So you're jealous of the amount of money they have at their disposal and you disapprove of the organizations who do receive their charitable donations.

Rather than tacitly sniping at Christian "Maura" via her atheist husband, why don't you tell her how little you think of her judgment, directly? After all, she has input and influence over where that money goes; what's stopping her from writing a check on her own, over and above his to the ones he favours. Presumably she has access to the money throughout the year, not just at the end of the year.

Actually, what my friend said was that he does make philanthropic contributions... to the opera and the symphony.

Do I know for sure that he doesn't write a big check to a nonprofit for kids or some other charity? No. Did the whole context of our conversation (which I will not retail in full) lead me to believe that was the case? You bet.

Does it matter in the long run? I leave that to better minds than mine.

He objects to the Salvation Army (big deal). He's an atheist (so what). How do you know he doesn't give a great big fat check to some other charity? Oh wait, you don't.

Try the humble pie.

"They'll get a Heifer catalogue flock of chickens for Christmas."

It's sad that, in trumpeting her own discovery of what it really means to give, Evans buys into the idea that it's ok to "give" other sentient beings as a Christmas gift.

Bee hive? Flock of chickens? Why not grain? Or the chemicals to make clean, potable water? Why make a gift of suffering in order to make yourself feel virtuous?

Dear Rev Evans

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009!

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia

I'm afraid I still find it hard to be generous to many charities. I worked full-time in service delivery and administration for a large, local, urban-based Christian one for 14 years, and all-too-often I witnessed - behind the scenes - self-aggrandizing types dressing up their own ambition as "concern for the poor", alongside inept bleeding hearts who couldn't organise a chook raffle. Both types got by as what I call guilt-brokers - manipulating the often sentimental desire of average folk to "make a difference", particularly at Christmas (helped along by all those treacly Christmas specials on TV). I'm not saying that this is inevitable, or universal, but in my experience it was a sad tendency. To anyone wanting to donate, I say: be very selective and discerning about which charities you support. Use your critical faculties to evaluate their work, and don't EVER be swayed by guilt-impulses. Don't let your pious desire to "help" blind you to those who wield "the needy" like their own personal province.

ELIZABETH E. EVANS

You wrote, "Jesus would have handled this situation a lot better. He was really good at sticking to the fundamental truths, and letting people figure it out themselves - or not."

How true.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Hey there, Farnaz2:

I haven't had a chance to look at Edgar Bronfman's thread yet. I will a bit later today. But I already know I can't defend what some Christians say about Jews. A lot of it is indefensible. Bigotry knows no boundaries, unfortunately. Sadly, many folks also find the Internet a convenient, and "safe" place to foment ugliness. I'm sorry you, and we, have to be subjected to it.

Ms. Evans:

Maybe the best thing you could do humility wise is take a look at Edgar Bronfman's thread and explain to us nonChristians how it is that your co-religionists cannot surrender their anti-Jewish racism.

We'd be delighted to know. Acknowledging it would certainly be a step toward developing "humility."

I would like a reply, Ms. Evans. Set aside the rhetoric (mine), and please explain.

I know plenty of non-believers who make contributions year-round to human rights organizations, environmental conservation organizations, food banks, and shelters for homeless people and homeless animals. They don't buy Christmas presents for children they don't know, but then again, they don't buy Christmas presents for children they DO know, either.

Ms. Evans:

Maybe the best thing you could do humility wise is take a look at Edgar Bronfman's thread and explain to us nonChristians how it is that your co-coreligionists cannot surrender their anti-Jewish racism.

We'd be delighted to know. Acknowledging it would certainly be a step toward developing "humility."

PS: There's a very interesting commentary in a certain rival newspaper yesterday by Nick Kristof on the whole issue of charitable giving and who does what -- frankly, I just think its important that we give to effective organizations, whatever our particular creed is. The person in the story is my evil twin, and she gets smacked down pretty good at the end of the commentary. EEE

Hey there, I wasn't trying to mock atheists or praise Christians. Those comments about Christian generosity should have been in quotes--I was mocking my own thoughts after this shopping trip with my friend. I thought that was clear from what followed. Apparently not!

Elizabeth Evans

Charitable donations pale with respect to the help USA taxpayers give to the less fortunate here and around the world. Last time I checked, USA atheists pay their taxes without complaining anymore than Christians.

I agree and understand how you feel. Most of the atheists I have met are unhappy, stingy people. Having said that, it is uncharitable of us christians to point it out.

To DMZ1's comment I would like to add: How do you know your friend's husband wasn't donating to othe charities? You just assumed, probably because he was atheist, that he wouldn't.

And I wonder why you thought so poorly of him since he and your friend are married. why do you think she married him? He must have redeeming qualities in her eyes- you didn't trust your friend's judgement in the man she picked either. doesn't make you much of a friend.

Ms. Evans:

In response to this slur - "That's the difference between religious folk and non-believers. We are generous. They are not." - WAPO will not allow an appropriate response.

Most contributions of Christians are to churches which are not charitable organizations. My atheist contributions, 15% of gross income, go directly to those organizations that actually provide goods and services to people who need them. No middleman.

For a Christian, your intemperate language was a bit surprising. My mother, a devout Christian, would be aghast.

You might want to watch the Birth of Jesus documentary now being shown on the National Geographic Channel. NT exegetes interviewed for the documentary have concluded that most of the nativity stories about the simple preacher man are not true e.g. there were no shepherds, no wise men, no slaughtering of the Holy Innocents, no star and no manger in Bethlehem. In fact, the birth took place in Nazareth.

The documentary is also available 24/7 if you have On Demand service. (at the History and Nature menu).

"Jesus would have handled this situation a lot better."

Well his embellishers sure tried to make his birth a lot better than it was.