To me the truest form of charity is done anonymously, without any expectation of gain or recognition. As such I developed very much a canned answer when ever anyone would ask me about such things. "I'll just write a check," is my normal response to inquiries about how I support causes I believe in. While there is some truth to it it is primarily a dodge to avoid the subject. After all if people knew I was contributing to charity was I really doing it for charity's sake?
I'm not sure how I came up with this ideology, but I think it has something to do with an old M.A.S.H. episode. You remember M.A.S.H. don't you? That campy, Korean War sit-com from the 70's. There was a holiday episode where Charles, a pompous, blue blood, old money surgeon dropped off some very expensive chocolates at a Korean orphanage in the middle of the night. He was caught by the head of the orphanage of course and had to explain that this was a holiday tradition in his family, and for it to be a true act of charity it needed to be carried out anonymously.
As silly as it sounds that struck me in a very profound way. It was later reinforced in my college years as we discussed very much the same thing in my philosophy classes. The whole concept of Utilitarianism
, the greatest good for the greatest number, comes to mind. What happens to these poor souls that are not a part of the majority, and is catering to the majority always the right thing to do? If charity is a virtue, are we less virtuous for making our charity known? These are questions I struggle with.I believe charity to be a very private matter, so private that I won't even discuss it with those closest to me. If being charitable curries me favor their eyes then did I really do it for charity's sake?
Nice article Steven. Here's a thought to think about, sometimes those who make their efforts known about charitable causes, do so, not just because of the positive PR spin-offs which they get (which is obviously one major draw), however by talking to people about your efforts, you are also educating, and passing knowledge to those who may not know about a particular cause.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the more people who know, understand and take part in giving to worthy causes (time and/or money), need to spread their ideas around. As sharing/giving has a far-reaching effect, when people rally together.
This is not to say that those who give 'privately are not doing their bit, however for me, there is a lost opportunity, in not talking to those around us about specific causes which we feel strongly enough about, to want to put our hands in our pocket, or give up our Saturday to contribute our time.
My notion reminds me of a scene from the kid's movie 'Bug's Life'. There is a scene where the Grasshopper talks to his cronies, and throws 1 nut at them, here he explains that 1 ant on it's own can't do much damage, then he proceeds to open a large jar of nuts, where all the nuts flow out together, creating a larger/louder impact. The Grasshopper proceeds with the message, that a 'group' of ants together, can cause the Grasshoppers problems.
My point is, it is important we talk about charity, we make people aware of specific causes, and we encourage participation where we possible.
Giving is giving, public or private, however by making giving public, it doesn't necessarily make it 'less' charitable, it simply means there is a voice attached to the giving, which in turn, may just impact someone else to do the same.