Judiasm and Christianity both see anonymous giving as ....

[Burma Jones]

the highest form of Charity. For Example, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:

Therefore when thou doest thine alms,
do not sound a trumpet before thee,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may have
glory of men. Verily I say unto you,
they have their reward.
But when thou doest alms,
let not thy left hand know
what thy right hand doeth.
-- Matthew 6:2-3

and Judiasm:

Maimonides (a 12th century sage) had eight levels of tzedakah," Rabbi Blesofsky explains. "The first is giving a loan, a gift or becoming a business partner. The second is when the donor doesn't know who he's giving to, and the recipient doesn't know who gave it."

Anonymous giving, or "matan b'seter" -- literally, hidden giving -- is considered important in Judaism, Rabbi Blesofsky says.


So, next time some ass-holier than thou weasel starts moaning about how much the USA gives the world etc, etc, etc.....just tell them that they should shut up and give.......

[ithacan]

1. Islam too

giving to the less fortunate - "zakaat" -- is actually one of the five pillars of Islam. The wealthier you are, the more you are expected to donate to causes that help the poor or the general public...

Zakaat the main act of worship which has to be performed monetarily. Those who fulfill this duty have been promised abundant reward in this world and hereafter. Whoever evades Zakaat has been sternly warned in the Qur'an and Hadith of the consequences.

Let's hope the Qur'an is correct and that all these greedy selfish pig wingers suffer those severe consequences...

[Karenina]

4. I wonder how many are aware

that charging interest on a loan is forbidden in Islam.

[Az]

5. Same with Christianity

They also are supposed to forgive debts after a certain period. Robertson was actually pushing for legal reform on bank debts. He wanted to cancel all loans after 7 years.

This notion concerning loaning is part of what put the Jews in hot water for centuries. Jews have no prohibition on loaning or collecting interest. Thus they were the money lenders in communities. Its part of the reason they are the only religious belief that survived Christian domination(there are other reasons as well).

[Inland]

2. But since the USG isn't interested in its own salvation,

I suggest we make a huge governmental contribution and hope for credit here on earth.

But the worst of all situations--claiming credit for giving NOT made. That seems to be the USA modus operandi.

[Az]

3. Charity without anonymity is just marketting

Its what corporations with market control do in order to enable them to increase prices or take other actions that are not favorable to the consumer. Raising the opinion of the company allows them to lower quality.