BLOGGER MICHAEL HYATT IS "... the President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the largest Christian publishing company in the world and the ninth largest publishing company of any kind."
On his page today, he announced that Thomas Nelson would match its employees contributions to New Orleans up to $50,000, making for a $100,000, and also donate 100,000 Bibles to any refugees who want one. This was posted in Working Smart: Thomas Nelson's Disaster Relief Efforts.
You can guess the rest. The comments section to this post immediately began seeing the kind of hateful spew all to common to those among us with no faith, no insight, and no appreciation of simple human generosity. One example:
Bibles !!!!Mr. Moffat is (as we like to say ad nauseum in America) perfectly welcome to his opinion, but it is one that is all too emblematic of the kind of sodden, displaced outrage we see almost every second of every day. It, indeed, parades a kind of hyperbolic animosity that reveals a level on intolerance to other, non-secular, beliefs that I'm sure Mr. Moffat would despise if directed towards a more politically-correct set of beliefs. As I remarked in the comments (Something I urge my readers to do as well.):Unbelievable...... In my eyes you are a moron!
Unbelievable.... there are people DYING and babies and old people suffering indignities beyond any comprehension and you send them BIBLES - aaaaggggghhhhh - America IS nuts - no doubt about it.
Dick Moffat : dick@plogic.on.ca
But, of course, to the small souls of some of our fellow citizens, the Bible is never acceptable. Ever. That's a pity for all of us. The shame, however, is theirs alone.
It certainly is a testament to the power of the Bible that it threatens so many of the people commenting here. It threatens them to the extent that some cannot even see the $100,000 donation in cash in addition to the costs of 100,000 bibles for Nelson. If we assume a unit cost to Nelson of even $1.50 a copy (probably low), the cost to Nelson is $150,000 before distribution and shipping. This puts Nelson's contribution up in the realm of a quarter of a million dollars from one company. I doubt we'll see Random House giving a similar sum.In addition, like it or not, it is a fact that a very large number of the Katrina refugees are devout Christians. Many of these people look to the Bible as a source of daily solace and it is obvious, with the level of destruction, that many have lost their Bibles to the flood. Since many of the victims are the poorest of the poor, the purchase of a new Bible at any cost would be a hard cost to bear.
It seems to me that the railing and spuming of many here reveals that they have neither faith in, nor an understanding of the deeper needs of human nature.
This is a gracious gesture on Nelson's part and should be accepted as such whether you are religious or secular.
Pointer via Bob Krumm
Posted by Vanderleun at February 6, 2005 5:49 PM | TrackBackYou who are confused,full of hatred and lost of sorts, need to search out wisdom,knowledged, and God's love before makig comments of anger and bitterness. Make no mistake God our Holy Father, Yours and mine, whether yor reget this in innocence or not this is your choice, knows exactly what He is doing. He has followed His plan for humanity to a tea, right from the time of creation.Even evolution only makes God's creations that much more concrete,humans have just changed it to a therory. How we have fallen away, with a horses blinders, stubborn as mules, we want to go down kicking, in actual fact we are kicking ourselves. I will pray for you angry people.All evident and human knowledge can never comprehend the unfailing love and guidance, the plan He has for all His children not in violence but in peace and love that only a Holy Father has done for all who believe in Him,not some, but all. Any person in that flood who loves the Father knows and thirst after His love in the word and right now they are beside themselves, lonely, cold, hungry, lost all earthly things, sad. As much as food, water, and material things, their souls need nutrition also, I know I would be crying out for His word in the situation they are in. And some who don't know God, God willing, might find there way back home. Remember everyone in this world is not perfect, we all have weaknesses it is to recognize them, bring them before Him and leave them at His feet He will help you or you will stay in your own folly(it may be like Job in the Bible a living examlple onto the Lord) trusting in Him in faith and belief will bring you home. Without His knowledge there is anger, bitterness and confusion and hunger. Please allow these people who asked for these Bibles get them in grace, please allow this in dignity and not shame brought upon by selfishness in trying to prove a point. Just learn to get along, enough is enough don't you think Father is sad enough.I prayed for God to direct His message, not mine.My prayer is that Katrina will open peoples eyes to see who is in control, and what saddness people face,if they don't wake up and smell the coffee. God has given us everything! He giveth, and taketh away. According to self and recognition of a relationship with Him. You have Known HIs powers,just look around you, each day is planned by Him, search Him out, He is waiting with His arms open wide. Stop hurting one another and comply to loving each other like He commands. I will stand by this even to my death, because of the great things He has done. In Love of what God does even to this day. I have studied for many years with all religions searching out truth, There is only one truth God's truth, not man's, not woman's or children, follow in HIs way and watch what happens. I am a child of the Father and I give thanks to Him daily for His Son. Because of this He has shown me great things which I wish for all humanity. Questions: whittonclan@adelphia. net, answers only from HIs word Katy
Posted by: Katy Whitton at September 7, 2005 10:55 AM
Um...thanks, Gerard. I addes my sentiments to that page.
Posted by: growler at September 7, 2005 2:21 PM"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.