To those people who claim that Hurricane Katrina was a judgement on some sort of immoral behaviour - be that homosexuality, abortion or whatever - I want to let a picture speak for me:
Everyone suffered, whether moral or immoral, and everyone deserves compassion. It’s more than a little worrying to read in “Giving Patterns Reveal Increasing Focus on Those ‘Worthy’ of Compassion“
It took only 10 days after the hurricane hit the Gulf Coast for donors to exceed $602 million for relief efforts, according to data tracked by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Similarly, 10 days after the attacks of Sept. 11, Americans had donated $239 million to relief efforts.A quick glance at the big picture reveals an increasingly generous public. Total annual giving to all charities has climbed steadily from $231 billion in 2001 to $249 billion in 2004.
But closer scrutiny reveals that giving to human service causes - including legal services, food pantries and rehabilitation for ex-convicts - has declined every year from a $22.1 billion peak in 2001 to $19.2 billion in 2004. Hardest hit: small organizations, raising less than $1 million per year, received 3.4 percent less from private donors in 2004 than in 2003, according to Giving USA 2005.
If I say much more I am liable to put into print something I will regret later, as I have strong feelings toward certain segments of the community who feel it’s their place to interpret events, putting their warped spin on them be that political or theological. Folks, listen to what God himself says and stop trying to speak for him:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:44-48 (King James Version)