{"id":36462,"date":"2016-09-07T10:20:17","date_gmt":"2016-09-07T16:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/danpeterson\/?p=36462"},"modified":"2016-09-07T10:20:17","modified_gmt":"2016-09-07T16:20:17","slug":"another-note-regarding-the-disdain-shown-in-some-quarters-for-mormon-humanitarian-assistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/danpeterson\/2016\/09\/another-note-regarding-the-disdain-shown-in-some-quarters-for-mormon-humanitarian-assistance.html","title":{"rendered":"Another note regarding the disdain shown in some quarters for Mormon humanitarian assistance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Guy<\/a>
It\u2019s a tough audience.
(Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the region\u00a0of the ex-Mormon web that I watch, I\u2019m seeing fierce disapproval of the humanitarian efforts of the Church. \u00a0The occasion for what seems to be a recent spike in such denunciations is the massive clean-up effort mounted by the Church in the wake of flooding in Louisiana.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Church doesn\u2019t do enough<\/em>, say the critics.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Its volunteers typically wear yellow vests or tee shirts saying \u201cMormon Helping Hands,\u201d which, the critics say, shows that it\u2019s really all about corporate branding and that Mormons<\/a> ignore the\u00a0New Testament\u2019s counsel to give your alms in private.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mormons are doing it, the critics assert, not because they really care about others, but in order to earn brownie points in heaven.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Church only helps its own people, say the critics; it cares nothing for non-Mormons.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sigh.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll respond, very briefly, in order:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

One wonders how much the critics<\/em> are doing. \u00a0(Sneering at people who\u2019re trying to help may not, itself, count as disaster relief.) \u00a0It\u2019s well documented that secularists tend, by and large, to give less \u2014 less money, less time, less volunteer labor \u2014 to charity than religious believers do.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many<\/em> organizations have their volunteers wear distinguishing outfits. \u00a0(Take a look at the photos on\u00a0the website of Catholic Relief Services<\/a>\u00a0for some examples beyond those shown below.)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Red<\/a>
Corporate PR, not charity?
(Wikimedia Commons public domain)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A volunteer for \"All Hands\"<\/a>
All Hands Volunteers was founded in 2005
(Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Just another selfish corporation, like the Mormons.
(Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Such clothing\u00a0makes it possible for people in tough situations to recognize \u201cofficial\u201d helpers (and sometimes, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to hear, to distinguish such helpers from looters and other opportunists). \u00a0Victims can thereby tell those who\u2019ve come as workers to help from those who might simply be fellow victims. \u00a0Distinguishing garb also helps people on the \u201cteam\u201d to identify other members of the \u201cteam.\u201d \u00a0And, of course, yellow is a bright color that can be helpful for safety.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If we say nothing about what the Church is doing, we\u2019re condemned for doing nothing. \u00a0If we say anything about what the Church is doing, we\u2019re condemned for arrogant boasting and base motives.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stories about Church humanitarian relief are inspiring to me and, I suspect, to others. \u00a0I\u2019m motivated to contribute myself and, when and if the opportunity arises, to contribute my own time and labor.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is a good thing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally, the accusation that Latter-day Saint charitable service is motivated by selfishness is simply unsustainable and pretty obviously embittered slander, and the allegation that Mormons never help non-Mormons is demonstrably false (in Louisiana right now, as in many, many other places).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

You probably know the saying: \u00a0When you point with your\u00a0finger to condemn others, most of your fingers are typically pointing right back at you<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 \u00a0 In the region\u00a0of the ex-Mormon web that I watch, I\u2019m seeing fierce disapproval of the humanitarian efforts of the Church. \u00a0The occasion for what seems to be a recent spike in such denunciations is the massive clean-up effort mounted by the Church in the wake of flooding in Louisiana. \u00a0 The Church doesn\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nAnother note regarding the disdain shown in some quarters for Mormon humanitarian assistance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"    In the region\u00a0of the ex-Mormon web that I watch, I'm seeing fierce disapproval of the humanitarian efforts of the Church. \u00a0The occasion for\" \/>\n<meta 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