Renthead Mommy Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Does HI help any families/villages, or do they have to be ones that are willing to convert to christianity? Or some other type of 'string' attached? I've seen it before. "Help us convert these heathens and once we do, we feed them." That doesn't sit right with me. You want to help people, help people, don't make them change their beliefs, or lie and about changing their beliefs just to get help. And I really don't like the idea of giving them my money if they do this. So can someone tell me please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Heifer is not a specifically religious organization. The original founder was Christian and they are generally supportive of "faith", so I suppose some atheists might object (as do some animal rights advocates), but it's not an evangelical organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I've seen it before. "Help us convert these heathens and once we do, we feed them." I've never heard of a Christian organization that requires conversion before help is provided. Do you have a name or names? I'd like to know myself as I don't agree with that way of working either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I've never seen anything about evangelism in any of their information. I didn't even know they had a Christian founder. They do require the recipients to take some classes, depending on the gift, but it's things like animal care and business skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Heifer is not a specifically Christian organization; it may even be secular. Here is its mission statement: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201465/?msource=kw3042 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 No, here is their mission statement: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201465/ They put 76% of the money they receive back into the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 We're Neopagan Unitarian Universalists and have felt very comfortable supporting Heifer Project for many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted November 8, 2010 Author Share Posted November 8, 2010 Thanks everyone, that makes me feel much better. Karenciavo - I don't know of any names. Ten years ago while living in NC I was told about things like this taking place. I believe it could have been China. Over the years I've heard similiar stories from others who have been dealing with missionaries/groups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Thanks everyone, that makes me feel much better. Karenciavo - I don't know of any names. Ten years ago while living in NC I was told about things like this taking place. I believe it could have been China. Over the years I've heard similiar stories from others who have been dealing with missionaries/groups. I've heard of a couple of cases like that, but they were few and usually a more radical group. Now, I have heard plenty of groups that come into an area where either a missionary is already working or an area that is already Christian for many generations, and try to disrupt things by undermining what is already there and telling them how they aren't the "right kind of Christian". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I've never heard of a Christian organization that requires conversion before help is provided. Do you have a name or names? I'd like to know myself as I don't agree with that way of working either. I don't think that most *require* conversion, but that, for our family, the bigger issue is that the mission of many groups is as much (or more) to evangelize while helping as it is to help. The helping is in service of the evangelization. I have no call or reason to participate in or support the Great Commission (or its equivalent for any other religion, for that matter). While believing that such organizations do indeed do good work, I would prefer to support those that also do very good work but do it without feeling the need to promote a specific religion. There's certainly enough need out there for everyone! I leave to their co-religionists the support of organizations whose intent is to spread their religion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted November 8, 2010 Author Share Posted November 8, 2010 I've heard of a couple of cases like that, but they were few and usually a more radical group. I'm sure it's not the norm, and am glad about that. Now, I have heard plenty of groups that come into an area where either a missionary is already working or an area that is already Christian for many generations, and try to disrupt things by undermining what is already there and telling them how they aren't the "right kind of Christian".[/quote Yes, I do remember hearing about 'christen' groups going into Catholic areas to convert them to christanity. That I really don't get! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I believe they were started by United Methodists, but have since become open to all faiths. I'm a Deist, and we donate every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted November 8, 2010 Author Share Posted November 8, 2010 I don't think that most *require* conversion, but that, for our family, the bigger issue is that the mission of many groups is as much (or more) to evangelize while helping as it is to help. The helping is in service of the evangelization. I have no call or reason to participate in or support the Great Commission (or its equivalent for any other religion, for that matter). While believing that such organizations do indeed do good work, I would prefer to support those that also do very good work but do it without feeling the need to promote a specific religion. There's certainly enough need out there for everyone! I leave to their co-religionists the support of organizations whose intent is to spread their religion. You probably worded what I meant better than I did. I agree that some of these groups do good works. Unfortunately I feel often they are using their "we're here to help' sort of as their way in the door. That feeding, cleaning water, over all helping isn't really their main goal. That's just their sales line to be able to force their beliefs system onto a group. You want to go to a group with no belief system and tell them about yours? Great. Go for it. You've given them information. They can take it or not. But to go to a group that has a cultural belief system and to tell them no your way is wrong, you must believe this, bothers me greatly. What you said is also our goal. If I'm giving you money, I want that money to go towards helping. Not towards spreading someone's religious beliefs. Thanks everyone. My son currently has a goal in mind so this has been a big help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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