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Sparks · 10-16-2007, 03:59 PM

I think he does have a good point. These organizations do have religion as part of the package. By supporting these organizations, you are supporting their message and its religious agenda.

BUT

I don't mean to imply that they think of themselves as having an agenda. They probably believe that they are doing the kids a favour by preaching Christianity. In some cases, maybe it improves the kids' mental well-being - I don't know. I still consider it offensive and demeaning. These kids probably have local religions which are just as valid as Christianity, and to suggest otherwise is unabashedly ethnocentric.

Most importantly, other than the Christian thing, I think what they do is absolutely fantastic. I can't stress that enough. The religious aspect isn't reason enough to not support them and do nothing instead. I just would prefer secular options a thousand times over, and I believe the original poster feels the same.

10-16-2007, 03:59 PM	#16
Sparks Scoring Winger Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Exp:	I think he does have a good point. These organizations do have religion as part of the package. By supporting these organizations, you are supporting their message and its religious agenda. BUT I don't mean to imply that they think of themselves as having an agenda. They probably believe that they are doing the kids a favour by preaching Christianity. In some cases, maybe it improves the kids' mental well-being - I don't know. I still consider it offensive and demeaning. These kids probably have local religions which are just as valid as Christianity, and to suggest otherwise is unabashedly ethnocentric. Most importantly, other than the Christian thing, I think what they do is absolutely fantastic. I can't stress that enough. The religious aspect isn't reason enough to not support them and do nothing instead. I just would prefer secular options a thousand times over, and I believe the original poster feels the same. Last edited by Sparks; 10-16-2007 at 04:02 PM.