There are secular groups that do charity. They are less well known because they are more focused in helping people on the track to success instead of just helping people maintain the status quo. These groups started out by recognizing that there was a need and also recognizing that they had the means to meet this need. .
I have forgotten the name of one of the groups, but what it does is provide interview suits for people reentering the job market after being on financial assistance. They not only provide the suits, but also interview training, and a visit to the beauty parlor. The goal is to give these people the confidence and some skill to join the working world. Many people on welfare lack the confidence to do this, the charity provides the means and skills.
Another noteworthy charity that I've forgotten the name of is one that provides free tutoring to students after school. The concept is that successful people can pass on some of their knowledge to those who don't have it. Supposedly it really works.
There are other very successful groups that are not tied to any religion. These groups are non threatening to religious groups because they provide in areas where most religious groups don't (no turf wars) . Their goal does not appear to try to show Christians that secularists can do things better then them. what I mean is their goal isn't to proselytize, it's to give someone confidence and skills or to tutor.
One notable exception is addiction counseling groups. Christians dominate in this area. Christians honestly believe that an addiction is a sort of symptom substitution for a need for god. In other words an addict snorts coke to fill a need that god can fill better. Therefore if an addict finds god then the need is fulfilled and they no longer need to snort coke. Note that this doesn't work well for those who try to cure themselves of homosexuality. I digress.
On a heretical note: Do you think that charities that only work to maintain the status quo are better geared to religion (this is just a thought)? Poverty and periodic handouts can aid faith because you have to rely on something foreign to you that you have no control over for your aid. Charities that are hand ups (so to speak) require that the participant take on some measure of personal responsibility for their plight. The answer to a person's problems lies within themselves not on the good graces of some people who can provide. Successful people are good Personal leadership and good decision making. They don't abdicate personal responsibility because they know that in accepting such responsibility they learn from their mistakes instead of blame it on other things.
Furthermore charities that provide for basic needs of the moment don't have much to do with the future (leaving out heaven of course). It's more of a "daily bread" concept (this is a concept in Christianity for those who don't know). Charities that give hands up teach about the future and how you can work to meet your dreams.
This is just a thought. I may be dead wrong about this.
I have forgotten the name of one of the groups, but what it does is provide interview suits for people reentering the job market after being on financial assistance. They not only provide the suits, but also interview training, and a visit to the beauty parlor. The goal is to give these people the confidence and some skill to join the working world. Many people on welfare lack the confidence to do this, the charity provides the means and skills.
Another noteworthy charity that I've forgotten the name of is one that provides free tutoring to students after school. The concept is that successful people can pass on some of their knowledge to those who don't have it. Supposedly it really works.
There are other very successful groups that are not tied to any religion. These groups are non threatening to religious groups because they provide in areas where most religious groups don't (no turf wars) . Their goal does not appear to try to show Christians that secularists can do things better then them. what I mean is their goal isn't to proselytize, it's to give someone confidence and skills or to tutor.
One notable exception is addiction counseling groups. Christians dominate in this area. Christians honestly believe that an addiction is a sort of symptom substitution for a need for god. In other words an addict snorts coke to fill a need that god can fill better. Therefore if an addict finds god then the need is fulfilled and they no longer need to snort coke. Note that this doesn't work well for those who try to cure themselves of homosexuality. I digress.
On a heretical note: Do you think that charities that only work to maintain the status quo are better geared to religion (this is just a thought)? Poverty and periodic handouts can aid faith because you have to rely on something foreign to you that you have no control over for your aid. Charities that are hand ups (so to speak) require that the participant take on some measure of personal responsibility for their plight. The answer to a person's problems lies within themselves not on the good graces of some people who can provide. Successful people are good Personal leadership and good decision making. They don't abdicate personal responsibility because they know that in accepting such responsibility they learn from their mistakes instead of blame it on other things.
Furthermore charities that provide for basic needs of the moment don't have much to do with the future (leaving out heaven of course). It's more of a "daily bread" concept (this is a concept in Christianity for those who don't know). Charities that give hands up teach about the future and how you can work to meet your dreams.
This is just a thought. I may be dead wrong about this.
I have studied the Bible and the theology behind Christianity for many years. I have been to many churches. I have walked the depth and the breadth of the religion and, as a result of this, I have a lot of bullshit to scrape off the bottom of my shoes. ~Ziploc Surprise
