Although I do believe that it is important to support causes and different institutions that you believe in, most of the donation requests were very vague, and seemed rather sketchy. No clear information was given pertaining to where the money was going, and whose hands it was going to be in.
** The first example I found was on the Church of Fools website. I was curious as to what all the fuss was about, and I was even more surprised than expected. This virtual online church, put on by the Methodists, comes equipped with a program where one can build their own "character," and attend church with others. They can kneel, pray, listen to sermons, confess, and interact with other "church-goers."
In the side bar there is a link to "support us". Below is what followed:
SUPPORT US
Although Church of Fools is a virtual place of worship, it has real-life costs. We're also looking at ways of launching other online churches in the US, France, and Australia. If you'd like to support what were doing , please consider giving via credit card.
To make a credit card donation to the work of Church of Fools, please click one of the options below. Thanks!
Although it is not too pushy it is completely vague. It does not tell the reader where the money is exactly going. I feel like this is conniving, and really makes me question the real motives of this program. Is this so-called religious center just a way for some creative cartoonists to make money??
** I also felt like the whole cartoon element of the Church of Fools is rather distracting. The only reason I wanted to "enter the church" was to pick a character, and "play the game." It seemed like the video game, "the sims." I don't feel like I could take this as a serious church, and a way to worship. I think it is actually somewhat disrespectful and impersonal.
The second example I found regarding a plea for donations was found on the Buddhanet website. Buddhanet is a Buddhist education and information website. On this website there is a Buddhist e-library, the Buddhist magazine,religious audio, links, readings, etc. Right smack in the middle of the main page is a donations plea.
BuddhaNet is a not-for-profit Buddhist education and information service and is supported entirely by donations. If you would like to contribute to BDEA by helping us maintain BuddhaNet, you can now do so with confidence as this is a secure credit card facility.
This is for online credit card transactions only. If you would rather make a donation by post, please use the manual donation form. Thank you for your support.
Once again, the use of these donations is vague and unclear. Readers are expected to just trust that their money will end up in righteous hands.
I feel that alot of these websites have ulterior motifs. After giving readers a spiritual and uplifting message, they ask for money to support these great causes. They butter up the participants. Just when they are feeling refreshed and spiritually edified, they are asked to do something righteous. They are asked to give money so that others can experience what they have experienced. By doing this, participants are more willing to hand over the credit card. And I know that this money is not going straight to this great cause, and for the righteous people. It is for the profit of those same people who claim to only be in the "service of their lord."
This reminds of the Christmas program idea. Viewers watch heart-warming and emotional programs, and are then asked to send flowers to family members. These types of programs, including online religious programs wake up the generous side of us, and those behind these programs love to take advantage of this.
This reminds of the Christmas program idea. Viewers watch heart-warming and emotional programs, and are then asked to send flowers to family members. These types of programs, including online religious programs wake up the generous side of us, and those behind these programs love to take advantage of this.
Questions:
Do you think that it is right to ask for donations on these websites, especially with such a vague description of where the money is going??
Where do you think all of these "donations" are going?
Do you think that people truly are being edified by these "online churches" and why??
Where do you think all of these "donations" are going?
Do you think that people truly are being edified by these "online churches" and why??
Churches in general rely on donations to survive. However, when you go to an actual physical facility and share time a spiritual experiences with other people, somehow it makes it easier to donate money. When you get that personal interaction with a church leader somehow it also makes it easier to give money away. I could see why it might seem more sketchy to give money away to online churches where you do not know who is really behind it.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of online religion. I think that online religion is, for the most part, a good way for people to be lazy. I know that it may seem harsh but I really think that if a person goes to an online church they are not getting the point of church. To go to church is to go somewhere that you create a community of friends and people with whom you can trust and I don’t think that happens online. As for the question about donations I think that is really silly. The reason to donate to a church is so that the building can be kept up and the youth group can have treats after bible study. Unless the donation is through a truthful source and you know where it is going I think there is a good chance that you are getting ripped off. You can never know if what is online is true, unless you are on lds.org :) , and if you cannot fully trust it don’t give money.
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