I wrote a bit about how charities are using products to raise money (girl scouts, red campaign, LiveStrong, etc.) and how they've tapped into the "Me Generation" by giving people something they want, along with the satisfaction of knowing some of the money goes to a good cause.
Some might ignore the fact that some of their money going to other products goes to perpetuate slave labor, child labor, or many political or social causes that they really, really disagree with...but those are largely ignored.
I wonder how this giving things up for Lent factors into the "Me Generation". I know a few folks that are giving up chocolate, sweets, smoking crack....for Lent, and each of them tell me that they need to cut back. The focus of the "fast" isn't a great focus on their relationship with God, trying to cut back on the distractions that keep them from seeking more of God and less of them ("He must become greater, I must become less" - John the Baptist).
I would never say that that is everybody....but I have yet to talk with anyone about giving something up for Lent - where the conversation touched on the word God, the idea of seeking more of Him, or anything other than - I need to cut down on _________.
So I wonder if this has become another thing we do in the name of a greater cause, that's ultimately just about us?
I really don't know - I'm just thinking this through...
Some might ignore the fact that some of their money going to other products goes to perpetuate slave labor, child labor, or many political or social causes that they really, really disagree with...but those are largely ignored.
I wonder how this giving things up for Lent factors into the "Me Generation". I know a few folks that are giving up chocolate, sweets, smoking crack....for Lent, and each of them tell me that they need to cut back. The focus of the "fast" isn't a great focus on their relationship with God, trying to cut back on the distractions that keep them from seeking more of God and less of them ("He must become greater, I must become less" - John the Baptist).
I would never say that that is everybody....but I have yet to talk with anyone about giving something up for Lent - where the conversation touched on the word God, the idea of seeking more of Him, or anything other than - I need to cut down on _________.
So I wonder if this has become another thing we do in the name of a greater cause, that's ultimately just about us?
I really don't know - I'm just thinking this through...
Funny how self-centered American humanitarianism can be! But don't tick off the culture by mentioning this to them!
ReplyDeleteCBBw
I gave up all sweets for Lent. I shouldn't eat much of them anyway, so some of what you say is true. But because I made that promise to God, I will never cheat during Lent. The rest of the year, I would look at the box of chocolate chip cookies sitting across the aisle from my desk, know I shouldn't indulge, but do so anyway. So, I think you can do both things - make a sacrifice that is slightly difficult, honoring God and doing something that is good for your health at the same time.
ReplyDeletethat's not a bad combo
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear you expand on your paragraph about your charity going to things you don't know about. Could you give some examples please?
ReplyDeletewell, here's a question for you anonymous...
ReplyDeletewho makes those trendy tshirts to be sold at the gap? you know, the pretty red ones that benefit the aids kids in africa. is it really minimum wage earning americans?
bono's special edition ipod was made where? but a portion of those proceeds go to something good right?
yeah. those are two quick examples. i think...
There are several accounting firms that specialize in evaluating and determining the productivity of a charity and the percentage of donations that actually go to the need.
ReplyDeleteOver 90% is considered excellent by many of these groups. If you submit to one of these audits, there's a pretty decent chance that you're doing what you can to get most of the donated dollars to the needs.
There are many charities that won't submit to any sort of internal audit - because a great big chunk of the money is getting funneled to political groups or the President of the charities yacht.
The MDA reported that in its 1995 fiscal year, it paid Executive Director Robert Ross a salary of $300,000
The National Easter Seal Society's Form 990 for 1995 showed that, for the fiscal year ending August 31, 1996, it paid Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors James Williams $267,000, plus $29,343 in benefits
the Special Olympics paid Epsilon, identified as a direct mail consultant, $611,818, and telemarketing consultant Meyer Associates $552,983.
Southern California Special Olympics used Dialamerica Marketing Inc. of Mahway, NJ as a commercial fundraiser. They raised $106,560; $31,578 (29.6 percent) of that went to the Special Olympics. The group called California Special Olympics used Dialamerica Marketing Inc. of Mahway, NJ also: They raised $477,658 - of which $222,568 (46.6 percent) went to the Special Olympics. California Special Olympics also used Heritage Publishing Company of Sherwood, Arizona as a commercial fundraiser. Heritage raised $830,533 for them. Of that amount, $274,674 (33.1 percent) went to the Special Olympics.
When did conservatives start worrying about sweatshops? And conditions in countries other than our own little patriotic Christian corner of the earth? You can't be pro-capitalism and anti-sweatshop. Capitalism is built on sweatshops.
ReplyDeleteOk, I was poking a little conservative-liberal fun.
ReplyDeleteMurph, those stats are disgusting.
So, what do you suggest? Give local is a good start, I suppose?
I liked your yacht comment ;).
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ReplyDeletewhen did liberals start stereotyping and being so intolerant of folks with different opinions?
ReplyDeleteyou see what I did there?
local isn't a bad way to start...you can see everything first hand. It's hard to hide stuff from the locals.
who said i was conservative? i'm pretty sure i've established myself on this blog, as well as on my own, as someone who stands just slightly left of center on a great number of issues, especially when it comes to the poor...
ReplyDeletebe careful of the stereotypes and assumptions you so readily sling into the mix. it's a lesson i've learned through similar discussions here.