If a religion you disagree with is running a worthwhile cause does that stop you from participating? Examples?

No, because when it comes to helping others, I don't see religion I see community helping others. We are all aiming for the same cause.

Until I moved to a big city, I ran a large Christian based charity shop as a volunteer with about 70 other volunteers on board. We sold quality second-hand clothes for a couple of dollars each. We gave people food if they needed that kind of help. We found shelter for the homeless. We helped folk with their problems. I ran the show.

Now ... why do I mention this? I don’t want your applause or a pat on the back etc.

You don’t know me and I don’t really know you. So let me tell you one thing about me. In all my life (and I turn 55 shortly) I have never considered myself a Christian. I don’t tip my hat to any one religion actually. I operate in the occult (the western hermetic tradition et al). Some of you can close your mouths now and stop looking like stunned mullets (grins).

I might disagree with some of the basic tenets of a religion, but that will never prevent me from lending a hand in the community.

Why not have a joint operation? You both know that you disagree on something, but agree on the cause (i.e. feeding the hungry and sheltering the needy). I think this a human problem, common to all religions. We can all learn to work together, and too bad that things will probably have to get a lot worse before they get any better.

Not always, but sometimes.

Example is the Salvation Army. I do not believe in Christianity or god, but I give to them. Why, you may ask?

Because their CEO makes less than $150k per year (vs. American Red Cross upper 20 people making millions and millions annually), they do great works and nearly every dime I give goes directly to the people in need. And they do not turn anyone away from their help based on the needy person's beliefs. They are just a solid organization that does great things for people in need.

Then there is my aunt and uncle who started a charity that will only help members of their congregation. They told me once at a Thanksgiving dinner that I was going to burn in hell because I was not a member of their church. Then at Christmas I received a card with a donation envelope in it. I took out a piece of paper and wrote, "I do not contribute to hypocrites" and mailed it to them.

Needless to say, I don't get Christmas cards from them anymore....

Generally, the only worthwhile cause I share with a lot of religions is helping out less fortunate people.

And there are plenty of non-religious groups out there who handle that.

By "cause" I am assuming fundraiser or other do-good task. Jews call it mitzvah.

If I think the proceeds or other results of the event are going to the advertised cause (ie breast cancer research) rather than to the religious organization, then I have no problem participating.

For the past ten years my Jewish family has sponsered a needy family for Christmas celebration.

We also, several times per year, serve food at a shelter run by a Catholic organization.

That's just a few examples.

If it's a cause you believe in then religion shouldn't matter. They are trying to better something and if you want to get involved then do it. Nothing wrong with it, but if people start talking about what religion you are or try and "convert" you politely say "I'm happy with what I believe in, but thanks"

Well, it ends up helping the religion because its advertising for them besides the fact that they skim off some of the donations for no good reason.

You have to fight for what you believe in!

if you honestly believe in your heart for this cause, then help the cause, not the religion.