Is there a real danger to the creep of utilitarianism in humanitarian thinking? Has the modern humanitarian world been reduced to little more than a competitive arena for non-profit interests? Last year, the Susan G. Komen Foundation imploded over scandals and bitter dissension over funding disputes with Planned Parenthood. The split took place on a […]
Christian humanitarianism
Issues in College Christian Humanitarianism: Part 3
“Join Wall Street. Save the world.” This article went viral in my Facebook feed: [Jason] Trigg makes money just to give it away. His logic is simple: The more he makes, the more good he can do. He’s figured out just how to take measure of his contribution. His outlet of choice is the Against Malaria […]
Issues in College Christian Humanitarianism: Part 2
Is humanitarian need blind? In college, my Christian fellowship sponsored a fundraiser for victims of the Southeast Asian earthquake and tsunami, sending money to the explicitly Christian humanitarian relief organization World Vision. During the fundraiser, several people approached the coordinators and expressed relief at being able to donate to a Christian organization. One person said, “I […]
College Christian Humanitarianism: Part 1
Not long after graduating from college in 2005, I interviewed students on campus about their involvement in community service. All of them said that they spent less time doing community service in college than in high school, and most of them said that they felt disappointed or even guilty that this was the case. All […]