As I'm trying to post daily (and failing!), I thought I would talk a bit more about the controversy about the non-believers campaign for donations to Haiti, and how it is using the donations for self-promotion:

The controversy continues.  And it is fierce.

So let me try and illustrate what my feelings are with a story.

There is a major disaster.  Picture the scene.  Bodies in the street.  Children, newly orphaned, are being guided to trucks to take them away.  Work is still going on to search for people in the rubble.  A camera team are watching.  They see a youngster helping out.  He is well-built, and wearing a college T-shirt.  He is doing a fine job, handing out supplies, and helping to lift rubble. 

An interviewer talks to him: "Hi there.  You are doing a great job.  Where are you from?"
The youngster replies:  "I am from St Atheist's college.  Can I wave to my friends at home?  Hi people!"
Interviewer: "What inspired you to come here?"
Youngster: "I was deeply upset by the suffering here.  I wanted to do my best to help.  So, I took time off work and flew out here to help.  Many have been contributing money to fund my trip.  It has been hard work, but I hope I have done good."
Interviewer: "That's a wonderful story."
Youngster: "Yes, it's awful here, but there is a bright side to all this:  I get to promote my home college, and hopefully sell a few T-shirts by being visible out here!"

The interviewer turns way, hand on face, shaking head.  It was going so well.  The young guy is doing such good work. There is no doubting his good heart and intentions? But why did he have to ruin it at the end: a "bright side"?  With bodies in the streets?

Still, the film is broadcast.

Back home the response is very mixed. 

"How insensitive to try and promote his college based on disaster." say the critics, after having contributed to the youngster's overseas adventure.

The defenders have a range of approaches, many confusing:

"How dare you criticise him - he's a nice chap."
"How hypocritical of you to mention the college, when you you are complaining about his mentioning it?"
"Stop going on about anything other than the help!  No-one has mentioned anything other than the help!"
"What's wrong with talking about a bright side to a disaster?  Stop being so sensitive!"
"How dare you accuse him of being insensitive!  Are you calling him corrupt, or immoral?"

And these critics forget that a few days ago, when someone in the same situation from a different (St Christian's) college said the same thing, they did not hold back with the ferocity of their condemnation.