Orphalin Annie

I was checking up on Facebook this evening and was quite irritated by a status post of one of my “friends.”  

“Samaraitan’s Purse International Relief  Urgent: Christian doctors and nurses are urgently needed as the cholera outbreak in Haiti grows.  We will cover volunteer expenses, including airfare, for those who can serve during Christmas.  If you are qualified……”

(emphasis mine)

So are you qualified if you are a doctor or if you are Christian?  Really, which is more important?   I understand that a lot of missions of all kinds come out of religious based organizations but are they truly wanting to help people in need or are they wanting to convert them?  I have thought many times about being a part of a medical mission (there are ones that are non-religious) but I hardly think it is selfless if you bring your medical supplies along with a bible.  You are pushing your own agenda and in one of the most shameful ways, by pretending that you actually care about people.  I had a conversation one time with a religious person about this.  I explained that the behavior I try to aspire to is that of understanding, patience, kindness, and acceptance free of judgement.  I strive for this but fully admit that it is difficult to attain.  This person told me that this is the behavior Christ spoke about and it is what Christians strive for.  My personal dealings with those who self-describe as Christians would beg to differ, but regardless he seemed quite insistent that non-Christians, even those who were active members of other religions had no reason to mold themselves into better people because they did not know Christ and his teachings.  You could be a kind, generous, understanding person but it would mean nothing if you did not believe in Jesus as our Savior.  This is a common feeling among Christians it seems.  It doesn’t help that I am in the Bible Belt and everyone is always talking about Jesus and church, especially at this time of the year.  In fact it is at this time of the year that their hypocrisy is most apparent and most painful to me.  I think about these things a lot because I don’t know how I will explain them to Mr. Power and I feel it is my responsibility to raise him with something.  I believe in God and that the universe is a beautiful, exciting, wonderful place.  I want to leave a legacy of understanding, generosity and responsibility.  Isn’t this enough or do I need to leave an imprint on a church pew as well???