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[karasu]

Rome (AsiaNews) – A month after the tsunami hit south-east Asia relief operations for the thousands of displaced are still underway, among them those organised and managed by small local Christian communities are particularly noticeable for their efficiency and solidarity.

In the diocese of Sibolga, on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, the local Church received aid from Caritas Austria. This enabled it to distribute rice and clothing to the local population.

“So far the money has been enough,” said Fr Barnabas Winkler, a Capuchin from the South Tyrol (Italy) in Indonesia for 35 years and currently the administrator for the diocese of Sibolga.

Father Winkler told AsiaNews that the Church is doing its level best to rebuild housing and roads amidst all sorts of obstacles and difficulties. More significantly, he pointed out, “the problem now is corruption and it is hindering the work”.

The Church is having difficulty in working with the government because “it wants to take 50 per cent of the money earmarked for housing reconstruction,” Father Winkler said.

The great fear in the local Church is that aid might end up in some shady deal. “We don’t want to give away the money that others gave us. What would happen then?” he asked.

What is important, the Italian missionary added is that aid money “goes to everyone.” Unfortunately, “the government wants to know how many Muslims and how many Christians we have helped but we don’t really know. We don’t keep tract of that. Someone needs something; we give it to them without asking or wanting to know their religion”.

In India, the massive relief work for tsunami victims by Caritas India in partnership with the 23 local partners has provided relief to 430,000 displaced people in 299 relief camps. The effort by Indian Catholic organisations is valued at 122 million rupees (€ 2.1 million or US$ 2.8 million): 88 million in temporary shelters, 15 in medical assistance, water and sanitation, 9 in books and school uniforms and 3 for short-term assistance. Currently, Caritas is focusing on building 2,000 new housing units

Christians from different Churches are also bringing relief to Thailand’s six southern-most provinces affected by the tsunami. At present, some 70 Catholics are working fulltime on relief operations and churchmen and women are helping orphans.

Fr Nathee Thiranuwat, from the diocese of Surat Thani, said that in his diocese many of them are providing psychological comfort to fishermen “who however traumatised they may be by the tsunami they still refuse to leave and want to stay and continue in their traditional way of life”.

Dozens of Protestant NGOs assisted by about 200 relief workers are also engaged in relief work in cooperation with government agencies.

In Sri Lanka the Archbishop of Colombo Oswald Gomis today called on all priests in his diocese to say mass in memory of the tsunami victims. Today is in fact a national day of prayer and charity for the communities stricken by the disaster. (LF

http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=2429

Thought it would be nice to post something that didn't make Christians look like ass puss. :/

 

[Socreges]

Thought it would be nice to post something that didn't make Christians look like ass puss. :/

Well, it's certainly a challenge.

 

[Boogie]

Well, it's certainly a challenge.

Classy

 

[Justin85]

The thread title needs a comma. I spent more time than I'd care to admit thinking if there was a band called the "Tsunami Christians".

 

[FightyF]

Well, there are many MANY articles relating to how Christians are abusing this tradegy, and using it for thier own twisted gains.

Here's some food, but you have to take this Bible first. What? You don't want it? Pack it up boys! Time to find some people who REALLY need our help!

 

[Jim Bowie]

The thread title needs a comma. I spent more time than I'd care to admit thinking if there was a band called the "Tsunami Christians".

Shit, there is now!

We're a five piece hardcore group out of Milwaukee. A guitar, a bass guitar, drummer, a bassoon, and lead singer.

 

[megateto]

Catholics. Caritas is a catholic organisation.

And yes, I do find a serious difference between catholics and other christians (all based on what I've read over here about USA christians, so go figure).

 

[MrAngryFace]

There's also several types of Catholics. In short, organized religion isnt very organized.

 

[Zilch]

Well, there are many MANY articles relating to how Christians are abusing this tradegy, and using it for thier own twisted gains.

Here's some food, but you have to take this Bible first. What? You don't want it? Pack it up boys! Time to find some people who REALLY need our help!

Does it really pain you to hear about Christians doing good? Stop trying to discredit the article.

There's also several types of Catholics. In short, organized religion isnt very organized.

Yeah, I bet you guys would love it if religion was one huge hivemind.

 

[Gantz]

You know, after these groups finish helping with reconstruction, they're not going to just get up and leave.

 

[Zilch]

What do you mean? There's already a lot of missionaries in Southeast Asia... I don't think they need a whole lot more.

 

[Minotauro]

Why do they have to go as Christians? Why can't they just go as concerned citizens?

 

[Boogie]

Why do they have to go as Christians? Why can't they just go as concerned citizens?

Umm, because they are Christians?

"Why does the Canadian DART team have to go as representatives of the Canadian government? Why can't they just go as concerned citizens?"

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

You know, after these groups finish helping with reconstruction, they're not going to just get up and leave.

Why should they? I'm a card carrying agnostic and I sometimes don't understand people. Why should it be a bad thing for people to find strength in their faith to do good things? Hell, newsflash everything good has been abused for some people's personal gain. It's how it works but on the whole organized religion has done more good for us as humans than it has as bad. That being said you'll still have to pay me to go to church. The bottom line is this they have come together to help those less fortunate than themselves. That is a core tenat of the Christian religion you all should be thanking your lucky stars that they are practicing their faith this way rather than painting God Hates Fags signs and planning or firebombing the local planned parenthood.

 

[Stele]

It's how it works but on the whole organized religion has done more good for us as humans than it has as bad.

That depends on what religion you're talking about. I've never heard of any Buddhist or Daoist crusades in Asia, so maybe you're right there. The three monotheistic religions -- with the cultural imperialism (religion serving as the vanguard) that decimates indigenous culture and outright war with religious pretenses -- I don't know.

 

[Guileless]

Well, there are many MANY articles relating to how Christians are abusing this tradegy, and using it for thier own twisted gains.

Here's some food, but you have to take this Bible first. What? You don't want it? Pack it up boys! Time to find some people who REALLY need our help!

Please reference one of these MANY articles that documents anything like the imaginary conversation you quoted here.

Does anyone else marvel at someone sitting in a comfortable house--eating chips and discussing how to spend their disposable income on an internet forum--questioning the motivation of missionaries helping the desperately poor who are suffering from one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history?

 

[Minotauro]

Umm, because they are Christians?

Yes but how is that really relevant? What's important is that they're there helping...not that they're representing a particular religion through their efforts. Personally, I think that cheapens the whole thing and makes it seem like they're just there promoting their particular group. Then again, I think my argument is more with the writer of the article than with the actual religious people though.

"Why does the Canadian DART team have to go as representatives of the Canadian government? Why can't they just go as concerned citizens?"

I think your analogy would work if the story was "A Month after the Tsunami, Canadian Dart aficionados are leading reconstructive efforts."

EDIT: By the way, does anyone else suspect that this is all just damage control on the part of the Christians? "No, no, our God is a loving god...really!"

 

[Boogie]

Whatever. They are who they are. I think any suggestion that they should hide who they are when they are helping is just being really anal.

 

[Minotauro]

It's not a matter of them having to hide it. It just seems somewhat crass to be like "Christians lead the charge!".

Then again, I'm about as anti-organized religion as you can imagine so I might be a bit biased in this area.

 

[MrAngryFace]

Organized religions = Agenda. Which is why ill never participate again.

 

[FightyF]

Does it really pain you to hear about Christians doing good? Stop trying to discredit the article.

It pains me to see people being offered help, if and only if they do what these missionaries want them to. It's an exploitation of a tragedy. I'm not discrediting the article, I'm addressing Karasu's "ass puss" point. Unfortunately, you can't use the Tsunami to show otherwise.

Of course, it's the evangelistic types that are ruining the image of Christianity, and this tragedy is NO EXCEPTION.

Please reference one of these MANY articles that documents anything like the imaginary conversation you quoted here.

There are many articles that demonstrate that particular charities are doing this for nefarious purposes. Ie. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6868883/ (more detail in this editorial http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...als/stories/012505dnedievangelists.d7421.html ) or even take a look at Falwell's address to his minions.

As far as not helping everyone (being very selective), and handing out Bibles as a pre-requisite for aid (a tradition that has lasted decades), you can check this out:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...20303jan22,1,4612744.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Does anyone else marvel at someone sitting in a comfortable house--eating chips and discussing how to spend their disposable income on an internet forum--questioning the motivation of missionaries helping the desperately poor who are suffering from one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history?

I definately question their motives...because I care for the people. The motives are clear in many cases...and it has nothing to do with unconditional help. That sickens me, and it SHOULD sicken anyone else who cares about the people affected by this tragedy.

It's been mentioned in these articles, and should be common knowledge that many Christian organizations are aiding people without preaching. But you can't ignore (or remain ignorant to) the whole kafuffle around many Christian organizations. I'm appalled that this is all news to you.

 

[demon]

"Je...zus? Yea, sure, I'll suck him off if you want me to......JUST GIVE ME THE DAMN TOILET PAPER."

 

[Fragamemnon]

Evangelical Christian organizations have been in that region for quite some time, doing their business of attempting to displace native religion and Islam while at the same time looking for the martytdom in hostile lands that every foreign missionary yearns for, even if they don't mention it.

The tsunami gives the organizations that are already there tons more money and tons more people. Rest assured their mandate will remain the same, only now they can deal with a population more desparate (and thus more pliable to their manipulations) with more money to build churches and community relief organizations.

The Catholic organizations are a bit more benign, I believe. It is the western protestestant evagelicals that are guilty of aid-for-faith shenanigans.

 

[Guileless]

Must register for those articles. Please summarize and quote relevant portions.

I definately question their motives...because I care for the people.

Well I can say "I care about those people" on the internet just as easily as you. My point is that some people have dedicated their lives to actually helping them, and I'm not going to criticize their efforts as long as they don't break local laws.

 

[Gantz]

...

 

[Socreges]

It's how it works but on the whole organized religion has done more good for us as humans than it has as bad.

I think it's impossible to know either way.

 

[MrAngryFace]

The crusades totally kicked ass, youre right. And yes, its possible for an organization to take back all of that by sending rice somewhere.

Sorry kids, its too obvious we cant run our own religions without pissing all over everyone, so thanks by no thanks.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

That depends on what religion you're talking about. I've never heard of any Buddhist or Daoist crusades in Asia, so maybe you're right there. The three monotheistic religions -- with the cultural imperialism (religion serving as the vanguard) that decimates indigenous culture and outright war with religious pretenses -- I don't know.

Tokugawa Hitetada would disagree with you.

 

[FightyF]

Must register for those articles. Please summarize and quote relevant portions.

Hmm...I didn't have to register for at least two of them. You can read them yourself if you head over to www.bugmenot.com

Well I can say "I care about those people" on the internet just as easily as you. My point is that some people have dedicated their lives to actually helping them, and I'm not going to criticize their efforts as long as they don't break local laws.

I've never criticized those who went over to help them. I'm criticizing those going over there for other purposes.

 

[Guileless]

The only one I could read was the MSNBC one. It dropped this bombshell about nefarious doings by missionaries:

"They have helped rebuild villages, but the New York Times also says the team spent much of its time trying to convert victims to Christianity."

I was looking for something more along the lines of your "read this Bible or starve" example. Am I, sitting at my computer and not trying to convert any South Asians, morally superior to the missionary who builds them new homes and tries to convert them to Christianity?

 

[FightyF]

I was looking for something more along the lines of your "read this Bible or starve" example.

Hmmm...let me see here...

As far as not helping everyone (being very selective), and handing out Bibles as a pre-requisite for aid (a tradition that has lasted decades), you can check this out:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...ack=1&cset=true

C'mon man...what's wrong with you? I've already posted a link, and posted a solution to get past the registration. Is there something wrong with that solution? Then say so! Don't play dumb...it's becoming routine now.

Am I, sitting at my computer and not trying to convert any South Asians, morally superior to the missionary who builds them new homes and tries to convert them to Christianity?

You have the last part wrong. You only build them new homes IF they convert to Christianity. That said, yes, you are morally superior, because you don't relish and "profit" from their desolate position. Why not just help them, like EVERYONE ELSE?

 

[GG-Duo]

It pains me to see people being offered help, if and only if they do what these missionaries want them to. It's an exploitation of a tragedy.

I agree.

However, I think what karasu meant to say is that it's nice to see an article where it's not only the exploitative Christians that are being reported in a news article. And I'm glad that he posted it.

on a related note
I'm absolutely fucking sick of the absurd religious divide we have on this board.
It's either some "big E" Evangelistic Christianity or "all organized religion = brainwash!!!1". It's insane.
There is a large, and very tolerating, middle ground that exists, but for whatever reason, it's not here.

 

[Guileless]

The Chicago Tribune story brings up an error page. The Dallas story is an editorial that talks about the New York Times article, and the MSNBC article vaugely references the New York Times article. There's no original reporting of "take this bible or starve" stories.

 

[DonasaurusRex]

Ok well if it sickens some of you so much that people bring up their religion while there, go ahead and volunteer in the affected area, and show everyone how to do it "right".

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

I agree.

However, I think what karasu meant to say is that it's nice to see an article where it's not only the exploitative Christians that are being reported in a news article. And I'm glad that he posted it.

Agree.

on a related note
I'm absolutely fucking sick of the absurd religious divide we have on this board.
It's either some "big E" Evangelistic Christianity or "all organized religion = brainwash!!!1". It's insane.
There is a large, and very tolerating, middle ground that exists, but for whatever reason, it's not here.

It's stupid no doubt. There is a large middle ground but, like most middle ground they aren't press to raise a fuss about it. They just look and shrug and go about their business.

 

[FightyF]

The Chicago Tribune story brings up an error page. The Dallas story is an editorial that talks about the New York Times article, and the MSNBC article vaugely references the New York Times article. There's no original reporting of "take this bible or starve" stories.

Wah-wah-wah, don't come crying back to me because you suck at the internet. Sheesh...

There is a large, and very tolerating, middle ground that exists, but for whatever reason, it's not here.

Well, I've always been middle ground on the subject. I post a lot. *shrugs shoulders*