Moral Dilemma.....Relief to IndonesiaFollow

At work today, we had a discussion about the quandry over provididng aid to Indonesia. I found some of the points very compelling, and yet I had trouble with the concept of not offering aid to the area. The basis of the arguement was that this area of the world has been extremely anti-American, and has persecuted christians for years. So why would we want to send any resources to rebuild this area.
One of the people involved also inferred that the tsunami may have been the hand of God, taking his judgement. That when Soddom and Gamorrah were destroyed, no one sent aid to help them.
Now I am not a very religious person, but I cannot imagine that God sent that wave of water to destroy the area. I cannot in any way imagine that those children, and all those that died have sinned against God. Nor can I picture God taking any pleasure in the suffering of people in the damaged areas.
So I can see sending food, and medical aid without any problem. Where I get stuck is the money they are requesting to rebuild their economy and internal structure. Should I send money to support an area that actively despises my country, and foster that feeling. Providing a potential haven for hate groups that have similar beliefs.
So I sent my relief money to Doctors without Borders, but I cannot decide if I will send further money that could be used for rebuilding. Anyone have any ideas on the subject?

Well now is the chance to get them on your side through helping them when they are down. Isnt that the christian thing to do?

Plus while Indonesia has a underlying anti american sentiment in the population there have been political ties with the United States for over 30 years now. US arms were used to support the anti communist dicatorship that oppressed the chinese/indonesian movement during 60's and 70's. (Once again I will refrain from launching into a East Timor and American involvement in the south east asia and pacific islands through the 1960s-present rant).

The problem is that Indonesia by itself has more Muslims than every single middle east country combined and has become a frontline in the war in terror as of late. Now is the time to step up and do the right thing and help them not build more resentment.

Nobody is obligated to care about or give aid to these people, but I do find it fairly grotesque to use one's religion to justify indifference (or even satisfaction) about their plight.

I have no problem with sending food or goods either, but I flat out say no to sending money simply because there is no guarantee for me that the money will go towards what I intended it to.

I agree. I cannot think that any being that is intelligent and compassionate would inflict this damage and death on any population willingly. If that factors into their faith, I have some severe doubts about its validity.

I just bit the bullet and sent the rest of my donation to Americare. I hope that it is put to good use.

That's why there's various orginzations that will put your money towards exactly when you want it to. Check and see which ones appeal to you and which ones will spend money in agreement with your concerns. Now I don't mean that if you send $100 they will e-mail you back a guarentee that they will spend it on revitalizing the economy and inferstructure of Indonesia, Thailand, India or a dozen other places. But look into Doctors without borders. They provide medical care all over the world. They don't rebuild the inferstructure, they don't do disaster relief and they don't do food aid. They heal the sick and injured.

As was stated in another thread already in relation to your 9/11 comment. True there were only a handful of survivors from the WTC towers. But there were hundreds of people injured when the buildings collapsed. And don't forget the Pentagon. They also might have used the disaster to gather blood as they are typically short on supply. A day or two on hand in most cases. So why not try and get a weeks worth of blood supply if that many people are willingly donating?

I'm not chosing to donate because: a) I can't afford it at the moment. b) The United States is providing $350 Million in aid, and Japan is spending $500 Million. Not including what the UN and other nations are spending. Both governments and citizens alike. There are other ways to help. Give canned goods to your local Red Cross, or Salvation Army, or Food shelter.

In a disaster like this religion plays no part in it. India is vastly Hindu, Malaysia, Indonesia and others are Muslum, but that doesn't mean anything. There has been over 2000 tourist deaths from foreign countries all over the world. Someone to say this was "an act of God" is not understanding the basics of what the Earth does. It moves. Alot. It's an unsettled, still cooling, rock and we're sitting on it. This could happen anywhere in the world. It's just a shame that most of Asia refused to have a warning system set up. Thailand has one but turned it off because they didn't want to frighten tourists. Nice.

Just be glad you weren't personally affected and make sure you let your family know how you feel about them.

If any of my facts or statements are incorrect I appologize, my understanding of foreign cultures isn't 100% accurate.

Well said, sir.

There's also the fact that it would be alot harder to give aid in biblical times than it would now.

I find it sad people are using their religion to back up their belief not to help people in need. I always thought religious people were known for their charitble actions. I guess I was misled there as well.

Redyne, you do what feels right for you. I am sending donations and help as much as I can, and I dont care whether they like me as an American or not. I know they need help, and in my heart, I know if the tables were turned I wouldnt care who was helping me, I would just be grateful. I do not judge people by the majority and decide whether they deserve my help or not. I look at them as another human being in need of help.

Just do what you think is right and do not worry about what others in your field of work think. It saddens me to hear this kind of stuff, and I do believe in and agree with checking the orginizations before donating, but to not donate because they dont like us, is silly, naive, ignorant, and arrogant.

Edited, Mon Jan 3 22:40:22 2005 by deadsidedemon

I heard this exact same argument being raised by a local radio talk show host today. It's a topic worthy of discussion.

My personal view here is that a natural disaster like this transcends hate against any one country, its leader, its way of life or anything else. Or at least it should. I don't think the US, or any nation for that matter, should donate a single penny with their primary motivation being that 'they'll like us more'.
Help out however you can because it is the right and moral thing to do and that should be enough justification. I don't care if the recipient is Muslim, Hindu, Baptist, Pagan or worships a turnip.

One concern that's been brought up that I most certainly share is that of, How can I be sure that the money I give actually goes to help the people that need it and not to enrich some bureaucrat? Sadly, that's a vald concern too. Forgive me if I don't jump at the chance to write a check to the UN or any of its subsidiaries. I'm donating to the American Red Cross and my local Church because I know and trust those organizations to deliver help to whomever needs it and not pocket the majority of the donations. By all means, give what you can- but research the organizations to whom you plan to give a bit before you do.

If you had a moral dilemma before, wait until you see the T-shirt the guy in the back is wearing...

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/gen/getty51896117.jpg

Totem

Hey all. Totem that pic does brings up a very valid point. But there are over 100,000 people dead or missing. I have to agree that doing the right thing because it is right is the best argument. Just research the charity that you are donating to. In the military they have the annual CFC drive and in the hand out each organization says exactly what goes were and to whom. We at Camp TQ Iraq simply gave what we had on us to our Chaplin in order to help the children. I may be a hard *** but I have a soft spot for those kids. HELP THE KIDS.

Indonesia is the largest muslim nation, that's true but interestingly enough, Aceh which is basically ground zero for this event, is largely a christian area and has been in the midst of a civil war for many years. And now 94,000 people have died there, many of them christian rebels.

So much for the opinion of those christian bigots who think it was the hand of god!