Jun 16th, 2009
Posted by Joel Engardio, ACLU at 5:45pm	Human Rights, Religion & Belief

Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity

The Sunday collection plate is as American as religion itself. Americans are religious and generous when it comes to charitable giving. They often go together. There’s Catholic Charities and Mormons famously tithe a percentage of their income. Muslims are also big givers. One of the “five pillars” of Islam is zakat, which is a form of tithing. It is the religious duty of Muslims to help others by giving to charity. But Muslims in the U.S. are having a difficult time freely practicing this vital part of their faith. This short video, “Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity” explains why:

Please note that by playing this clip You Tube and Google will place a long-term cookie on your computer. Please see You Tube's privacy statement on their website and Google's privacy statement on theirs to learn more. To view the ACLU's privacy statement, click here.

Anti-terrorism laws that purport to keep funds from being illegally funneled to terrorist groups actually target wholly innocent Muslim donors. While these policies are important to keep Americans safe, they are broadly applied and innocent people are prosecuted with little evidence. The result is that legitimate Muslim charities, like a women’s shelter in New York City featured in the video, are hurt because people are scared to donate. U.S. Muslims fear a knock on the door from the FBI when they write a check to a legal American charity registered with the IRS. While the charities themselves suffer, individual Muslims give up a fundamental religious tenet because of the fear. The result is a blow to all Americans who value religious freedom and the importance of charitable giving.

Permalink |	Human Rights, Religion & Belief

1. Maggie Says:
   Jun 17th, 2009 at 7:11am

   Before I give to any charity I always check the BBB (Better Business Bureau) Accredited Charity list. They have a list of charities that have enrolled in this service. Their name is not on the list I do not give. Perhaps this might help. There should at least be something from the Govt. that shows unacceptable charities for whatever reason.

2. Paen Says:
   Jun 17th, 2009 at 3:13pm

   It's time for decent people to stand up and end this damn witch hunt now!

3. Rowen Says:
   Jun 25th, 2009 at 7:38pm

   This just makes me SICK. I agree with Maggie, above. A list of "safe" charities that are NOT contributing to terrorist organizations should be make ubiquitously available and should be continuously updated. No group should be excluded in this "witch hunt" fashion! How come the Feds didn't do anything about the charity-cash collectors at many retail outlets in the 80s? I think that money may have gone to fund cocaine production to buy guns in Central America during Regan's tenure.

4. Levittown Says:
   Jun 25th, 2009 at 8:50pm

   If the charity is registered why would the FBI investigate the donor ? I cannot believe they do.

5. vicente m. Says:
   Jun 25th, 2009 at 9:35pm

   to al musulms, our AMAZING GOD, bless you, don't forget that we are with you and that all this been going through is the same that hispanic people his been going through, bush administration was the first terrorist in the world and now I know they got to be judge. don't forget that theres a GOD in the heavens and that early or late is gonna take care of them.

6. Greg Benson Says:
   Jun 25th, 2009 at 11:08pm

   Quit picking on the muslims. Its a damn witch-hunt. I think the govenment just needed a convenient enemy and they chose the defenseless peacefull muslims as an easy target. Shame on our government. Shame on anyone that supportts this.

7. Greg Benson Says:
   Jun 25th, 2009 at 11:09pm

   Moderation, my ass, leave the muslims alone

8. Reinhold Schlieper Says:
   Jun 26th, 2009 at 4:35pm

   Samy Al-Arian was fired from the University of South Florida when he supported Palestinian causes. He was hounded legally until he gave up and plea-bargained his way out of the country. Perhaps someone else knows more about that case. But it was a fairly egregious event.

9. Darrell P Says:
   Jun 26th, 2009 at 7:42pm

   It is not as cut and dry as a lot of you think. I have been involved in the exposing of money going to terrorists.

10. Daniel Says:
    Jun 26th, 2009 at 10:08pm

    While I value the concept of free practice of religion, it obviously cannot be done at the cost of other individual's liberties. It should therefore be noted that some restrictions on faith are in order. Specifically anY tenet which disallows equal representation of individuals. In both Christianity and Islam there are many precepts which indicate that women are not equal to men, (which is false, at least in the USA), and therefore cannot be allowed to be practiced or protected as religious tenets. Other than that, GO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY!

11. The_Mentalist Says:
    Jul 1st, 2009 at 2:24am

    Any smart and educated mind would already have known this and many other events that have been taking place against Muslims today: The govt. response against Muslims here and anywhere is disproportionate and cowardice.

    There is a ceaseless quest for an enemy to destroy. There is no enemy until the govt. policymakers make one.

12. Jim Says:
    Jul 11th, 2009 at 10:10am

    All Muslims need to repent and cofess your sins. Make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life!

13. Bill Says:
    Aug 22nd, 2009 at 10:16am

    The ACLU speaks of religious freedom for ALL Americans...hmmm...why the attack on Christianity then? Two school officials at Pace High bless the food and now they may spend time in jail and lose their pension. This appears to be why the ACLU exists...to protect everyone’s religious freedom IAW the Constitution. But what the ACLU has done is attack two model Americans. As Americans they had a God given right to pray before the meal. Let’s face it folks, the ACLU is communist, socialist and totalitarian in nature. They only care about the removal of Christianity in this country. I can remember being in school and singing religious songs. I was never forced, but enjoyed it. We've take religion out of schools and look what it has produced. Kids are out of control; STDs are everywhere; suicide rates are up. What was right when I was a child is now wrong. The ACLU protects child molesters and rapists…are you kidding me?! Back to religion: The charitable giving for Muslim organizations is fine, however, we need to ensure the money is being used legally and not sent to those who wish to kill us. As a reminder, Muslims who do not believe as the radical Muslims do are also infidels. Imagine if Christians did this...we would stand up against them and defeat them. Stand up against those who claim to be Muslim, or are you afraid. As a Christian, I would not want my charitable donations filtered to a radical organization that uses Christianity as a front to finance the destruction of abortion clinics. Let’s not lose sight that you cannot compare a few destroyed abortion clinics to what radical Islam has done all over the world...it's not the same. We must remember, radical Muslims drove planes into the towers, Pentagon (I was there) and PA, not Christians. Hey ACLU, protect my rights to be a Christian.

14. MC Says:
    Aug 25th, 2009 at 8:51pm

    Bill is right: there are around 100 million extreme muslims who want to
    destroy all civilizations in order to
    establish worldwide Islam, they will
    kill, destroy, steal and lie do what-
    ever to accomplish this in the name of allah.
    Fortunately the Qahal Yahweh will prevail in the end.

15. MC Says:
    Aug 25th, 2009 at 8:55pm

    Comment awaiting moderation?
    no he dicho eso!

16. RW Says:
    Sep 19th, 2009 at 11:46am

    Bullshit! I agree with Bill who is #13 above!!!!!!!!!

17. SCJ Says:
    Oct 14th, 2009 at 10:43am

    Hey Bill, maybe I wouldn't want my food prayed over. Ever think that one person's standard of faith is not another's?

18. Bill Says:
    Oct 17th, 2009 at 8:28am

    SCJ,

    I understand that you may believe differently than I do, and that is fine. Jesus was Jewish, but started Christianity, and as such, this country was founded on Judeo-Christian values? Not Muslim values, Atheist values, or satanic values. I also understand praying a Christian prayer may offend you, but not praying a Christian prayer offends me and other Christians like me. Does that count for anything? Apparently, not in todays society, but in the end, Jesus wins. Just remember, whether you believe in Him or not, He does love you, and is waiting for you to come to Him. God Bless you.

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