Charity and Evangelism

Union Cabinet has approved a draft bill seeking replacement of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act

Foreign contributions and donations to scores of Indian voluntary organisations, religious groups and charitable institutions every year touch nearly Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion).

Which is the biggest foreign donor?

World Vision International, a United States-based Christian relief and development organisation, is the biggest donor agency for many Indian voluntary groups. World Vision released nearly Rs 95 crore for charitable purposes for Indian agencies last year. Other big donors are Foster Parents Plan International, USA and Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, USA.

In recent sting operation, Tehelka has exposed World Vision International's covert agenda of christian evangelism and Other donor Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is well known christian evangelical organization.

So is the US the biggest foreign donor for the Indian NGOs?

Yes. As per the latest available data with the Union home ministry, the US heads the list of donor countries to India with Rs 1,492.62 crore (Rs 14.926 billion), followed by the United Kingdom (Rs 677.59 crore), and Germany (Rs 664.51 crore).

Many secularists in India wish to believe that societies in USA & Europe(Western nations) are non religious in nature but these figures prove them wrong and to the contrary reveal their religious zeal.

Which are the Indian states that receive the largest foreign donations?

Among the states and Union Territories, Delhi is the leading recipient following by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

There should be a clause in FCRA to force religious & charitable organizationsto reveal about the amount of funds they spend on charity and evangelism. It should also be noted that there are many complaints(specially during tsunami relief efforts) against some Christian organizations that they provide monetary assistance through charities to only for those who are willing to convert. Being in a pluralistic society we should not allow any organization of any religious denomination to allure people through charity to convert one's faith.