Charity is to give true and should be anonymous?-some quotations and observations about charities

4 years ago, a secret santa died who gave away 1.3 million dollars over a 20 year period. Before he died, he revealed his identity.

While I found his acts of charity admirable, I was very disappointed that he gave in to his own selfish interests in the end.

Some people argue that his story is inspirational. While that is true, it doesn't mean that it wasn't inspirational before he revealed his identity. Wouldn't it be even more inspirational to give without wanting acknowledgement from society?

It seems that humans are generally incapable of doing something charitable that doesn't eventually serve their own self interests. Charities generally want people to disclose their identities, which I suspect encourages people to give since they know society will give them credit.

Since his death, numerous people have stepped up to take his place. I often wonder how many of them are doing it because they saw how much fame the late secret santa gained - and the want it for themselves - and how many will be truly selfless and remain anonymous.

Charity is charity. The money you give is no more useful if you reveal your identity.

I am impressed on the Quotes of charity particularly on William Hutton. I have also requested the members joined in Giving Pledge Campaign that they should not go behind tax rebate alone. Here is my story if any one could help I shall be very grateful.

I am an Ex Army man from India. Retired from govt service in April 2004. In the anxiety of a house to fulfill the ambition of my wife to do my last rites in own house I have joined and arranged down line members in the National Federation of the Blind and Manav Foundation said to be for the backward community, with a high hope of getting incentive while serving needy people but they have cheated making loss of my entire pension benefits besides run into debit of more than 8.5 lacs in the process of coming out of the tragedy. As I have no source to repay the loan and my meager pension is not sufficient to pay interest (24%) on the loan amount trembling with fear and at the age of 67 in the street for daily bread and needs.Torture of down line members and mental agony of debit some time thinking of suicide also. I am running up and down but no help. If any one could help me at this juncture I shall be very grateful. Thanks

As humans we generally do the best we can.

Worms (Voems) in Germany has entered into my fiction of late because I find it a fascinating place. For some time it was the city of the Holy Roman emperor who supported the papacy and it was also the city that gave its allegiance in the end to Martin Luther.

Well it sounds like your religion has got it right or, at any rate, the way you say your religion should be practiced. Martin Luther was a Catholic before he decided that the Church needed reforming. I would say he got some of his ideas from being a Catholic. The pope at the time was less than charitable to the people living in Germany. Other popes down through the centuries have, of course, proven themselves to be more in tune with God.

I'll go along with your Martin Luther quote only I will substitute the word charity with friendship or mateship or go one better and use that four letter word - love. To share with someone when you could do with the lot for yourself goes way beyond charity.

Good intentions have just about killed off the original inhabitants of Australia. Where Aborigines have found some way to be self sufficient they do alright. Where they are all on welfare they have the look of the lost and there's alcohol abuse, etc. It does feel great to work for a living and there is no substitute for the feeling. Any work, even digging a ditch, is something that can bring pride and hope.

Thanks dahoglund. I once was in a situation where some people with really good intentions were downright offensive in their charitable actions. I was able to put a stop to it, but couldn't really explain why it was offensive. People thought I was cold! It just seemed like the "givers" were taking too much pleasure and there was something derogatory about how the recipients were expressing their gratitude. It was like a ritual public display of charity in which everyone had a permanent assigned role as either a giver or a recipient. Well, I still can't explain it. Thanks for the opportunity to try again!

This is a very thought provoking hub to say the least. I think we should help other, up to a point. Then they need to help themselves.

I think charity given in the right spirit can be good. I also believe that charity given by people who are expecting praise is bad. Charity needs to be given from the heart.

I enjoyed the different points of view. Rated up and awesome.

Very good article! I enjoyed these quotes, and the thoughts they have provoked! Thank you!

Thank you dahoglund, for this hub, I agree with you about charity should be anonymous, in fact that is what the word of God says. Charity should be given in secret. Great hiub. Thank you for sharing. Godspeed. creastiveone59

I agree with you. The local level is always best. Fewer layers with more interested people who actually live there instead of more removed disinterested government employees who are only doing it for a job.

As to those social services where sometimes the employees treat the people in a condescending tone...I just wish they could remember the phrase..."There but for the grace of God...", it could be THEM in that same place of needing help, after all. It can truly happen to ANYBODY for many reasons!

I think sometimes we view the reception of charity as humiliating but I think if given and received properly and for good reasons it could be interpreted as love.

Very interesting hub - I'm voting it up and useful

This sentence: "I do think that the welfare system has preempted the role of churches and private charities and sometimes imposing their own agenda" rings true. Prior to having a welfare system people who truly needed help generally got it from family, friends, neighbors, churches and the like. It was not institutionalized and generations of people did not then grow up on welfare. Kids did not receive money for having kids! People worked hard to pull themselves back up and get back on their feet.

All of that being said...programs like SSI that help the disabled are great.

Many of the quotes are good ones. Very thoughtful hub. Rating this useful and up!

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this.

Nice topic.

I like the story of The Mansion. It brings this message out very well.

Keep on hubbing!

dahoglund,

My comment focuses on John D. Rockefeller. No matter what he said he raped the state of West Virginia by buying all energy resources and that legacy still prevails today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!