How charitable is cold calling?
You may say, “what a ridiculous question, it’s obvious there is no charity in cold-calling,” yet we have recently seen how a number of large charities in the UK think it is appropriate to ‘cold-call’ people to raise money for their charities, including Oxfam, Save the Children and Cancer Research amongst others.
They employ companies to do the dirty work – and dirty work it is indeed. The undercover videos (1) (2) accompanying the recent media article – “VICTORY! After Mail exposé reveals shame of charity cold call sharks, PM pledges tough new laws to tackle ‘boiler room’ tactics targetting the elderly and vulnerable” – published by the Daily Mail UK (3), show the tactics that are used to get people to part with their cash. No one is spared from being given this opportunity to donate including elderly pensioners and those with dementia.
How twisted and distorted is the thinking that converts the imposing technique of cold-calling elderly people with dementia, using tactics to coerce them to donate money to the charity, and calls it “giving them the opportunity to donate”?
How far removed have people become from what are ethically and morally acceptable practices? To me, cold-calling people and effectively coercing and forcing them to donate is the absolute antithesis of charity. Whilst they may argue that no force is used, I would have to disagree. It takes a force devoid of true love and care to cold-call and force, harass, coerce, persuade and talk around people to donate to a charity.
The word charity comes from the Latin caritas, translated variably as meaning eternal love, unconditional love, God’s love, love of all mankind, generous love, Christian love.
The latter of course refers to the love that is the Christ that lives within every human being – not just those who profess to be Christian or who align to the Christian religion: the Christ being the energy of the soul (of love) in embodiment, something that every human being has the potential to live.
What is consistent is that it is a love that is freely given, with no attachments, expectations, investments, needs or demands. And so it follows that true charity is acts done, money given, time and space offered, with no investment of self of any kind – where there is absolutely nothing in it for us, but we do what we do and give what we give with, from and for love.
It sounds simple – but perhaps is not so easy to live given our human predilection for “what’s in it for me, me, me, me?” to take hold. There are the obvious and not so obvious investments, attachments, and other emotional hooks than can catch us out, for example:
- Do we feel better about ourselves for having given to a charity?
- Have we given just because everyone else is giving?
- Have we given out of guilt – the haves vs the have nots? Guilty that others are less well off than ourselves?
- Have we given because it is expected, but it’s not really something we want to do?
- Have we given to not be shown up in some way, to be considered uncharitable, a miser – or thought to be hard of heart?
- Do we give out of pity or sympathy for those deemed less well off?
- Have we given and then resented the fact that we gave our hard-earned cash away? Or our time to a project, a charity, cause, a friend in need, when we really would have preferred to have been doing something else, something better, something for me and my family?
And so the list goes on… If any of the above resonate, then we know we have not given in true charity but have had some investment or need for self.
And so perhaps there are not too many people or charities out there who are truly giving of their time and money with ZERO investment of self. Certainly all of the above charities that were exposed in this media article for cold-calling and haranguing people for money using ‘boiler-room tactics’ are far, far removed from true charity.
Of course it’s always easy to point the finger at others when the real work is looking at ourselves and removing our own attachments and investments, which requires a radical self-honesty to clock when we are doing something for self, when the “what’s in it for me” rises up, and when it is purely and simply for the love of all.
I can recognise both within myself: times when I have done something but there was an undercurrent of resentment about it, and other times when I have freely given with zero need for anything in return. The two feel quite different in my body. The first is heavy and sticky, the second is open, expansive and free-flowing.
I have been privileged to learn about and see first hand true charity at work through the living example of Serge Benhayon.
For over 7 years I have witnessed and experienced him give of his time and services freely to hundreds and hundreds of people, including myself, over and above his paid work. But it has not just been the giving, but the quality that comes with that giving; his patience is unending, every individual is totally held, listened to and met with love no matter how big or small the issue is, there is no rushing to get away, no flicker of resentment or frustration, for there is only true caritas, true caring, true charity. The list of the ways that he has given of his time and services freely to support many across the world would fill a book.
Many have been inspired by his example and subsequently the students of Universal Medicine have established the College of Universal Medicine Charity, which endeavours to live by and adhere to the principles of true charity – where there is no investment of self. I know for certain that cold-calling will never be part of this charity for there is absolutely nothing charitable about cold-calling and persuading people to part with their money. If it is not freely given with love, without force, coercion, persuasion, guilt, sympathy, resentment, need, attachment, expectation or investment, then it is not true charity.
The College of Universal Medicine Charity is a forum through which we can return to the community that which has been given to us. We all know how much our lives have benefitted from applying and living the principles of the Ageless Wisdom as presented and lived by Serge Benhayon through Universal Medicine: lives have been transformed, with people ultimately healing themselves of all kinds of physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual ills, literally being empowered to be who they truly are and share that with the world.
It is by its very nature not something that can be contained within or held for a few, but calls out to be freely given to all mankind that they too may know who they are and arise out of the quagmire, misery, struggles and suffering in which many find themselves embroiled – in the knowing that they are already healed, already whole, already love and thus there is no need for any pity, sympathy, attachment or investment of any kind.
True Charity is Love Blessing Love.
By Eunice Minford, MB ChB MA Dipl Clin Ed FRCS Ed
References:
- Video 1: Undercover Footage Reveals GoGen Training Techniques
- Video 2: Undercover Footage In the Call Centre at GoGen
- “VICTORY! After Mail expose reveals shame of charity cold call sharks, PM pledges tough new laws to tackle ‘boiler room’ tactics targeting the elderly and vulnerable,” Daily Mail UK, 11th July 2015 [Accessed from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3156846/VICTORY-Mail-expose-reveals-shame-charity-cold-call-sharks-PM-pledges-tough-new-laws-tackle-boiler-room-tactics-targeting-elderly-vulnerable.html on 25th August 2015]
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Eunice Minford works as Consultant General Surgeon in N. Ireland and is a student of Universal Medicine. You can learn more about Eunice Minford at her website www.thesoulfuldoctor.co.uk where she blogs and writes about life, love, religion, science and health.
You can follow Eunice Minford on twitter @TheSoulfulDoc |
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Serge Benhayon is an author and presenter and the founder of Universal Medicine. You can learn more about Serge Benhayon at his personal website www.sergebenhayon.com
Follow Serge Benhayon on Twitter @SergeBenhayon or on Google+ +SergeBenhayon |
Further Reading:
A World First Volunteer Model
The College Of Universal Medicine
Serge Benhayon – A True Role Model
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
This is a key sentence Eunice – it really supports us in bringing awareness to how we feel with anything that is asked of us: “I can recognise both within myself: times when I have done something but there was an undercurrent of resentment about it, and other times when I have freely given with zero need for anything in return. The two feel quite different in my body. The first is heavy and sticky, the second is open, expansive and free-flowing.”
Interesting the term ‘cold calling’ – as I was not that familiar with it, but I understand now and can see how it is simply about calling out to people who have no previous contact or association with a business and simply calling them to get funding – but done generally in a non ethical way which of course contradicts the whole charity status.
Wow, Eunice – this is a great article that explores the various ways that we can give to charities but not give with a ‘true heart’ – in other words we can give because of feeling guilty or we can give because we feel we should etc etc – none of which come from a genuine connection to ourselves and a feeling to contribute.
This is a great blog in exposing the evil that can exist in charities, the tactics used to get people to give from a sense of guilt, sympathy, recognition, and more, instead of us choosing to love ourselves, and share that love with humanity, ‘it’s always easy to point the finger at others when the real work is looking at ourselves and removing our own attachments and investments, which requires a radical self-honesty to clock when we are doing something for self, when the “what’s in it for me” rises up, and when it is purely and simply for the love of all.’
It is clear that our standards have definitely dropped with regards to what is both moral and ethical and something that obviously needs to be addressed, discussed and raised with many things.
Spot on VIcky – this is a great example showing how we have dropped standards and in our world there is a ‘normalisation’ of behaviour that is actually outrageous to many in many ways.
“it has not just been the giving, but the quality that comes with that giving” The quality of love that Serge Benhayon shares with humanity is Divine charity.
The ‘true caritas’ and patience of Serge Benhayon is truly remarkable, an inspiration to witness and a blessing to receive.
I hate it when cold callers come to the door because you can tell the conversation is a script and often comes with a guilt trip. I don’t play ball with that.
And what I also hate is that they are playing on the feelings of guilt of the person they are calling on.
Thank you for the original meaning of the word Charity Eunice. It’s not surprising that unless you research it back to that point we find the common meaning offered is not as truthful = “Christian love of one’s fellows”. ie ‘eternal love, unconditional love, God’s love, love of all mankind, generous love, Christian love (the love that Christ is) being claimed by one religion. An absolute reduction of God’s love and therefore open to the bastardisation of ‘charity’ within our society.
I’ve heard many things about charities and their undercover ways, but i had no idea that they actually coldcall to raise money. Nobody likes to be cold-called because we know the energy used in these calls – people try to persuade you in all ways possible, just to hit their target and get a bonus at the end of it… how manipulative is that, and if that is the energy used to get that money, I can only imagine how much of it actually reaches the cause.
I have wondered if we added up all the money that has been donated to charities what percentage actually reached those in need and has that money made a long term difference? If we take Africa as an example from all I have read there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of change and I wonder what are the dynamics at play that in spite of all the money invested that there appears to be no end to the poverty. Could it be we are looking for solutions without understanding the root cause of the problem.
The guilt trip tactics charities use is despicable, especially where the elderly are concerned. For years my (now deceased) mother would send money for a girl in Africa who was writing her letters and sending her Christmas cards, and she believed that she was genuinely helping someone to go to school. Then one day she received a picture and a letter from a girl who looked nothing like the girl she had been supporting for years and it really upset her.
I used to feel guilty when walking past people in supermarkets that were collecting for charity. Like if I cannot give up a couple of pound then I am a really bad person. However feeling more connected with the love in my heart and body I no longer feel guilty. Doing anything out of guilt including giving people money to feel ‘good’ ‘better’ about ourselves or ‘nice’ only contributes to the mess that the world is currently in and does not get us out of anything in fact it adds to it! We have a lot to learn here.
Cold calling is but the tip-of-the-iceberg of the falseness of charity in the name of doing good. If charities really achieved long-term benefit how come so many African countries having had billions of pounds and millions of man-hours invested in them are in turmoil?
Serge Benhayon has definitely shown me what true charity is over the years by his own manner and actions and that of the Universal Medicine staff. Feeling the marker of absolutely unconditional love exposes anything that is not. His presentations have helped me to see through the motives of myself and others in donating to charities and as outlined in the article, they are all about making ourselves feel better.
Yes, Serge Benhayon and all that he has established and lives is the true example of charity.
Serge Benhayon brings truth to many areas of our lives, simply by his living way.
The problem with most charities is that they constantly want something from you. The College of Universal Medicine is not like that at it. It presents courses at a very reduced price that support people to live in a way that is more supportive for them.
I agree with you Elizabeth, Universal Medicine supports people to reconnect to themselves in a way that supports them to live life with true vitality.
I have had a number of conversation recently where ‘charities’ in general have been discussed and every person I spoke to said that they would not give any money to a charity. There were questions about the promises made about money collected, there were statements about the increasing incidents of sexual predators in overseas aid organisations. What’s really being exposed here is the the facade of ‘doing good’ and how can true good be done when there is all of this underhanded things going on behind the scenes. No different to what we are seeing with the churches and organisations and the cover up and protection of people who have been harming others under the cover of “but I am doing good”
True charity is about allowing someone feel where they are at and the consequence of choices made, without trying to fix it but also showing them that there is another way, that they can make other choices. No telling or advising needed just a living way that can and is felt.
Beautiful and very true what you share in this comment, which brings it back to the importance of how we live in every second of every day, our living way.
We have a relationship with the world and its whereabouts. We make a stand regarding them. Charities may or may not be part of it. They do not have to be in your mind even if this means that you do not accept to play the game of being confirmed as a generous, cool person and be looked down from the people working for them to collect your money. It is just a game afterall.
A wonderful example of , and redefinition of the word charity, in truth.
I loathe being accosted either by phone, email or in person by someone selling anything. Whether they are selling the latest skin cream miracle, or donations to the latest money raising agenda is irrelevant. I avoid both as I despise the imposition of someone trying to sway another.
Well said Heather – it is the intent of anyone trying to convince another of something that holds an imposition but under the guise of good – this has a smell to it that lingers…and not in a pleasant way at all.
If people had no personal investment to gain from giving to charities, I wonder how much money the charities would receive?
Thank you Eunice, it’s an enormous topic and one I can relate to. I often have sales people door knock and the tactics are very similar, quite pressurising to conform to the salespersons agenda and if I persistently say “No” there can at times be a subtle retaliation. In general though what you have shared here can relate to every interaction we have in life, and whether we hold others in true unconditional love or have attachments, agendas, investments, or place other impositions on the person. Serge is definitely an amazing role model for unconditional love to refer to and inspire. It’s a huge undertaking to examine unconditional love in our lives but well worth it.
Serge Benhayon is an inspiration for living with love for all, no matter what they do – an incredible man.
Such a powerful pose of an issue that is very prevalent in our culture and often tolerated.This is a joy to read however…”The word charity comes from the Latin caritas, translated variably as meaning eternal love, unconditional love, God’s love, love of all mankind, generous love, Christian love.” I love the big warm arms of this meaning, we often get our words completely lost from their original meaning and I have found it is well worth working on not assuming things but being open to seeing things from different angles. ‘Charity is good’ or ‘Charity supports people’ for example are not always true just because they have the words charity, support and good in them. What is actually going on that is where we need to observing.
Wow. What a business model, packaging ‘doing good’ and selling it as a token of being good. Where’s love in that?
Exactly, watch out for the good, it is not Love. Good can be suffocating, demeaning and sabotaging, it disempowers and stagnants peoples enthusiasm to take responsibility and activate their potential.
Awesome blog about charity, Eunice! Thank you for the expose – a wonderful way that you have broken apart and deconfigured what charity has been bastardised to be! I always felt these sticky tendrils come at me from these charity calls and people can often be pushy trying to get money for their cause. Does not feel good. Thank you for helping me get clarity on this and understand the energetics behind this!
“But it has not just been the giving, but the quality that comes with that giving…” – For sure, the quality in the way Serge Benhayon is with everyone, regardless of whether it is paid or not is absolute – as in no compromise or conditions are put on the quality that he brings and holds people in, something incredibly inspiring to see especially with the consistency with which he lives it.
Reading the true meaning of the word “charity” it is clear that charity in our current world has slipped far away from its origins. Supporting our fellow man necessitates an honour that has no sympathy, but sees them as equal, rather than less than.
I agree Brendan, blogs like this are very powerful in exposing the corruption and evil that exists within many charities.