Comments on: Theocracy Watch VII: Season's Warning http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 01:10:56 +0000 By: Lynne Schultz http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-27560 Lynne Schultz Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:50:02 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-27560 I found this rather late, but in case anyone's still paying attention... How about an atheist-run charity? Earthward is currently helping a family who fled their home to avoid the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. See http://earthward.org. Disclaimer: Yes, this is a charity I run and co-founded so I'm biased - but check us out. I found this rather late, but in case anyone's still paying attention...

How about an atheist-run charity? Earthward is currently helping a family who fled their home to avoid the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. See http://earthward.org.

Disclaimer: Yes, this is a charity I run and co-founded so I'm biased - but check us out.

]]> By: andrea http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10521 andrea Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:06:28 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10521 Oxfam is also another good and I belive, secular organization. They at least teach people how to live as well as giving them food. I give to them and to my local humane society type organizations. Oxfam is also another good and I belive, secular organization. They at least teach people how to live as well as giving them food. I give to them and to my local humane society type organizations.

]]> By: stillwaters http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10491 stillwaters Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:29:00 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10491 Also for Doug: I reiterate what others have said. I used to give to any charity, figuring it went to a good cause, regardless of religious affiliation. But I have since changed my giving habits. I absolutely refuse to give to any religious organization. I have had enough of them. If they want money, they can get it from theists, not atheists. Why should I support them when they don't support me? I haven't given to those red kettles for several years now, and I don't feel a bit of guilt about it. I give only to secular charities anymore. There are plenty of other, secular, charities that you can give to. Ebonmuse mentioned Second Harvest. We have a member of Second Harvest here in KC, called <a href="http://www.harvesters.org/" rel="nofollow">Harvesters</a> which is a secular food bank charity. They collect where I work, either canned goods or money. I always give them something when they are collecting - it makes me feel good, both for helping others as well as for not supporting a religious organization. Also, check out the Red Cross. From what I understand, they are secular as well. <!-- Links: 1 Link text: 10 Total: 861 Ratio: 0.0116144018583 --> Also for Doug:
I reiterate what others have said. I used to give to any charity, figuring it went to a good cause, regardless of religious affiliation. But I have since changed my giving habits. I absolutely refuse to give to any religious organization. I have had enough of them. If they want money, they can get it from theists, not atheists. Why should I support them when they don't support me? I haven't given to those red kettles for several years now, and I don't feel a bit of guilt about it. I give only to secular charities anymore.

There are plenty of other, secular, charities that you can give to. Ebonmuse mentioned Second Harvest. We have a member of Second Harvest here in KC, called Harvesters which is a secular food bank charity. They collect where I work, either canned goods or money. I always give them something when they are collecting - it makes me feel good, both for helping others as well as for not supporting a religious organization.

Also, check out the Red Cross. From what I understand, they are secular as well.

]]> By: Jeromy http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10460 Jeromy Mon, 04 Dec 2006 23:07:42 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10460 I looked on the SA web site and found one employment opportunity. It is pasted below. There is no mention of religious requirements. I am going to stop at the Salvation Army on the way home and ask them for an application. I am going to fill it out and request part time employment. If one wishes to become a SOLDIER of the SA, one must be of faith. Adherents and Officers are members of the church, and one would assume that any desire to do that would involve the irrational faith. On the other hand, if one wishes EMPLOYMENT, faith is not mentioned (so far as I have seen.) An employment ad from the SA: ________________________________________________________________________________ Driver/Custodian Acts as the official driver to the National Commander; performs various janitorial and light maintenance duties related to the operation of the building and special events/groups; serves as the primary daily relief for the switchboard and as otherwise needed; serves as backup for the Mailroom Services Operator; assists in room setup for conferences/groups/chapel; maintains the cleanliness of various areas in the building; makes area errand runs as needed; delivers packages to the appropriate locations; responds to alarm/building intrusions after operating hours when security back up is unavailable; unloads and stores deliveries; assists kitchen staff with major clean ups; assists in providing local job-related transportation as needed; maintains outside sidewalks/entrance ways, garage, and grounds area as requested. Minimum Requirements:High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency & up to 6 months experience preferred, a valid driver’s license with evidence of a good driving record. Must be able to satisfactorily pass the DMV clearance system. ___________________________________________________________________________________ I will post again tomorrow or the next day and let you all know the results of my application for employment with the SA. I will make no mention of religious beliefs, or lack thereof, in my application. -Jeromy <!-- Links: 0 Link text: 0 Total: 1750 Ratio: 0 --> I looked on the SA web site and found one employment opportunity. It is pasted below. There is no mention of religious requirements. I am going to stop at the Salvation Army on the way home and ask them for an application. I am going to fill it out and request part time employment.

If one wishes to become a SOLDIER of the SA, one must be of faith. Adherents and Officers are members of the church, and one would assume that any desire to do that would involve the irrational faith.

On the other hand, if one wishes EMPLOYMENT, faith is not mentioned (so far as I have seen.)

An employment ad from the SA:
________________________________________________________________________________
Driver/Custodian

Acts as the official driver to the National Commander; performs various janitorial and light maintenance duties related to the operation of the building and special events/groups; serves as the primary daily relief for the switchboard and as otherwise needed; serves as backup for the Mailroom Services Operator; assists in room setup for conferences/groups/chapel; maintains the cleanliness of various areas in the building; makes area errand runs as needed; delivers packages to the appropriate locations; responds to alarm/building intrusions after operating hours when security back up is unavailable; unloads and stores deliveries; assists kitchen staff with major clean ups; assists in providing local job-related transportation as needed; maintains outside sidewalks/entrance ways, garage, and grounds area as requested. Minimum Requirements:High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency & up to 6 months experience preferred, a valid driver’s license with evidence of a good driving record. Must be able to satisfactorily pass the DMV clearance system.
___________________________________________________________________________________

I will post again tomorrow or the next day and let you all know the results of my application for employment with the SA. I will make no mention of religious beliefs, or lack thereof, in my application.

-Jeromy

]]> By: bassmanpete http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10454 bassmanpete Mon, 04 Dec 2006 11:07:29 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10454 Why not donate to an animal charity? My favourite is the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Their ship, the Farley Mowat, is leaving Melbourne this week heading for Antarctica in an attempt to stop the Japanese whalers. Distressing as human suffering and deaths may be, on a global scale they are relatively unimportant, but when a species goes extinct, that's it. Too many humans treat the world as if it was made just for them and that they're somehow separate from the rest of nature. They're not, and one day, if they don't take more care, they'll drive one species too many to extinction and all of us will follow. By donating to human charities you're just compounding the problem. Example, the Boxing Day tsunami. Many fishing fleets were destroyed but, on the positive side, here was a chance for fish stocks in the area to recover. But what did the aid agencies do? Not only did they donate new fishing boats but they were bigger and better than the destroyed ones plus they were fitted with fish-finding equipment. They think they're being compassionate & humane but, by putting humans ahead of every other consideration, they're just digging a grave for all of us. <!-- Links: 0 Link text: 0 Total: 981 Ratio: 0 --> Why not donate to an animal charity? My favourite is the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Their ship, the Farley Mowat, is leaving Melbourne this week heading for Antarctica in an attempt to stop the Japanese whalers.

Distressing as human suffering and deaths may be, on a global scale they are relatively unimportant, but when a species goes extinct, that's it. Too many humans treat the world as if it was made just for them and that they're somehow separate from the rest of nature. They're not, and one day, if they don't take more care, they'll drive one species too many to extinction and all of us will follow. By donating to human charities you're just compounding the problem.

Example, the Boxing Day tsunami. Many fishing fleets were destroyed but, on the positive side, here was a chance for fish stocks in the area to recover. But what did the aid agencies do? Not only did they donate new fishing boats but they were bigger and better than the destroyed ones plus they were fitted with fish-finding equipment. They think they're being compassionate & humane but, by putting humans ahead of every other consideration, they're just digging a grave for all of us.

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10450 Ebonmuse Mon, 04 Dec 2006 05:20:07 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10450 I've also heard good things about Second Harvest, which helps feed the hungry with surplus food from grocery stores and restaurants that's perfectly good but would otherwise have been thrown out and wasted. In any case, there are plenty of secular alternatives to explicitly religious groups like the Salvation Army, so we atheists can know we've done a good deed without inadvertently advancing a religious aim we don't support. For Doug, I second Bechamel's suggestion: why not keep a jar in your house and toss your change into it each day, and at the end of the month donate that amount to charity? I've also heard good things about Second Harvest, which helps feed the hungry with surplus food from grocery stores and restaurants that's perfectly good but would otherwise have been thrown out and wasted. In any case, there are plenty of secular alternatives to explicitly religious groups like the Salvation Army, so we atheists can know we've done a good deed without inadvertently advancing a religious aim we don't support.

For Doug, I second Bechamel's suggestion: why not keep a jar in your house and toss your change into it each day, and at the end of the month donate that amount to charity?

]]> By: Kate http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10445 Kate Sun, 03 Dec 2006 20:21:32 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10445 Thanks for this post- it's difficult sometimes to find charities which are truly charitable and with a benign agenda. Or atleast an agenda that I'm behind. The Check Out Hunger program is a great one, though! Food Not Bombs is nice despite the ir sometimes-obnoxious members. And hey, if you can't find a charity, go into a shop, buy a sandwich and hand it to the first homeless person you see. <!-- Links: 0 Link text: 0 Total: 327 Ratio: 0 --> Thanks for this post- it's difficult sometimes to find charities which are truly charitable and with a benign agenda. Or atleast an agenda that I'm behind.

The Check Out Hunger program is a great one, though! Food Not Bombs is nice despite the ir sometimes-obnoxious members. And hey, if you can't find a charity, go into a shop, buy a sandwich and hand it to the first homeless person you see.

]]> By: The Ridger http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10444 The Ridger Sun, 03 Dec 2006 15:24:33 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10444 My local grocery store runs a food for the hungry program - you just add $1, 2 or 5 to your total at the checkout, pick up a coupon, they scan it in, and voila. I've taken to dropping that coupon in the SA kettle to avoid disturbing the bell-ringers, who probably don't have much to do with the Army... Heck, several years ago my mother rang for them, and she's not in the Army at all. Anyway, there are usually other places to take that 75 cents, though I expect it will go to feed people. I wouldn't feel too bad about dropping change in the kettle, though I haven't done it since 2001; but don't make any big donations to them. There are plenty of organizations that can make better use of your money. <!-- Links: 0 Link text: 0 Total: 575 Ratio: 0 --> My local grocery store runs a food for the hungry program - you just add $1, 2 or 5 to your total at the checkout, pick up a coupon, they scan it in, and voila. I've taken to dropping that coupon in the SA kettle to avoid disturbing the bell-ringers, who probably don't have much to do with the Army... Heck, several years ago my mother rang for them, and she's not in the Army at all.

Anyway, there are usually other places to take that 75 cents, though I expect it will go to feed people. I wouldn't feel too bad about dropping change in the kettle, though I haven't done it since 2001; but don't make any big donations to them. There are plenty of organizations that can make better use of your money.

]]> By: Bechamel http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10443 Bechamel Sun, 03 Dec 2006 14:11:36 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10443 Doug - One idea would be to set aside whatever change you'd have dropped into the kettle each time, then after noise pollution---er, bell ringing---season ends, take the money, add a little bit more (another handful of change or round up to the next dollar or five), and give it to a real charity. That way, the money will definitely be going to a good cause, and you'll be donating more. No guilt required. <!-- Links: 0 Link text: 0 Total: 336 Ratio: 0 --> Doug - One idea would be to set aside whatever change you'd have dropped into the kettle each time, then after noise pollution---er, bell ringing---season ends, take the money, add a little bit more (another handful of change or round up to the next dollar or five), and give it to a real charity. That way, the money will definitely be going to a good cause, and you'll be donating more. No guilt required.

]]> By: Doug http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10442 Doug Sun, 03 Dec 2006 06:19:54 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2006/12/theocracy-watch-vii.html#comment-10442 Bleh, I had no idea. And to think I gave them my hard earned 0.75 the other day! Just kidding actually, I am almost certain that that 0.75 will actually help some hungry person. Also its quite likely that had that kettle ringer not been there, that 0.75 would still be in my pocket and not helping to feed someone. So a dilemma: as a student I do not regularily donate much to charity, the extent being small donations such as the one I gave. Do I stop dropping money in those kettles? Do I find some local secular charity, donate $10 and be done with it (while feeling guilty everytime I walk into the grocery store?) Or should I just continue, hoping that all of my donation to that kettle actually equates food? In the end, I don't imagine that I'll stop dropping change into the kettles, though I certainly will think twice about it. <!-- Links: 0 Link text: 0 Total: 684 Ratio: 0 --> Bleh, I had no idea. And to think I gave them my hard earned 0.75 the other day!

Just kidding actually, I am almost certain that that 0.75 will actually help some hungry person. Also its quite likely that had that kettle ringer not been there, that 0.75 would still be in my pocket and not helping to feed someone.

So a dilemma: as a student I do not regularily donate much to charity, the extent being small donations such as the one I gave. Do I stop dropping money in those kettles? Do I find some local secular charity, donate $10 and be done with it (while feeling guilty everytime I walk into the grocery store?) Or should I just continue, hoping that all of my donation to that kettle actually equates food?

In the end, I don't imagine that I'll stop dropping change into the kettles, though I certainly will think twice about it.

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