We
live in a world where discrimination is not acceptable. That is totally cool, so tell me why is it
that many businesses, organisations and funding bodies have a policy whereby
they will not support religious organisations?
Let
us for a minute have a look at the type of services religious organisations in
Australia provide, looking at the ones we see every day in our own town. Anglicare provides much needed support for
our elderly people, they provide help at home, nursing and a range of services
that enable people to live in their own homes longer, they coordinate foster
and kinship care for vulnerable children, they offer disability, youth, mental
health and family support services and so much more. Imagine our community without this care and
support for our elderly, vulnerable, lonely and young. Who in their right mind would not want to
support the work of this organisation?
Then we have St Vincent de Paul, an organisation committed to addressing
poverty in our community. Their website
says “There is no magic solution to poverty.
It takes compassion, commitment and money” and that is what Vinnies
offers. Not only do they have their
donation centres they are committed to social justice. They literally “Speak up for those who
cannot speak for themselves, protect the rights of those who are helpless.
Speak out and pronounce a sentence of justice, defend the cause of the wretched
and the poor." (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Again, imagine society without people dedicated to the pursuit of social
justice and overcoming poverty.
Thirdly we have Salvation
Army. Who is at the heart of every
emergency and disaster in this country? It
is the Salvation Army. Did you know that
across Australia in a typical week the Salvation Army provides 100,000 meals
for the hungry; 2000 beds for the homeless; 5000-8000 food vouchers; 1000
people with assistance to find employment; refuge to 500 victims of child
abuse; assistance to 500 addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling; several
thousand people with counselling; 3000 people with aged care services, 40
people in the court system with chaplaincy programs and family tracing services
which locate 40 missing family members.
This is just one week. Again, why
would you not want to support this wonderful work?
I personally know of dozens of
Christian organisations in Australia who help our brothers and sisters all over
the world. They save babies from pit
toilets, rescue young girls from sex slavery, feed starving babies and mothers,
provide life changing surgery to women who would otherwise remain shunned by
society and offer clean drinking water to remote communities. These religious organisations, who will not
be funded or supported by numerous organisations and agencies, make the world a
better place. Often they are the only
ones brave enough to address issues that other people shy from. They are not without their problems, just like
every other organisation they are not perfect but surely no one can argue the
work they do isn’t worthwhile and worthy of financial support. What do you think?
Absolutely agree!
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