to think 'Christian Aid' is a religious charity?

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

A woman came to my house this evening to collect a Christian aid envelope that had been posted through our letterbox last week. I looked for it but I think it had gone to the recycling bin and I had no intention of giving any money as

1. I do not give to religious charities I prefer secular.

2. I do not like people coming to my house to ask for money - no matter the ccause - I like to choose when and how to make my donations.

I told the woman this and she made a very sour face and said 'well we are not a religious charity' as I bade her a firm goodnight and shut the door.

I do appreciate that Christian aid are doing there best to help people all over the world in very difficult situations and not just evanglalising to the poor. But they are still imo a religious charity - so I prefer not to donate to them - or Sally Army etc. There are plenty of good works being done by other charities without religious affiliations so I do not have to.

YANBU to think that Christian Aid is most certainly a religious charity. They are indeed doing lots of great work in the secular world, with people in great need. Therefore, if you don't give to religious charities, you don't give to Christian Aid fair enough.

Christian Aid collectors unlike most other charities who knock on doors these days, are volunteers from local churches. They are not evangelising - just collecting envelopes with donations for people in need. All that is required is to hand over the empty envelope if you so wish (or leave on doorstep if empty). For what it's worth I think your explanation was reasonable, and if the woman collecting didn't realise it was a Christian charity I think she must be missing someting - especially as she is likely to be a member of a local church.

I am nervous about collecting in the envelopes I have distributed now...

On point 1) YABU and on point 2) YANBU

Christian Aid doesnt promote 'religion' nor does it preach converson to benefit.

Great - because I am not giving to one charity and do not like the way they are collecting - I am a rich uncaring westerner. Ok. Holier than thou. I am not saying ban this collection - just saying I am not obliged to give to them or accept that CA is 'not religious' - [disclaimer]other charities are also available

I was directing it more at Animation but yes anyone who truly objects to having a couple of minutes of their time disturbed by someone harmlessly collecting for starving people is a bit mean.

Of course nobody is obliged to give to them but seriously, they are helping the world's poorest people, whilst we are in a tiny percentage of the world's most fortunate people, I think it's pretty low to begrudge someone asking for money for the world's poorest. You don't have to give but to actually begrudge being asked?

That's not being holier than thou, it's just humane.

You meant different things by "religious charity" is all.

Clementinebelle

Oh dear - who needs a conscience with you around!

It's sad if you think I'm being preachy Animation - you'd have to be pretty hard hearted not to care about these people, surely?

It is an effective way to collect chugging is as well - do not like it - do not have to - if that makes me a big blue meany then I suppose I will have to find a way to live with myself.

Btw I do accept that many people will find theis an unreasonable stance - I wanted to know differing views as dh is as bad as me

Clementinebelle

Yes, I think you're making some sanctimonious assumptions.

I've said that I don't believe that knocking on doors for money is the best way of collecting for charity - nor is following it up with a guilt inducing lecture.

I just think you might think differently if you ever needed one of the charities that you resent asking you for money....Shelter, Marie Curie .... though I hope you never do of course. I can't begrudge anyone asking me for money to help people in a crap situation, I guess I find it hard to understand why anyone would.

DH gave christian aid some money when they knocked for the envelope - no problem with them, nor the Samaritans or any of the others who put envelopes through. Can't see any harm in giving a small amount of money to Sally Army or Christian Aid in an envelope throught he door, they are religious themselves but help people unconditionally YABU.

Agree it's not a good idea to argue with people on their doorsteps, YANBU on that, she should've accepted that without comment.

We've had agency people working for charities at the doorstep giving us the heavy sell, they'd go on for ages and wanted a commitment to give to the charity, that's out of order imo.

I took my children round to collect the envelopes with me yesterday, hoping that people wouldn't be as rude if they were there. I go to church, our church helps do the envelopes all over our village, and I do a round. I don't care if you give or not, I am doing a job on behalf of the church. I try and include a little note when I drop off the envelopes stating when I will call to collect, and suggesting they leave it on the doorstep if they don't want to be disturbed.

But Animation, they collect millions every year, so the figures speak for themselves - it obviously is a good way to collect! I'm not sanctimonious - I think that's your conscience talking!

If you are going to do it Judd - that is the way I suppose - I am sure you will not argue with unwilling donors. It is a thankless task I am afraid.

But there was no lecture in the OP. Merely a comment. I expect Christian Aid have worked out that it is a pretty good way of collecting money. They've been doing it for a long time, and they collect a lot.

I am the worst for being snippy with people bothering me in my own home ie - double glazing salespeople, JW's etc. I also dislike chuggers coming to my door, as they are paid to recruit direct debit payments to charities it is highly unlikely they support.

HOWEVER, Christian Aid Week has been going on for decades, the envelopes are distributed and collected by volunteers who do not enter into conversation about religion and the money is spent on amazing overseas work. I always try and support the collection as my Grandmother used to be a collector and went out in all weathers well into her eighties to support the week.

YANBU to think that Christian Aid is a religious charity (but you knew that), YANBU to decline to support/donate to the collection, but imho YWBU to enter into discussion/imparting your reasoning with the collector (who has probably been tramping the streets for hours) instead of just politely declining. I think it is a bit mean to come on here and describe her "sour face".

If you have 56 houses to call at and the first person is funny with you for simply saying "Hello, I've come for your Christian Aid envelope" then the rest of your round is hardly likely to fill you with joy ! I hope you were your lady's last house......

Clementinebelle

Ooh I thought you were my conscience!

That is the expression she made with her face when I said I wasn't donating her face was lovely and serene before - hth

Tbh I did not think I was being 'funny' I just explained to the person at my door why they were not getting any money from me - I thought that would help! Silly me

My mum used to collect Christian Aid envelopes up until recently (she's 81 now!) for her church, I used to go with her when I was a child so I can sympathise with the collector. Although the collector shouldn't have entered into any argument.

Judd, most people were pleased to give something, mostly small amounts with the envelope collections

I'm a liberal anglican and I lurve Christian Aid. A Christian charity which doesn't feel the need to prey on the souls of people suffering massive trauma. Hand out thy dosh, I pray thee.

YABU

If 'Muslim Aid', 'Jewish Aid' came collecting to my door I'd give to them providing the end cause was justified. I'm sure the funds Christian Aid raise help go to help everyone, regardless of religion.