“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Ring-ring, clang-clang... it's that time of year again when everyone's looking for a donation or a handout. There are so many charities out there, how do you begin to pick and choose who gets your hard-earned money? I guess most people pick something that's near-and-dear to them... maybe you choose the American Cancer Society because you had a relative die of cancer... or maybe the ASPCA if you have a dog or cat. Whatever the cause, nowadays you have to take it a step further and examine the organization for wrong-doing or for a litany of beliefs or ideals in their mission statement that don't align with yours or of humanity in general. Charity is supposed to help the needy, but often times it goes to help the greedy. You may donate $50.00... but what's the true cost?
Recently, information has surfaced alleging that televangelist Pat Robertson of the 700 Club funneled charitable funds from his Operation Blessing Outreach (a charitable foundation in Zaire, Africa) into his private holdings in African Development Co which, for the most part, mines diamonds and is chartered in Bermuda. His ties with the Zaire dictator (Mobutu Sese Seko, who is linked to bankrupting the country by draining $6 billion in assets) are under question, including receiving vast forestry and mining concessions for his diamond business. The purchase of several planes that were outfitted with Operation Blessing Outreach signage, but only a handful of flights were ever used for humanitarian efforts, with the rest on missions for his mines. After a thorough investigation of the matters, the findings were sealed by Virginia State Attorney General Mark Earley and Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, who, coincidentally, received large campaign contributions from Robertson and his associates. Tax breaks for religious affiliations, tax evasion, use of the dictators planes, boats and vacation homes, bribing and embezzlement are only some of the accusations he is facing.
Other more recognizable organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army have been embroiled in controversy as well. Goodwill is under scrutiny for what it pays it's disabled workers (some reportedly as low as 22 cents an hour), which is much less than the minimum wage, obviously. The Special Wage Certificate Program, designed to promote businesses to hire the disabled, allows for separate pay scales based on abilities with no minimum. One CEO makes about $430k, with total CEO compensation across the country at $30 million. In one of it's mission statements, it boasts “to eliminate barriers to opportunity and help people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work". Making 22 cents an hour isn't a barrier to opportunity?
The Salvation Army has never hid it's Christian beliefs and have been quite open about their stance on homosexuality and gay marriage. Everything from not hiring or firing gays... to refusing services to known homosexuals have emerged throughout the years. Most recently, Salvation Army went on record, stating that LGBTQ parents should be put to death as the bible instructs. Several chapters of their handbook cites Romans 1:18-32, which includes an admonition that homosexuals “deserved to die". Their public relations representative released a statement saying that they are working towards a relationship with the LGBTQ community and they will offer help to anyone, but actions speak louder than words.
Actions speak louder than words.
“I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.” Abraham Lincoln
