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One Food Bank in Northern California (Eureka) for example,
has refused to deal with the GMC Helping and
Warming Program, accusing us of promoting witchcraft and our own religion.
This, despite the person who approached them having produced our brochure
which specifically states that promotion of religion or any type of
prosetylization is specifically prohibited by our program guidelines.
(You can find that volunteer's story below.)
It's really very sad.
The best thing you can do in these cases is to let your local media know
that the specific charity discriminates against people of differing
religions. The organization will likely respond very quickly, as
they have always complained that donations are substantially under what
the number of people their program services would require.
The last thing they are going to want to do is shoot themselves in the
foot.
Explain to the reporter you contact that our organization doesn't
proselytize, and gives to people of all faiths, respecting their
particular religious beliefs or lack thereof. Let the reporter know
that our religion doesn't believe in prosetylization. That you won't
find us going door-to-door promoting it. That we believe in the
right of every person to the faith of their own conscience and choice.
Period.
The reporter may pay attention, or the reporter may blow you off as a
weirdo. But until you actually try, you don't know what will happen,
will you?
And that's the best way to get reluctant or downright obnoxious
organizations' attention.
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Below is the information we received about the
particular Food Bank in Eureka CA:
Rev.
Michele:
I
cannot believe how closed minded people are.. there are people
suffering all over, and yet some of those that have a job, and a
warm home to go to, are so ruthless and uncaring.
Long
story short.. for the FOOD BANK to help you, you have to SHOW ID
with an address, they help with FOOD..
I
told the director about the program, showed her the flyer, told her
I would be responsible for seeing that the donations were picked up
and delivered etc. etc. etc.
She
said "I am NOT interested in some witches wishes for me to help
convert these people to witchcraft" I told her she was so wrong, and
that I would be happy to help her understand our position better.
She
again said NO, and that they distribute FOOD only and asked me to
leave..
I am
so sorry that the people here are so against this..
But
if there is ANYTHING I can do to help this cause, please let me
know..
(signed) |
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