Nathan Newman wrote:
> Chuck- the inability to convince people to financially support projects
> reflects the lack of organizing skills on the left. Churches raise big
> bucks from poor people around the world from poor people, as does the left
> where it is able to convince people it has a plan that will use those
> resources effectively.
Chuck replies -Yes, churches use religion to -scare people into giving, but these days most churches focus on building -*community* which draws people in. Some people on this list disparage -"activist communities," but one thing we suck at is developing a radial -oppositional culture that draws people in and supports our larger goals.
But talking about the "community" aspect of churches, while important, ignores the fact that the activist churches raise money to DO stuff-- sometimes building buildings but often more aggressive actions as well. Let's look at the fundrasing page from the Pat Robertson's Chirstian Broadcasting Network https://www.cbn.com/partners/
Here are a few of the projects people are asked to fund: * "Through an aggressive evangelism effort called CBN WorldReach, friends like you are multiplying the impact of the Gospel by broadcasting evangelistic programs to over 155 countries." * "Thanks to our CBN partners, CBN WorldReach and Operation Blessing are coming along side these Ukrainian orphanages to bring a message of truth to children who might otherwise be forgotten. CBN provided a gift for each child. They love having something to love. And they love having visitors!" * "Operation Blessing offered the people of Istalef [Afghanistan] food and medical care to sustain them while they rebuild their homes. As a first step, Operation Blessing volunteer doctors treated more than 1,000 people. Many of them had not seen a doctor in 7 years. 'I believe very strongly that as we do different things for them -- you see, the Taliban has destroyed everything for them, but what I want to see is we Christians going in and re-building their lives, so that they would see a difference -- that what the Taliban has destroyed, the Christians have restored it.'"
And so on. In the third world, Islamic groups like Hamas et al and many Christian groups are recruiting through a combination of charity and political work to make inroads in the population.
Where is the left?
Nathan