This disgraceful letter to the editor appeared in The Tacoma News Tribune today, and made me just see red:
Christians stepping up; where are atheists?
By Brad Eleken, of Graham
My prayers go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and I will help by donating through a Christian charity. I am thankful that the United States, as always, takes the lead in helping when disaster strikes. As I read The News Tribune, I am struck by the fact that the Christian organizations are mobilizing and sending aid and aid workers without any thought as to the religion of the people of Haiti.
Just as when the tsunami struck Indonesia, and tens of thousands of Muslims were killed, the United States and Christian charities took the lead.
So where are the atheist organizations? Are they sending aid workers, money or prayers? No. But they do have money to devote to a display in the Capitol building in Olympia, to tell us there is no God, there is no heaven or hell.
If there are atheists interested in helping the people of Haiti, I ask them to give to World Vision or one of the other fine Christian organizations. Or they can do nothing.
This screed is especially outrageous in light of the call to arms that went out from Seattle Atheists asking people to donate for Haiti relief that went out Jan. 14.
It’s more inaccurate because of the SCORES of atheist and humanist charities that were launched in the past few years, and which are SPECIFICALLY addressing the Haiti crisis.
Seattle Atheists itself commits itself to charity and community service, and has an ongoing food drive, a blood drive, and gift wrapping, of which 100% of the proceeds go to Childrens Hospital.
CFI’s S.H.A.R.E. project, Richard Dawkins Foundation’s Non-Believers Giving Aid, Humanist Charities’ Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund have all dedicated the full force of their giving power to the victims of the Haiti disaster. Additional secular charities include MADRE, Partners in Health, Doctors Without Borders, Americares, International Relief Teams, and Mercy Corps.
Atheists give to secular aid organizations, because we do not like to see money going towards solar powered bibles. Because if that’s your idea of humanitarian aid, you need to really be shot out of a cannon.
We recognize that people need clean water, food, medical care, and shelter, and NOT proselytizing. They need care, not “ministry.” They need to survive. They don’t need half the money that would have gone to pay for these things going to fat cat pastors and churches.
So in other words, Brad Eleken of Graham, you’re an ill-informed ass.
Please voice your displeasure both in the comments and by writing letters to the editor. This will not go unchallenged.