Can we please keep the flames to a minimum?
I did not have time to read this thread until now, just some comments.
1. People helping others, regardless of religion. I know or befriended people in buddist and Christian (catholic and protestant) charities. There can be bad apples everywhere. Some charities get bad reputation but it doesn't mean the entire charity is hopeless. If you are moved, then I encourage you to travel the world and volunteer to help. Besides religious organizations, there are NGO all over the world that provide aid in varous forms. I know people who provide free legal aid, or free medical care. My own family has relatives who went to various parts of the world and USA in helping out the disadvantaged. I will do what I can and offer some free professional services when I have the time to do so but not now.
2. I do not donate to charitieis that solicite my donation directly in general. This goes for both religius and non-religious charities because too many charities simply pay themselves well and not enough % goes directly to help the people in need. If I know some charitieis that are doing good, efficient work, I will donate and I did donate. However, spare me and do not call me or write to me, asking me for donations. If you want donations, first provide me with an accounting of how you spent your money. I'm tired of giving money to enrich those administrators in charities.
3. We truly live in paradise. I have had cousins who went to Africa and other parts of the world, helping build elementary schools, get water and other basic needs. I myself have traveled in parts of the world where having a non-dirt floor house is a palace by local standard. I won't get into detail on bathroom and other stuff to gross some of you out.
Virginia, I do not know what you went through, only read a a sentence about it in a prevous post in this thread. Do not be sad, you can do something, regardless how old you are. If you are in a church, start projects, organize, coordinate, to help some needy. My cousins (yes, plural) have done this and they helped raise funds to build elementary schools in at least 2 continents that I am aware of. Some of my relatives houses contain souvenir from a few Africa and Asian countries as they help the locals.
However, I do caution you that you should finish your education first. If you get your degree and become more skilled, knowledged, it becomes easier to help others.