much-Needed Relief Efforts Christian Post
Religious groups offer a hand Denver Post
Compassion International launches tsunami relief fund, children severely affected Mission Network News
Despite harsh persecution in Sri Lanka, the church responds to the overwhelming needs in the tsunami's aftermath Mission Network News
More than 100 ABWE missionaries are currently serving in the Asia Pacific, all are reportedly safe and helping victims Mission Network News
Back to the Bible staff in Sri Lanka is safe, but churches they work with have been destroyed Mission Network News
Food for the Hungry is on the ground providing relief to victims Mission Network News
HOW CAN I HELP? -- Dozens of Christian relief organizations and mission agencies are helping with tsunami relief Mission Network News
On Other Side of the World, Little to Do but Offer Prayers New York Times
United Methodists use 'USA Today' ad to help tsunami victims United Methodist News Service
Missionaries in Indonesia urge strong Christian response to quake United Methodist News Service

[Draft Dodger]

Christian right's compassion deficit

Bill Berkowitz - WorkingForChange

12.30.04 - It took President Bush three days to ready himself to go before the television cameras and make a public statement about Sunday's devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck southern Asia. Even though he was late, and much more money will be needed, the president pledged at least $35 million in aid to the victims of the disaster. But, as of December 30, some of the president's major family-values constituents have yet to be heard from: It's business as usual at the web sites of the American Family Association, the Family Research Council, the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, and the Coral Ridge Ministries.

These powerful and well-funded political Christian fundamentalist organizations appear to be suffering from a compassion deficit. Organizations which are amazingly quick to organize to fight against same-sex marriage, a woman's right to choose, and embryonic stem cell research are missing in action when it comes to responding to the disaster in southern Asia. None of their web sites are actively soliciting aid for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami.

In fact, there is no mention of the giant earthquake and tsunami that devastated southern Asia. There are no headlines about the dead, injured or the tremendous damage; there are no urgent appeals for donations; there are no phone numbers to call; there are no links to organizations collecting money and providing aid for the victims.

<snip>

http://www.workingforchange.com/printitem.cfm?itemid=18309So these groups have not updated their web sites fast enough for you. SO WHAT?

Maybe there is no one home to do the updates. We are only about half way through the Christian Christmas season. Christians are celebrating the birth of the Christ and not sitting in offices. Christmas ends at Epiphany.

[spork]

So these groups have not updated their web sites fast enough for you. SO WHAT?

Maybe there is no one home to do the updates. We are only about half way through the Christian Christmas season. Christians are celebrating the birth of the Christ and not sitting in offices. Christmas ends at Epiphany

Puhlease - if there were some rumblings about gay marriage somewhere, they'd be all over it. The handwringing would be heard 'round the world.

[cpwill]

How can they not care?


:shrug: because they are human.

[heel31ok]

That link is totally evil, to say the least! I can't believe that those people call themselves Christians.

:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:
:confused: :confused: this is obviously not a real website for a real church, it is a spoof!

[heel31ok]

Fine people. I expect they will burn rather well in the hellfires reserved for them.



xthere is no hell only more chances to get it right.do not judge people .

[spork]

:confused: :confused: this is obviously not a real website for a real church, it is a spoof!

No, it's no spoof. Reverand Fred Phelps is for real, at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KA. Perhaps you've read about the church group that targets gay funerals and events to picket? Do a google search of Fred Phelps and you'll find his entire website to peruse - I fear if I gave you the link to it here, my post would be deleted - because the URL is actually hate speech.

[Simba]

Christianity has become diseased.

It cannot be trusted to make critical decisions.



x

Christianity, like government, or any other organization with or without a name, are not capable of thinking, as you state.

They are entities, not living beings possessed of rational thinking. Then again, there are alot of people lacking such as well.

As a member of a community that supposedly lacks such compassion, let me first say, that as a businessman who has taken my family every summer to one relief mission or another around the world for the last 7 years, I would like to know how many of you who would cast such stones were there when I helped build the dam in Mozambique? How about last year's Haitian relief mission? Surely it was there we had a cold one between putting up roofs. No? Hmmm, could have been after the flooding in the Dominican Republic? Suppose its hard to see everyone, considering so many of those darn christian missionaries lacking in compassion get in the way, them, or those UN workers and peacekeepers running "kiddy porn" hostels in refugee camps.

Well. It will come to me. Surely we met somewhere.

Just joking.

[MrAmerica]

Just incase some people here don't like to read things that make them look, well...a little less than informed.

American Family Association and the Family Research Council, Concerns themselves with, what? THE AMERICAN FAMILY!

Focus on the family, does what? They focus on the family (american family)


the Christian Coalition is a political oriented org.

These groups have their own function. On the other hand, there are groups who deal with aid, and I'm willing to bet that people from the above organizations have given to groups who deal with aid and relief.

CRS Commits $25 Million for Tsunami Relief (That's more than most countries donated)

http://www.christianheadlines.com/
Lutheran World Relief launches "wave of giving" for tsunami victims Assist News Service
Evangelical relief agencies providing swift help to tsunami disaster victims Assist News Service
CBF workers begin relief efforts after deadly tsunamis in Asia Associated Baptist Press
Christian Relief Groups Mobilize Aid for Tsunami Victims in Asia Charisma News Service
India's Christians Prominent in Casualties and Aid: Velankanni basilica, Christian fishermen hardest hit Christianity Today
Disaster Prompts 'Neighborly Love': The director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka meets Christian survivors straining to deliver aid to victims despite their own losses Christianity Today
Temptations in Disaster: A ministry leader in Sri Lanka advises his colleagues on spiritual disciplines during a crisis Christianity Today
Tsunami Survivors Desparate for Aid: Christian groups worldwide mobilize massive relief effort to South Asia Christianity Today
Dozens of Denominations Launch Much-Needed Relief Efforts Christian Post
Religious groups offer a hand Denver Post
Compassion International launches tsunami relief fund, children severely affected Mission Network News
Despite harsh persecution in Sri Lanka, the church responds to the overwhelming needs in the tsunami's aftermath Mission Network News
More than 100 ABWE missionaries are currently serving in the Asia Pacific, all are reportedly safe and helping victims Mission Network News
Back to the Bible staff in Sri Lanka is safe, but churches they work with have been destroyed Mission Network News
Food for the Hungry is on the ground providing relief to victims Mission Network News
HOW CAN I HELP? -- Dozens of Christian relief organizations and mission agencies are helping with tsunami relief Mission Network News
On Other Side of the World, Little to Do but Offer Prayers New York Times
United Methodists use 'USA Today' ad to help tsunami victims United Methodist News Service
Missionaries in Indonesia urge strong Christian response to quake United Methodist News Service

[spork]

Focus on the family, does what? They focus on the family (american family)

Child psychologist James Dobson has built an enormous empire that is tax free, based on his ties to religion, despite the fact that he's no theologian.

A look at their website will show you that focusing on the family is only one part of their agenda. Dobson is awfully interested in what consenting adults do in bedrooms. Another rightwing pervert, peeping in windows. He has a huge focus on hatred of homosexuals. He's the same as Fred Phelps, only with much better manners, and far more diplomatic language.

Dobson doesn't mind if homosexuals pay taxes for the services his empire uses, but refuses to support....like police, fire, roads, etc. :rolleyes:

[MrAmerica]

Child psychologist James Dobson has built an enormous empire that is tax free, based on his ties to religion, despite the fact that he's no theologian.
No, he's a psychologist

A look at their website will show you that focusing on the family is only one part of their agenda.
Yes, but they are not an aid relief organization. Before you criticize Dobson and the rest for not contributing, why don't you find out if they have. Here is the website for focus on the family.

http://www.family.org/
Tsunami Relief from Family.org
We encourage you to remember those whose lives have been torn apart by the devastating tsunami that struck Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa. Here's how you can help.

Now. You Christian haters have criticized all of the above for not giving. But as I have shown, there are millions of Christians (including myself) who have given generously. Catholic relief has given $25,000,000 alone. Add that to all other Christian contributions, and we American Christians have given at least more than TWICE the amount of all the Muslim governments put together. According to Sunday's Chicago Tribune, the only Muslim nations to contribut were:
Kuwait: $2 million
United Arab Emirates: $2 million
Iran: $627,000
Saudi Arabia: $10 million
Qatar: $10 million
Turkey: $1.25 million

Why don't you criticize the ones who don't even care about their own? Saudia Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are filthy rich. They spend more on toys than they have contributed.

I can guarantee you that if the majority of people affected by this trajedy had been Christians, non of you would have contributed a dime.

[spork]

I can guarantee you that if the majority of people affected by this trajedy had been Christians, non of you would have contributed a dime.

Horse hockey. You can guarantee no such thing - and making asinine statements like that doesn't make your kneejerk theology more palatable. And what would Jesus say about a statement like that? :eek:

As it happens, my NON christian church is extraordinarily generous, despite the fact that we are a small congregation. We donated goods and money to Florida during the hurricane - and the majority of people affected there certainly were Christians, and some of them of the most noxious variety, I'm sure. We recently donated materials to a school built by the military in northern Iraq. My best friend's sister is in the engineering unit that built the school We're donating to tsunami relief, and we're helping another congregation in our area ( a Christian one) with an emergency shelter for the homeless in our cold northern area.

Perhaps you should suggest to GW Bush that his close friend Prince Bandar "Bush" (as he's known to the Bush family) of Saudi Arabia should pony up some cash.

How much has James Dobson donated personally? His money, not the money he's fleecing from his flock.

[MrAmerica]

Horse hockey. You can guarantee no such thing - and making asinine statements like that doesn't make your kneejerk theology more palatable. And what would Jesus say about a statement like that? :eek:

As it happens, my NON christian church is extraordinarily generous, despite the fact that we are a small congregation. We donated goods and money to Florida during the hurricane - and the majority of people affected there certainly were Christians, and some of them of the most noxious variety, I'm sure. We recently donated materials to a school built by the military in northern Iraq. My best friend's sister is in the engineering unit that built the school We're donating to tsunami relief, and we're helping another congregation in our area ( a Christian one) with an emergency shelter for the homeless in our cold northern area.

Perhaps you should suggest to GW Bush that his close friend Prince Bandar "Bush" (as he's known to the Bush family) of Saudi Arabia should pony up some cash.

How much has James Dobson donated personally? His money, not the money he's fleecing from his flock.

Well, it looks like we have a Michael Moore fan. Didn't Michael Moore sit next to Jimmy Carter at the Democrat National Convention? What does Jimmy Carter have to say about Bandar?

Last night, (Wednesday, Dec. 15) Carter, 80, in humorous fashion recounted on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" how close his family has become to Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar. Carter told of a time that 23 members of his family traveled to Colorado on a Christmas vacation.

"One year we went out to Aspen and Prince Bandar—who is a good friend of mine—from Saudi Arabia, let us use his big mansion on top of a mountain overlooking the slopes, full of toys for the kids and so forth. So one morning we were having breakfast and my one grandson, Jeremy, he could just barely see over the top of the table and he looked up at me and said, 'Papa are you going to die someday?'

"You know all the grandparents want their kids to love them and so my heart just swelled up with pride that this kid was really worried about me. I said, 'yes, Jeremy, everybody dies someday.' And so I waited for him to say something else. He didn't say anything else. So finally I said, 'honey, why did you ask me that question?' He said 'when you die, can we still come to Bandar's house?'" —Donald H. Harrison

You have no idea how much money James Dobson has donated to the Tsunami relief. So it's pretty hypocritical for you to accuse me of suggesting the same thing about you. You don't have to be a Christian to be a hypocrite, you know. I made my statement about you for a good reason. You obviously hate Christians, and if you expect me to believe that you would be generous and open your wallet to help a group of people that you hate, then you probably have a bridge somewhere in the dessert that you are going to try to sell me. James Dobson does not hate anyone, including homosexuals. If the bible says that homosexuality is wrong, and he believes the bible is the word of God, then that is a part of his religious belief. It does not mean he is a bigot, homophobe or hypocrite.

Also, the word "church" is a biblical Christian word, used to describe a group of believers (CHRISTIANS). There are no non-Christian churches. Whatever it is you are a member of, it is not a church even if it calls itself one. The church of Scientology calls itself a church, it is not.

[spork]

Well, it looks like we have a Michael Moore fan.

What does Michael Moore have to do with anything said here? I didn't say a word about him. Is calling someone a Michael Moore fan part of your debate technique? (clearly you could use some help) Or is it supposed to be a devastating insult from which I will be unable to recover? :rolleyes:

It's a sleazy attempt at bait and switch. Sleazy being a polite descriptor.

You have no idea how much money James Dobson has donated to the Tsunami relief.

No kidding. That's why in my last post, which you don't appear to have actually read, I asked: How much has James Dobson donated personally? If you need additional assistance, I'll be glad to rephrase the question.

You obviously hate Christians, and if you expect me to believe that you would be generous and open your wallet to help a group of people that you hate, then you probably have a bridge somewhere in the dessert that you are going to try to sell me. James Dobson does not hate anyone, including homosexuals. If the bible says that homosexuality is wrong, and he believes the bible is the word of God, then that is a part of his religious belief. It does not mean he is a bigot, homophobe or hypocrite.

I see. You are willing to accuse me of hating Christians, with no evidence at all, but you defend James Dobson who is, in fact, a homophobe and bigot. Be brave enough to acknowledge your own biases against non-Christians, since clearly you hate those who haven't succumbed to your belief system. What makes you so sure you have all the answers? Could your God beat my God up on the playground? Do you think Jesus would approve of James Dobson's bigotry and discrimination? Do you think Jesus would approve of James Dobson's financial empire? Do you think Jesus would approve of television evangelists?

Also, the word "church" is a biblical Christian word, used to describe a group of believers (CHRISTIANS). There are no non-Christian churches. Whatever it is you are a member of, it is not a church even if it calls itself one. The church of Scientology calls itself a church, it is not.

Wrong, again, Mr. America. From Merriam Webster
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=church&x=20&y=13

CHURCH
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit sura hero, warrior
1 : a building for public and especially Christian worship
2 : the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3 : a body or organization of religious believers: as a : the whole body of Christians b : DENOMINATION c : CONGREGATION
4 : a public divine worship <goes to church every Sunday>
5 : the clerical profession <considered the church as a possible career>

To give you credit, Mr. America - that's a nice, healthy ego you have.

The problem is - you and your buddies don't get to make the definitions, of what is and isn't a church. It is very, very amusing that you confer that power upon yourselves, however.

Tell me, how do you feel about the founding fathers of the USA - men like Jefferson and Adams?

[Draft Dodger]

Puhlease - if there were some rumblings about gay marriage somewhere, they'd be all over it. The handwringing would be heard 'round the world.You don't know that. Your post shows you for who your really are. Happy New Year.

[Albert]

The problem with religious organizations by design is a tendency towards bigotry and indifference towards those people perceived to be “out of the club”.

I think the issue here is two fold; first you have groups with political agendas that use a particular religious label for the sake of a brand name. They tend to attract supporters and money by getting into others business. If justice were served we would call them the stone throwers. The other problem is the tendency of some, who believe themselves to be religious, to feel that these misfortunate people some how deserved their fate.

Perhaps people who have a much more charitable worldview should be more aggressive in distancing themselves from the others.