Reply #35: I sponsor a child through Compassion

[WolverineDG]

I do so because this organization has been consistently found to donate the majority of the donations it receives to the children directly.

So, here's my email feedback to them today:

Dear Compassion, It has come to my attention that a website called "http://bushfish.org" is advertising that proceeds of sales from that site are donated to Compassion. It comes complete with a trademarked direct link to Compassion.com.

What I find extremely offensive about this website is that it offers for sale bumperstickers of the Christian Fish with the name "BUSH" in the center and along the top & bottom "One Nation Under God." As a Christian, I am offended by equating a mere human being as being an equal to God. None of us are equal to God, nor can we ever hope to be. Only through His Grace are we saved so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven. I am offended by this because it essentially states that as I am not a Republican, I am therefore not Christian. Where in the Gospels does Jesus ever state "Only Republicans can be Christians?"

For your information, I vote Democratic and support Compassion because I believe the most important of Jesus' teachings were those which involved the caring for the poor & for children. The Republican Party, in my opinion, has left "compassion" by the wayside in its quest for power. How else to explain the ongoing war in Iraq, where so many children are dying from violence & disease?

The teachings of Jesus are also my inspiration to work for Legal Aid, making much less than I would if I were in private practice. I believe it is my mission to use the talents given to me by God to help those who cannot help themselves in the legal system. My sponsorship of (EDITED OUT CHILD'S NAME) is an extension of that mission that carries over into my private life. Is my work & support of (CHILD) now any less important to God and/or to her because I voted for Senator Kerry?

As an American, I am offended because of the blatant impression that only Republicans are true Americans. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War. One even showed up to fight the British at Lexington & Concord on April 19, 1775. How dare these people even suggest that I am NOT a "real" American simply because of how I vote!!!

Coming as this does on the heels of that church in North Carolina that excommunicated its Democratic members, I am offended by this apparently endorsed tie-in by your site with this particular group.

I have sponsored 2 children through Compassion because I believe in its mission & I would like to continue to do so. However, if my money & support is not welcome to you because I am a Democrat, please advise me of this.

I ask you to look into this matter and inform me of your conclusions. I do not believe that this particular site is in line with the teachings of Jesus. While the owners of this particular site are free to express their exclusionary ideas, I feel that it does not become Compassion to be affiliated with it in any way, shape, or form.