I would bet that each one of you that responded to this question is Christian, and I would offer for your consideration, therefore not able to clearly see the point. I find this to be an interesting issue in many venues of our lives. =20 If you present your organization as a "Christian Based" organization and/or make that representation in your mission statement you will alienate those who are not Christian. If you truly wish to help all, why identify your organization with a particular group? If your statement is to identify your values, why do you think that your "Christian values" are any different than any other faiths? =20 I would echo Michelle's sentiment, and particularly the last paragraph. Something to consider if you truly want to reach all people. Faye J. Kaufman KSA Industries, Inc./Tennessee Titans Director of Corporate Tax 713 881-3442 713 881-3421 Fax fkaufman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: tri-med-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tri-med-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of jwaite Sent: Friday, December 15, 2006 3:28 PM To: tri-med@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tri-med] Re: Emmanuel's Foundation - A Cornerstone Support Community ----- Original Message -----=20 From: "Kaufman, Faye" <fkaufman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > How can something be "Christian based" and provide support to "non > Christians? My feeling about such groups is that they CAN provide info and support BUT=20 you have to be willing to listen to/receive the group/person's religious doctrine/thoughts/beliefs as well. Personally I avoid groups that right off the bat proclaim themselves as=20 'religious based'. I've had groups want to have me as an online reference=20 for t-14 but I won't if it's a religious site. I'll allow my name to be=20 given on an 'as needed' basis for t-14 contact for that group but that's it. Religious groups also tend to be pro-life so that immediately excludes=20 anyone of a pro-choice belief from using that site if they don't want to be=20 beaten up verbally. While the majority of participants on such a site would perhaps be tolerant=20 you will always have the few that make it their mission to 'spread the=20 word' and beliefs of their faith and condemn those who don't follow with them. Also, many of those of other religious beliefs (Jewish, Muslim, Hindu,=20 atheist, agnostic, etc) are going to be put off if it's a "Christian" site.=20 They have their own faith and/or beliefs and possibly aren't going to be happy to be receiving frequent references of other religions when what they=20 want is trisomy support/info. Most people looking for support or info are looking for just that. Adding=20 other 'requirements' or sub-context to the group makes it less viable to the=20 general population that could use the help. For those of the same mind though it's probably a great thing to find others=20 'just like them'. And if you KNOW going in that a site has this sub-context=20 than you are in the position of deciding if it's for you. My feeling is that those who set up sites that are somewhat exclusionary do=20 so on purpose as they have a further agenda to spread. It may be a basically innocent intent but there is some other 'meaning' that=20 they are trying to promote. Otherwise it would be just a group with no other=20 parameters than for info and support--open to one and all with no underlying=20 message. Just my opinion! Michelle mom to Alex (19, partial trisomy 14 mosaic) and Molly (16) MichiganUSA=20 Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows www.trisomyonline.org Families Helping Families On-line Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows www.trisomyonline.org Families Helping Families On-line