I'm sure I'm not the only one whose timeline is overflowing with this phenomenon. I feel like dozens of times a day, I am blasted with novels about why I should feel the urge to donate to everyday people and their needs. Don't get me wrong, GoFundMe is a pretty nifty way to help people struggling with medical costs or in times of tragedy. It's an even better way to reach hundreds, even thousands, of people in an effort to pull on their heartstrings and ask for their help. We should want to help those in their time of need and thanks to modern technology, we are able to do that now more than ever before with the click of a button.
However, those types of issues are not what I won't GoFund. I'm here to get it out in the open that I won't GoFund those asking for donations to afford the cost of their religious university's tuition.
There, I said it.
Around this time of year as the semester comes to an end, I see a huge increase in these types of posts:
"It has been such a blessing to attend (insert university) this fall! I need (insert amount) as a deposit by December and then have to be paid in full by January. If you feel led to help me in this journey, please donate!"
Of course, I've totally ad-libbed that example to represent dozens of these types of posts I've seen come about for the past few years. My question is: Why is your education any more important than someone who is, say, going into law? Nursing? Psychology? If Jimmy needs the funds to pay for medical school each semester, would it be as socially acceptable for him constantly to ask for donations? Probably not. I don't find it morally right to use your religion as a way to make people feel convinced to help you financially on your path of choice.
I do consider myself religious and I think it's great that I have so many friends pursuing that lifestyle so seriously. However, I do not believe that separates you on the ladder of expectations when it comes to growing up and being an adult. Fundraising is one thing, and majoring in non-profit organizations or ministry studies at a state university so that you can be substantial in your religious career is even better. Traveling across the country or globe through the simple donations of strangers is a bit superfluous, entitled and unrealistic - no matter what your work is. You can even be a disciple and spread positive messages within your own community for a fraction of the cost, if anything.
The help of the church is needed in everyone's backyard, even if you don't have the education from a special university that requires a GoFundMe to get there.
