Haiti - it's NOT about "aid"

[grammafreddy]

I doubt anyone in haiti questions the motive for the help.

I wonder how many negative posters here would refuse shelter,food or water because it came from a religious group.

That's kind of the point of this whole discussion, isn't it? If absolute necessity dictates that they accept the "help" regardless of the price, the price in this case being a requirement to accept the promotion of someone else's religious beliefs, then one has to question the true motivations of the donors. Is this a case of rank opportunism in exploiting a people in dire need? Are the recipients given the freedom to choose what to accept and what not to? Food and shelter and medical aid without the sermon?

Exactly, Fluffy.

I doubt anyone in haiti questions the motive for the help.

I wonder how many negative posters here would refuse shelter,food or water because it came from a religious group.

That's kinda my point - these are desperate people and the churches take advantage of that to push their doctrine while they are handing out aid. They are after converts to increase their numbers to gain greater strength for their religions and more power for their church leaders. They take advantage of people in dire situations and try to convert them to their brand of brainwashing - whatever it is.

Interesting use of words. "rank opportunism" I don't believe the basic needs given are attached to a sermon. The op does mention the life skills classes offered do have religious doctrine.

Still I don't have a problem with people helping other people just to listen to their opinion. We all have the free will to believe what we want.

Ya right - we're talking orphan kids here - young ones. These kids don't have parents to guide them or to provide for them. IMO the various religions are doing this "helping" with the sole purpose of brainwashing with their religious doctrine. That voodoo-ism would be highly frowned upon by the so-called Christian religions.

[zzontar]

They are after converts to increase their numbers to gain greater strength for their religions and more power for their church leaders. They take advantage of people in dire situations and try to convert them to their brand of brainwashing - whatever it is.

So they're converting them from Christianity to what again? You call this a dire situation, Cliffy says it's all just to kick a ball around. Perhaps you two should get together and decide.

[grammafreddy]

They are after converts to increase their numbers to gain greater strength for their religions and more power for their church leaders. They take advantage of people in dire situations and try to convert them to their brand of brainwashing - whatever it is.

So they're converting them from Christianity to what again? You call this a dire situation, Cliffy says it's all just to kick a ball around. Perhaps you two should get together and decide.

What a stupid response.

[zzontar]

Yes, Gramma, but to keep harping about how a Christian country is getting "converted" to Christianity isn't.

[5VP]

Where does one sign up to go on this "mission"??

[grammafreddy]

Yes, Gramma, but to keep harping about how a Christian country is getting "converted" to Christianity isn't.

Considering I didn't say that, your responses just get dumber.

[zzontar]

Yes, Gramma, but to keep harping about how a Christian country is getting "converted" to Christianity isn't.

Considering I didn't say that, your responses just get dumber.

Sorry Gramma, when you said

They take advantage of people in dire situations and try to convert them to their brand of brainwashing - whatever it is.

what did you mean?

[cutter7]

I understand what you are saying grandma and I agree the religious groups do show up when people are in dire straits. Thank god for that.

Unless you can show me some negative teaching the christians are giving I will support what these people are doing.

[grammafreddy]

Yes, Gramma, but to keep harping about how a Christian country is getting "converted" to Christianity isn't.

Considering I didn't say that, your responses just get dumber.

Sorry Gramma, when you said

They take advantage of people in dire situations and try to convert them to their brand of brainwashing - whatever it is.

what did you mean?

I meant they were interfering with the kind of religion these people traditionally have - which includes a strong belief in voodoo. They may also be Catholic, but they mix that with their traditional beliefs and don't separate it out. The organized religions will be doing their best to get rid of the boogeymen and also, if they are not Catholic, to convert them to whatever their particular faith is.

I find it despicable that they prey on orphaned children this way.

[cliffy1]

With 3500 different Christian sects, there is fierce competition. Protestants don't normally consider Catholic true Christians, so saying Haiti is a Christian country and that there will not be any need to convert is just silly. These missionaries will be trying to turn these kids from traditional Catholic and Voodoo teachings to their own brand of Christianity.

BTW, I did not say they were only there to teach these kids how to kick a ball. They are using the ball as an excuse to get their hooks in these kids. I believe much of the trouble in third world countries can be attributed to do gooder missionaries.

[grammafreddy]

I believe much of the trouble in third world countries can be attributed to do gooder missionaries.

I believe much of the trouble in the whole world can be attributed to religions.

[fluffy]

If you ask me it all comes down to a hunger to dominate and control. Money, politics, religion.....they're all just tools for the same purpose.

[Glacier]

Yes, Gramma, but to keep harping about how a Christian country is getting "converted" to Christianity isn't.

I think what gramma is saying is that they are going to be trying to get them to be better Christians. It would be akin to a group of Fraser Institute capitalists going to states and trying to get them to be better capitalists.