Jeffthinks

This little news bit today underlines my objection to the sanctimonious charitible acts of many christian groups. In short, there's always a catch, always a hidden clause, always an agenda to their idea of "helping their fellow man."

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. Muslim group on Thursday accused evangelist Jerry Falwell of using money donated for tsunami relief to convert people in South Asia to Christianity and called on the Bush administration to denounce his actions.

In an e-mailed weekly newsletter called "Falwell Confidential," which was obtained by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the evangelist said: "Hundreds of thousands are in dire need of medical attention and personal counseling. And in this heavily Muslim part of the world, millions have never even heard of Jesus Christ."

The newsletter, which is distributed by Jerry Falwell Ministries, said donations would be used to distribute food and Gospel tracts in the region.

A Muslim who received the e-mail passed it on to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, council spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said.

According to a statement on www.falwell.com and Liberty University's Web site, the school is preparing a team to travel to India, Sri Lanka and other countries in South Asia. Falwell founded Liberty University.

"Distribution of food and medical supplies, along with the dissemination of thousands of Gospel tracts in the language of the people will be the primary tasks of the team," the Web sites said. "Mission trips to the Asian region by many (Liberty University) students will follow in the months, and perhaps years, to come."

And who wouldn't be offended by this? If a major Muslim group had offered aid to Florida hurricane victims this past summer, if... and only if... they had a heavy Muslim hand on their shoulder, frankly, they too would have not only been offended, but would have fired a few rounds of buckshot at the "infidels."

It reminds me of a drive that a local television station in Orlando did in the mid-90's after a hurricane demolished much of Haiti. They raised money... to buy... BIBLES to take to the poor ravaged island nation. Sure, they were dying, they were starving, but who cares? There were potential new christians there. Would you like ketchup or mustard with your Genesis?