Statement of Beliefs
True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid... - Micah 4:4 (ASV)
We believe that we are all responsible for investing our time, talents, and resources to develop a just world in which even those with the least among us have enough to live their lives with dignity and freedom from fear and want.
To that end, we recognize that charity is not justice so much as a single component of a just schema; although directly related, they are distinct constructs with different implications. While charity will always be necessary to some degree, the aforementioned objective cannot be attained chiefly through charitable endeavors. Charity is a means to help our neighbors in need who cannot do so for themselves for however long they need it. In other words, those who have resources share with those who have not. Justice will occur when the majority desires and demands a fairer system in which all who are able have the opportunity to sufficiently provide for themselves and those who cannot are properly cared for nonetheless. However, it must be understood that these objectives will only be brought to their fullest fruition when reflected in our politics as a matter of primacy.
Our world is a long way off. In the meantime, we persevere.
Although our efforts were originally inspired by Mother Teresa’s tireless work and advocacy for the poorest of the poor, our team was named for Jesus of Nazareth in homage to his passionate, out-spoken, and non-violent promotion of the worth and dignity of all people. Nevertheless, this is not a religious organization. It is a charitable one devoted to the advancement of these values as manifested in a mission to help our poorest neighbors until we, on a global scale, sincerely and wholly commit to justice as discussed above - but not because we have to, because we choose to.
Those of us who are secured in our basic needs have a moral obligation to help those of us who are not. There is nothing special about us. We are merely doing what we are supposed to be doing; however, we can only continue our work through the ongoing sacrifices of dedicated and dependable people willing to work without proclivity for reward or recognition.
We believe in peace through justice. Acts of charity are acts of justice, and acts of justice are acts of peace; therefore, acts of charity are, by extension, acts of peace. As such, providing adequately for our impoverished neighbors is the morally responsible and just thing to do - there is no debate.
In accordance with the above declarations, we extend the invitation to join our ranks and further a more humane community as expressed by these most worthy ethics.