Some religions want to destroy us, because we’re so different from them. Thank God Christians have the Golden Rule. Then, again, it appears in the sacred writings of most religions, commanding followers to show compassion and mercy. But we have the 10 Commandments. Which came from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and are spread throughout the Qur’an. Jesus emphasized caring for the poor and vulnerable. Mmmm…there are those other statements: “the key of Paradise is love for the poor” (Islam); “rescue the weak and needy” (Judaism); “give, even though it be little” (Buddhism); give “to the homeless, distressed man” (Hinduism). And all major religions either support organ donation or declare it a personal decision. Could it be that the violence in our world is caused by misguided individuals, not by people trying to live out the positive beliefs of their faith? And by people who fear religions because they don’t understand them? We should celebrate our sameness allow our diverse family to come together. That should defeat the misguided few and those who perpetuate violence against people of other faiths.
Tag Archive for vulnerable
Helping Nepal Sensibly
Before you donate money to help the people of Napal, be sure the organization you’ll give your money to can–and will–actually do the job. Some are well-meaning but don’t have the resources or experience to handle such a large task. And some are out-and-out scams, preying on the vulnerable and our emotions.
Here’s a list of ones that have been vetted and are already helping in Nepal. You can read a little about each and get a link to each at http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-25/how-help-nepal-7-vetted-charities-doing-relief-work-following-earthquake.
The organizations are (in alpha order) AmeriCares, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Direct Relief, GlobalGiving, International Relief Teams, Operation USA, Save the Children, Seva Foundation, and World Help. Two others currently working over there are UNICEF and Oxfam, also described on that webpage.
The people of Napal need every cent they can get to find their lost loved ones, recover, and rebuild. Make sure that every penny you give actually helps them.
Where are the Homeless?
I thought it a good sign when the homeless hanging around Snell and Blossom Hill Road near my home were disappearing, that maybe the improving economy meant many of them were being able to make better lives for themselves and their families. Not so. They’re just trying to find better shelter for the winter. Despite a healthier economy, homelessness has increased. A good example is San Jose–smack dab in the middle of bustling Silicon Valley–where homelessness has increased 18% over last year. In other words, the fight isn’t over for many men, women, and children who are on our streets because they have no place else to go.
It’s very, very important that we don’t forget these vulnerable people–those on the streets and those who are on the edge and ready to fall off into homelessness. Especially in this season of open hearts.
Help these people by contributing time, goods, and money to shelters, food banks, church food pantries, kitchens that serve meals, clothes closets (for basics and for clothes appropriate for job interviews), and other organizations that serve the homeless and other poor. Watch out for friends, neighbors, or co-workers on the brink of losing their jobs or homes–or who would benefit greatly by being invited to dinner at your house.
If you’re a member of a religion, your faith calls you to do this. If you’re an agnostic or atheist, your humanity demands it.
Let People SNAP Back
As America struggles to pull itself out of a devastating economic slump, 48 million of us have just had their chances of survival pushed even farther down. The average food-stamp cut of $36 a month (for a family of four) doesn’t seem like much to some of us. But how many of us could adequately feed our family on $632 a month? (If you think you spend less, save your receipts for a month and add them up.)
SNAP—the largest anti-hunger program in our country—affects many people. Those receiving food stamps can provide food for themselves and their families, nourishment that helps children learn in school, parents to keep up strength for jobs, and bodies to remain healthier. These people also shop at dollar stores, discount grocery stores, and the like; spending less hits those businesses hard. Other businesses are hurt, as well, because food comes first and “extras” like clothing and household goods come second.
SNAP was raised in 2009 to help meet the needs of vulnerable Americans who lost their jobs and were otherwise caught in the terrible recession. That was the humane action to take. Yes, the recession is over, but our recovery is not. If we are to recover fully we should not reduce SNAP. We need to give all of our citizens a chance to fight their way from the economic edge. Now is NOT the time to pull the rug out from under their feet. Besides, feeding the poor is the moral thing to do.