The Haitians are not, "Being Punished by God"

"The Haitians are Being Punished by God," proclaims Pat Robertson, they are "cursed" as a result of a "pact to the devil," and I have to disagree.

The tragedy in Haiti is being exploited by many who have rushed to set up false charities, just as there were those who adopted the camouflage of charity in the wake of the Tsunami, and almost every other natural disaster in recent memory.

But how we react says more about our nature. If your impulse is to pray, by all means do so. If your impulse is to donate money, food, or other resources to a reputable organization that is sure to get the aid to the needy in a timely manner, go now and do it. If your urge is compassionate, I don't care if you call yourself a Christian, a Buddhist, a Muslim, an atheist, a Hindu, an agnostic, a Jew, a Sikh, a Shinto, a Pagan, or any other label that suits you, I simply applaud the urge to help - even if your capacity to do so is hampered. The need is great.

If your urge is to judge the millions of people living in Haiti, as Pat Robertson has done, I suggest you heed the biblical admonition to, "judge not, lest ye be judged." Robertson is bringing even more awareness to the crisis, and possibly making millions reflect on what it means to act with Christian charity, for which I'd thank him if I thought it was deliberately done.

Before you email, retweet or suggest others update their status, please check with American Airlines, UPS, the Red Cross, and others such as this growing list about the reliability of the organization. Misinformation will not help those in crisis.

World-famous Haitian performer-activist Wyclef Jean has requested that you assist by Texting "YELE" to 501501 to send $5 to YeleHaiti for relief efforts. Wyclef founded the grassroots organization Yéle Haiti in 2005 to promote awareness about Haiti.

For non-text donations or secure donations larger than $5 to Yéle go to click-and-pledge.

Are the people in Haiti part of your community? Do you feel compassion for the suffering of those who are caught in the aftermath of an earthquake?

Kindness in words creates confidence;
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness;
Kindness in giving creates love.

Tao Te Ching