My letter to Habitat for Humanity

[Malachi151]

I volunteered to work on a project with your organization because I support your actions in providing housing for people in need. I applaud your efforts and your organizational ability and think that you have a positive program, however, I am an atheist and I found the religiosity of your program such that I will not volunteer for your organization any more.

I suspect that many people, like myself, are unaware of the religious aspect of your program initially, and volunteer out of a humanitarian desire to help other people and improve the community, but then later find that they are being beaten over the head with religious ideology during the process. I found this a major turn-off to an otherwise positive experience.

I was still happy to participate and help improve the lives of others, but I found one Biblical passage on display at the meeting area to be particularly offensive to me. It said something to the effect that if you are not laboring for "the Lord" then you are laboring in vain. I certainly would not say that my labors were in vain, and the display of this message let me know that my efforts were not welcome, and so I won't volunteer them for your organization again.

I wish your organization the best of success in helping the needy, unfortunately it is religion that keeps them ignorant and oppressed in a world dominated by corrupt corporations and selfish capitalists, all of whom use religion as a tool to oppress the masses.

Thanks,

[MonCapitan2002]

Hmm. That's interesting. My opinion of the organization has now been lowered due to this discovery. I do have a question, though. Is this just the behavior of your local chapter, or is this done on a national level? I remember watching a few episodes of Hometime where this organisation was featured, but there was no mention of religious propaganda (or "services" as theists call them).

[Malachi151]

http://www.habitat.org/ourhouse/book1478.html

Do something. Think deeply about what concerns you. Pray for guidance and then take a step of faith. Do something dealing with whatever concerns you. Make sure you are in line with what’s right and with God’s will as revealed in the Bible. You may be amazed, as I have been, with how God will honor and multiply your small “something.�

From a little acorn does a mighty oak tree grow. From small “somethings,� full of faith and love, does great positive change take place.

One of my favorite songs is “Lead on O King Eternal.� One of the stanzas in that song is, “Not with swords loud clashing, nor with roll of stirring drums, but with deeds of love and kindness does the Heavenly Kingdom come.�

It’s the small stuff that has so much power, if God’s love is in it.

Reflect on Jesus. Born in a stable in an obscure village in the Middle East, He never traveled far from his home, never wrote a book, had no official title and never owned any property. He just went about doing good. He healed some people, fed a hungry multitude, restored sight to a blind man, preached and taught about God. No action he took was earth shattering. He dealt with individuals and with relatively small groups. Most of His time was spent with His twelve disciples.

etc, etc...

Apparently they try to present themselves as mainstream, and then once they have you suckered in they turn on the God talk.

[Never]

Very well written letter. Count me among those who had no idea this was an organization that actively promoted religion. I just thought their goal was to provide affordable housing, period.
In your experience, did religion or lack thereof affect the decision as to whom homes were built for?

[Malachi151]

Very well written letter. Count me among those who had no idea this was an organization that actively promoted religion. I just thought their goal was to provide affordable housing, period.
In your experience, did religion or lack thereof affect the decision as to whom homes were built for?

I don't know. They did give thanks to God when they gave their short thank you speeches though.

[Plognark]

Huh, didn't know that. The times I volunteered it never, ever came up. No bible passages, preaching, or anything.

[lisarea]

I think this is a recent development. My mother used to donate a lot of money to them, but she said that recently--around the time that Jimmy Carter scaled back his involvement--the thank you letters they sent her started to emphasize what a good Christian she was. She hates being called a good Christian, so she just stopped giving them money.

I'm not sure if she ever wrote a letter telling them why she'd stopped donating, but I'm glad you said something, at any rate.

[wildernesse]

I disagree that this is a recent development. The history of Habitat is rooted in the founders' Christianity, and it has always been a mission-type work. At my first introductory meeting, that was emphasized--which was 6 years ago. The goal is to provide affordable housing--the reason for the organization to do so is rooted in Christianity.

The first fact in the fact sheet (http://www.habitat.org/how/factsheet.html) on their website is:

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.


and

Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.

Habitat as a Christian Ministry (http://www.habitat.org/how/christian.html).

I'm really surprised that several of you did not know that Habitat was a Christian organization--perhaps I know because it's based in GA, and most of the time I've worked on sites with church groups, met in churches, etc.

[MonCapitan2002]

In that case, I will never, under any circumstances support nor enlist the aid of the organisation. They can take their preaching and shove it.

[lisarea]

I don't mean to imply that the fact that it's a Christian organization is a recent development. It just seems that, in recent years, they have stepped up the proselytizing quite a bit, and they need to know that doing so has alienated a number of their former supporters.

I don't think it's inconsistent for them to remain a Christian organization and still recognize that some of their supporters are not Christians, and accept their help. And I question the sincerity of their non-discrimination policies for applicants if proselytizing is such an integral part of the worksite activities.

[AspenMama]

Good job to stand up for yourself!

However, I would have re-worded this last paragraph--or even left it out-- it will more than likely cause them to write you off rather than take you seriously.


I wish your organization the best of success in helping the needy, unfortunately it is religion that keeps them ignorant and oppressed in a world dominated by corrupt corporations and selfish capitalists, all of whom use religion as a tool to oppress the masses.

[Dark Jedi]

I have worked on habitat projects in the past, and did not have all that religiosity around either. it looks like it may vary from branch to branch.

And the ones I worked were in North texas, to boot. The buckle of the bible belt.

[wildernesse]

I don't see where that Habitat pretends that its supporters are all Christians or only wants Christian help. Perhaps there should be a distinction between the HQ and local affiliates, also. I've never experienced any witnessing or Bible quote signs while on site. What I have experienced is the statement that Habitat is a Christian organization as part of an orientation meeting--which I don't consider proselytizing.

[lisarea]

I don't see where that Habitat pretends that its supporters are all Christians or only wants Christian help. Perhaps there should be a distinction between the HQ and local affiliates, also. I've never experienced any witnessing or Bible quote signs while on site. What I have experienced is the statement that Habitat is a Christian organization as part of an orientation meeting--which I don't consider proselytizing.

Well, I can't quote the letters they sent my mother, but the assumption that she was Christian was very clear, and repeated throughout. Note that this was from the headquarters, in response to her donation. Things like, "It's good Christians like you..."

She doesn't offend easily or often, but she was upset by that they'd made those assumptions about her based solely on the fact that she donated money to them.

I encouraged her to send a response and at least let them know why she'd chosen not to donate any more. I even offered to write the letter for her, but she's just not a confrontational person, and chose instead to just silently bow out.

[reprise]

Wow. I've always been aware that Habitat is a religious organisation, but not once in my dealings with them has religion even been mentioned. I hope this in't a new trend, because they're one of my favourite charities.

[Brian63]

I recall (from a couple years ago) reading that the founder of Habitat for Humanity was very religious and intended for the organization to be also. Since he released control of it some years/decades ago, it started moving away from the religious aspect and towards secularism.

The founder (cannot remember his name, sorry) was disturbed by it and has been pushing for it to return to its Christian roots.

If it appears to have become more religiously-oriented in recent years, it could be because of his influence.

Brian

[Malachi151]

I am wondering if it has anything to do with the "Faith Based Initiative"?

I believe they are invovled in this program now, and they are also partners with AmeriCorps (Bush's new program).

[wildernesse]

Well, I can't quote the letters they sent my mother, but the assumption that she was Christian was very clear, and repeated throughout. Note that this was from the headquarters, in response to her donation. Things like, "It's good Christians like you..."


I'm sorry that your mother had a bad experience--and that does sound as if it's not just affiliates (my sweet pet theory :)). I think that's interesting, since it does counter the statements that anyone is welcome.

The Fullers are the founders of Habitat, and very religious--and Mr. Fuller is the current president of Habitat.

[Never]

It has been suggested that this thread would fit better in the PA & SA section and I would have to agree.

[Speedy-Lube]

This is new to me and I applaud your letter. The last paragraph may be a bit harsh, but overall it was very professional and organized. Good job.

I have to say that I am a bit turned off by this too. I have had oppurtunities in the past and always regretting not volunteering. I wouldn't even mind the religious orientation (it's always a good way to get sympathy) but their policies appear to discourage atheists from joining. I would suggest that they probably feel like the payoff is that they get more people to volunteer, so it is worth it.

That is a shame, but their loss.

[Malagasy Rain]

Thanks for the info. I was planning on giving to charity but I will not tolerate the religious hokey. Strike another one off my list of charity organizations.

[abe smith]

the better part of a decade ago now, I used to get stuff from Habitat for Humanity asking me for money; and onetime i carefully read the whole thing & Lo, there they were, the CEO, I forget his name now, blathering-on about all-that religious stuff. So I crossed them off my write-'em-a-check list.

I guess Jimmy (ex-POTUS) & Rosalind Carter are still writing & signing letters fund-seeking for Habitat.
(Un-ungh.)

[Godless Dave]

I'm really surprised that several of you did not know that Habitat was a Christian organization--perhaps I know because it's based in GA, and most of the time I've worked on sites with church groups, met in churches, etc.

I knew it was a Christian organization, I just didn't know it was a prosyletizing organization. Big difference.