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2008-11-01, 10:17 PM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2007
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I'm just shocked by the selfishness and hypocrisy on display here.
So the charity didn't accept your money. Big deal. You don't know their reasons, but immediately you assumed it was a knee-jerk reaction to a bunch of propoganda published decades ago.
Did you ever stop to think that maybe- just maybe- reactions like THIS were what kept them away from a D&D related company? Pages and pages of arrogant e-mails and letters from entitled gamers who donated two bucks? Right now, they're probably congratulating themselves for not getting anymore involved with a community so ready to spew so much misguided hate.
In one week, this whole event is going to be forgotten around here, and the people over at that charity will still be doing their jobs.
Get over yourselves. Reactions like this reflect negatively on the gaming community.
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2008-11-01, 10:22 PM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
The Giant is not the one making such statements, nor does he actively police these boards as far as I know. Despite that, yes it would be within his rights to ignore his own rules. It would certainly make me lose a great deal of respect for him, and make me stop posting here, buying his merchandise, etc, but he would be within his rights. Fortunately he has not done so. The mods on the other hand should be policing these boards. And these kinds of posts should not exist.
And I never said doing good shields you from doing wrong. But it cracks me up how much "holier than thou" people are getting with a charity.
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2008-11-01, 10:22 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2005
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- By a Park
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
GenCon has apparently been making charitable donations for several decades now. I trust the people that arrange these auctions know the score by now. Have any of the charities they've donated to lost their non-profit status? I don't think so. There's no legal issue beyond CCF's own policies here.
It's selfish to get angry when you try to help do some good in the world and the agency you choose to do your aiding says, "no thanks, we don't want your help"? I don't follow.
So the charity didn't accept your money. Big deal. You don't know their reasons, but immediately you assumed it was a knee-jerk reaction to a bunch of propoganda published decades ago.
And, unfortunately, even the report on livegameauctions.com is worded in a way to suggest that CCF has bought into that propaganda. Since the people who wrote that page were the closest we have to a first-hand report regarding CCF's initial response to their selection as the charity for this year, we would tend to trust them.
Pages and pages of arrogant e-mails and letters from entitled gamers who donated two bucks?
Generally, he does not participate in active moderation. But please note that he has posted two or three times in this thread, and the red text quoted by Vael came directly from the Giant.
But it cracks me up how much "holier than thou" people are getting with a charity.Last edited by Shhalahr Windrider; 2008-11-01 at 10:45 PM.
The Future just ain’t what it used to be.
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2008-11-01, 10:39 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
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2008-11-01, 11:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2006
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- Raleigh NC
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I thought rules were meant to be universal. Not simply enforced or ignored based on personal convenience?
Fundamentally, it works like this: Just because a rule exists, and just
because a rule is a good rule, does not mean that you have to enforce
it the way a computer would. You're allowed to cut people slack.
The rules are made with human beings in mind, and as a result it isn't uncommon to allow people to blow off a little steam. It's sometimes better
to let people rant a bit than to robotically enforce the rules, which will
stir them up more and make them angry at YOU as well.
Here's another vocabulary word: Martinet.
A person who ignores the rules because he thinks they apply to everyone but him is a scofflaw; this is a bad thing. A martinet is the opposite; a person who religiously applies the letter of the law both to themselves and
to others in as strict a fashion as it is possible to interpret.
These people are just as bad as scofflaws. If you drive a car, imagine someone you were forced to ride with who reported you to the police
EVERY time you exceeded the speed limit by even ONE kilometer for even ONE second, regardless of reason or weakness. A person who has no give in them whatsoever.
People like that tend not to live very long. If they aren't killed by the people around them, they tend to die of high blood pressure, stroke, and other stress-related illnesses. Because human beings simply aren't made that way.
So it isn't that the rules are being broken; they're simply being applied by the mods with wisdom and common sense and recognition that they are policing real-life human beings, not robots. I applaud them for that.
That's why the Giant only issued a warning rather than locking a thread and sending all those affected an infraction.
He or the other mods *may* lock the thread and *may* issue infractions if it gets out of hand. The fact that they have not done so shows mercy and kindness for the people here, keeping the forum a welcoming place .. especially after the subject matter , provocative by its very nature, was published by the Giant himself. If you toss meat into a dog's cage, don't be surprised if it bites at it.
I believe the Giant has handled the matter so far quite well. I have no complaints.
Another thing ...
Some here actively are wishing people in the charity ill, or hoping to get someone fired.
Bear in mind, gentlemen and ladies, that these people have dedicated their lives to feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and going to the most
miserable corners of the earth. I think it only fair that we , sitting comfortably at our computers, cut them a little slack.
I believe that, whatever the words of the notice, that the gamer stereotype was a factor in the decision. I do not think it wise to reinforce that stereotype by acting in an immature fashion. I would rather *shame* them by doing a better job of living up to their ideals than they do.
Sending angry letters means they post it and say 'see how they hate us-- we must be doing something right!'
But when kind, gentle, decent people rebuke them for their action, It heaps hot coals on their heads. Done right, it can make them call their entire world view into question. Nobody cares about the insults of a belligerent teenager. But if Mother Theresa calls up just to tell you how disappointed she is? Brother, that stings.
So by all means, tell them how upset you are. By all means, take your charity dollars elsewhere. But I don't think one mistake is enough reason
to hate someone forever just because they made *one* error in judgement.
I'm living in a glass house, so I can't throw too many rocks at 'em.
Respectfully,
Brian P.
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2008-11-01, 11:54 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2005
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- My own little world.
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Hahaha what a gigantic lie that reply is.
Yes I am. And no I don't see any problems with it. Because I don't believe for a second that they're helping anything. My hatred for their organization stems from a long time ago, long before the incident that started this topic we post in now (and this incident sure didn't improve their standing). No, I will not discuss it. No, I don't care if your opinion on things is different. And yes, I will continue to wish ill will on anyone that is a part of the organization for as long as I please. I am a very hateful and vengeful person, and if that gets to you so much that you would somehow label it as "snobby," you should lighten up a bit.
Not my motivation in the slightest. Not sure if that was the reason for anybody else in this topic, but, that is kind of a lame reason to send out the e-mail.~ Smoke_Rulz ~
- Best character in the comic :D
- Extremely close second.
- Third best as of #595.
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2008-11-02, 12:07 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Yeah, well as a person who is a Christian, and not one who even shares the beliefs being railed at here, I don't feel particularly welcome here right now. If these types of comments were stated in any other thread regarding any other subject it would be locked.
On this very page I see someone called the christian community as "spewing misguided hate" Oh yes. So very appropriate. Truly, we wouldn't want to apply the rules in this situation because someone might get their feelings hurt.
I have no problem with the Giant himself, because I can see where he is asking people not to say such things, but I have lost a great, great deal of respect for both our moderators and the community of this board.
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2008-11-02, 12:11 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2008
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2008-11-02, 01:02 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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- USA
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Here is one link.
See the note at the bottom. I can only assume they did not make that up.
For those who are upset with those of us who are annoyed the money was refused, that is your right. You can say they have every right to refuse any donation for any reason and that is your prerogative. Please note, they spent nearly $25 million on fundraising for the 06/07 fiscal year. They work very hard to get donations for their cause so one would think they would accept what they get.
For those of you who say my $2 isn't worth crying about, try sponsoring a child for years only to read something that says they don't want the money possibly "tainted" by D&D. I am miffed, to put it politely.
When Gen Con contacted CCF about its auction, we were pleased to accept donations. However, we couldn’t lend our name for publication because our policies have specific criteria for endorsements…. We were disappointed that we were not the recipients of the donation but we were pleased that another worthy organization benefited.
Facts and Figures
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2008-11-02, 01:18 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2008
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
That's the same site as the original source, though, and the way they mentioned it makes me question it somewhat.
Actually, that makes it look pretty good. It's actually ranked slightly higher than Plan USA. It might not be a four-star charity but a three-star ("Exceeds or meets industry standards and performs as well as or better than most charities in its Cause.") is still a good rating.
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2008-11-02, 01:27 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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- USA
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I wasn't saying they were bad - they have actually improved if you look at their history - I was citing my source.
I will be miffed if the original source of all this was incorrect is saying:
The Original charity, the Christian Children's Fund, won't accept any money that may have been tainted by Dungeons and Dragons.Last edited by Barroque; 2008-11-02 at 01:31 AM.
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2008-11-02, 01:33 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2005
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- My own little world.
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Analogies that make no sense are awesome! And regardless, I knew nothing of Enron before or after that whole shindig went down. Did I not just say I have reasons for hating the CCF organization and every misguided fool who gets involved with it?
Also, I'm finished speaking with you. You can quit caring about my opinion now.~ Smoke_Rulz ~
- Best character in the comic :D
- Extremely close second.
- Third best as of #595.
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2008-11-02, 02:01 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I also don't get why people are acting like this company is depriving starving children of this money. It's not like they took the money and burnt it, they just don't personally want to be represented by it. For whatever reason, that is their right.
It's not as if the money can't just be given to another less discriminate charity. Face it. People are not outraged "for the children!" they are outraged because they got snubbed.
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2008-11-02, 03:50 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2006
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I found this on the DnD Website in a forum.
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1107905
I hope this clears up some of the abuse =P.
Dear (i removed my name), **this was the person that posted this AKA Knights_disciple
Thank you for writing to Anne Goddard and sharing your concerns. Anne was traveling when she received your email. We discussed your concern and she asked that I respond on her behalf. Please know that we take your email very seriously.
There appears to be a misunderstanding which I would like to correct. When Gen Con contacted CCF about its auction, we were pleased to accept donations. However, we couldn’t lend our name for publication because our policies have specific criteria for endorsements. We were unaware that this had caused any problem or concern for Gen Con until we began receiving emails. This decision was in no way intended to be a reflection on Mr. Gygax, gaming enthusiasts or the game Dungeon and Dragons. We have the utmost respect for the gaming community and were touched by the generosity expressed through your auction. We were disappointed that we were not the recipients of the donation but we were pleased that another worthy organization benefited.
We realize this has become a topic of discussion in the gaming community and we hope you will help us by sharing this response.
The needs of children are great and we welcome your support. Should you wish to learn more we invite you to visit our website at www.christianchildrensfund.org.
Again, I thank you for taking the time to voice your concern. Your passion for gaming and your support for children are admirable.
Sincerely,
Cheri Dahl
Vice President, International Communications and Fundraising
Christian Children's Fund
2821 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, Virginia 23294
(804) 756-2702
[email protected]
www.christianchildrensfund.org"This text is yellow.Spoiler
TUBATAR!
Why? Because tuba is the awesomeness.
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2008-11-02, 04:34 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I'm sure this has been said before, but this response by CCF does not strike me as containing an actual answer to anything; it feels like a PR coverup. They screwed up as big time as the Paypal/SA/Katrina incident, and are deservedly taking flak for it.
This is why I don't donate to charities that have an additional ideology beyond the charity itself. An organisation that helps starving children is excellent; whereas a Christian organisation that helps starving children, no matter how well-intended, tends to eventually get into a situation where the two goals end up in conflict. And then you get such organisations refusing to hire people who aren't devout enough, or refusing to work in countries where a "use condoms" message is being spread, and it gets messy.Guide to the Magus, the Pathfinder Gish class.
"I would really like to see a game made by Obryn, Kurald Galain, and Knaight from these forums. I'm not joking one bit. I would buy the hell out of that." -- ChubbyRain
Crystal Shard Studios - Freeware games designed by Kurald and others!
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2008-11-02, 04:36 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Guide to the Magus, the Pathfinder Gish class.
"I would really like to see a game made by Obryn, Kurald Galain, and Knaight from these forums. I'm not joking one bit. I would buy the hell out of that." -- ChubbyRain
Crystal Shard Studios - Freeware games designed by Kurald and others!
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2008-11-02, 04:48 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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2008-11-02, 06:32 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
My comment about "in this case" was intended to say- the only reason they are wrong to reject the money, is that they are wrong about D&D. Their worldview may be right in every other way (I wouldn't know) but if they feel D&D is inherently evil, they are in error. (this is in my personal opinion, however)
However, if they rejected it entirely for other reasons, thats a different issue entirely.
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2008-11-02, 09:45 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
And, you know what will be by far the best way of getting shamefaced apologies out of them? Forgiveness.
Big letter or petition from all the people they would normally approve of, saying- We forgive you for holding these outdated and erroneous views about our hobby, etc, etc, with numerous mentions of the children and their needs.
How does that sound?
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2008-11-02, 09:59 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jan 2008
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- Australia
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Hah haha. You know, that wouldn't surprise me. Although the reason spouted was more "dark magic" and "devil-worship" and other witch-burning mumbo-jumbo.
The main issue is not the hurt feelings of a bunch of gamers, although it would be quite a slap in the face to have contributed towards a noble cause and then to be told your money isn't good enough. I don't really care about the misguided views members of the CCF may hold about DnD either; it is rather likely that they are ignorant about a great deal more. The issue is that they refused $17,000 that was supposed to improve the lives of needy children. In doing so they have demonstrated that they would put their ideological concerns above the welfare of the people they are meant to be caring for. That is a contemptible position for a charity to take, and not surprisingly, people reject it.
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2008-11-02, 10:06 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Its not entirely new though. Don't get angry, find some other way to help.
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2008-11-02, 10:14 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2006
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
i am calling anteros and birdface out on being trolls.
either that or they has not read the full thing. anteros did not realize that the giant was in on this, he was 4 posts away from my post describing exactly what I hoped to get out of the letters (and it would behoove birdface to read it, as well) and, as a person who has been posting since page... 2 or 3, i cant recall any attacks on christianity itself. maybe on them for being silly christians (replace silly with any number of negative descriptors) but the fact of the matter is, describing them as silly is true, and describing them as christian is true. i have not once felt insulted by this thread, and i know other christians posting here will agree.
chill guys, any issue that may or may not be here is being exasperated by your rash posting.Last edited by CabbageTheif; 2008-11-02 at 10:18 AM.
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2008-11-02, 10:23 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2008
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
My apologies if I seem aggressive in this message, but your statements seem quite baffling to me.
Actually, it was a perfectly fine analogy, given that you're blaming everyone in the company for a decision a few people made.
However, as you gave no information whatsoever about your reasons for hating the entire organization, I can't actually say anything in direct response to it, which is why I mentioned the Enron thing. However, it does seem strange to me that something would make you hate every single person in an organization. Granted, if it was something like the KKK, where it's a requirement you be a nut to join it, that's something. But I see no such mentality in CCF. You don't even have to be a Christian to work in it.
You've even stated earlier that "I don't believe for a second they're helping anything." Are you honestly stating that what they've been doing--helping chileren--isn't helping ANYTHING? If you think this action or whatever incident it is you're referring to works against that, fine, but it's ridiculous to claim they're not helping anything. And how does helping out children make someone a "misguided fool"?
Also, I'm finished speaking with you. You can quit caring about my opinion now.
But, hey, okay, don't talk to me about it...I'll try not to infringe on your apparently extremely important hate.Last edited by Lord Seth; 2008-11-02 at 10:33 AM.
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2008-11-02, 10:31 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
my argument was even if they made decision based on bad info, that doesn't make them bad people.
I'm not sure how convincing the whole "no endorsements" claim is.Last edited by hamishspence; 2008-11-02 at 10:31 AM.
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2008-11-02, 10:34 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2008
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2008-11-02, 10:49 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2006
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
I also received the email response Yarram has posted above and I'd like to highlight this part:
However, we couldn’t lend our name for publication because our policies have specific criteria for endorsements.
I'm fully prepared to admit I was angry at the perceived snub as opposed to being outraged about the poor children who wouldn't receive the money. I'm also happy to admit that I no longer feel snubbed.
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2008-11-02, 10:49 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Any idealogy that involves sacrificing lives of others for personal beliefs deserves very close examination and suspicion.
However, this might only apply to active sacrifice- simply Not Helping might not count.
EDIT: Endorsement bit may be true- how closely has it been examined?Last edited by hamishspence; 2008-11-02 at 10:50 AM.
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2008-11-02, 11:00 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2006
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- The Town
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
ok, seth, i must have missed that one.
hi librarian! havent seen you in.... years? i am barely on the forums. its good to see you!
for you and hs; we all know about the endorsing thing... from my understanding, everything was in place. EVERYTHING. and it was a last minuet decision to back out. they might say some legal mumbo jumbo, but as i understand it, the legal mj only came into effect after they found out about the d&d thing.
before=they were legally fine with endorsement being whatever it was or wasnt
after they knew= suddenly backed out, endorsement rules and regs.
and solely for HS: many religions count inaction as being as destructive as negative action. if you see a starving child you could (A) give it food (B) ignore and walk (C) kick it. good, neutral, evil. in the end of the day, neutral and evil still means the child eats nothing.
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2008-11-02, 11:07 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
CCF would have been the official charity of Gen Con, which is about as "endorsed" as you get...
As it was, the official charity was actually Fisher House. If you were at Indy this year, you probably saw that name a few times. I noticed it simply because my wife and I normally give to Fisher House.
Attempting to divine the intentions of CCF by relying on stereotypes is about as ridiculous as calling D&D demonic.
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2008-11-02, 11:08 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Feb 2007
Re: Charity Rejects D&D Money - Let's Write Letters!
Very good analogy. But a neutral act, while certainly not be be admired, is also difficult to condemn.
Lets try another one- you are "shopping for charities" that help the starving. you meet one, chat to it, tell them you'll come back with the money.
While away, you rethink and do some research- the charity has an idealogy you personally don't like.
You return and say "I'm sorry, I cannot support your idealogy by giving you the money I informally promised."
You go out and give the money to another Help The Starving charity you do not object to.
If the first charity were to condemn you, it wouldn't have a moral leg to stand on.
So, why not in reverse?