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Support The Victims of Japan's Earthquake With Your Loose Change

blog.swipegood.com

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Re: Support The Victims of Japan's Earthquake With Your Loose Change

#22

For full disclosure, WorldVision is a Christian evangelical organization that only hires Christians for its staff: http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/about/hr-requirements... I don't mean to deter anyone from donating. I just thought people might like to know about the charity before they donate.

This comment struck me as a bit ugly. Here is why.

First, it includes the word "evangelical", but nothing in the HR requirements says, "You must also spread the Word to those you help." I understand that some sects of evangelical Christians have been getting into the news for the last 10 years in negative ways (and I understand the reaction), but I have not yet seen a relationship between those extremists and this group.

Second, it promotes hate against a group. Why did you think this statement was important or relevant? You pose it, and the question that comes to mind is, "Wait... should we care?"

If you are going to post about a charity's effectiveness, post something relevant, such as documentation about where the money is going, what actions the group has actually taken. What a sad world when it is acceptable -- an upvoted comment! -- to judge a group by their religious preference rather than by their actions.

Re: Support The Victims of Japan's Earthquake With Your Loose Change

#23
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

the point is that charities are run for the benefit of people who control them.

I tend to agree...but would you apply that statement to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation as well?

it's important to say that Bill Gates doesn't give charity his own taxed income... by moving his equity into his foundation, he is essentially avoiding capital gains tax and dividend tax. I'm not saying that taxes are good but we all have to pay them. super-rich have all these smart schemes to pay in taxes as little as possible.

As long as Bill Gates foundation spends 5% of his equity on charity annually, you can't call him philanthropist since 5% rate is exactly what IRS requires charities to do as long as they want to keep their tax exempt status. When Bill Gates starts giving to charity more than he is legally required, then I'll change my opinion.

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