Is donating to the sinners who advertise in the media sinful?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“In today’s world of social media w can donate to random strangers or animal shelter without having full details,For their sickness or other extreme problems.But at times I have noticed these individuals may be cow meat eaters or shelters may feed meat to their animals.What I want to ask is, Is it wrong to donate to online to needy people because they may be very sinful person. But sometimes they’re extremely sick and feel very bad about that.”
REPLY:
Yes, there are some percentage of fake ads in the unauthorised online media.
In online media, the verification process is remotedly done via online. So, some chances of cheating incidents are possible.
Every day, we come across many requests for monetary support
In the Standard Newspapers like Times of India, The Hindu, etc, Hindustan Times, etc., they have some rules to release the advertisements seeking for monetary help for surgeries. The customer/ client has to give a signed letter from the hospital in which the patient is admitted waiting for surgery because of the lack of money.
(Rules of Dhaan (Donating) to get the Reduction of Karma! READ HERE!)
In such cases, the money is usually sent to the hospital’s bank account directly, not the patient or client.
So, if the money is requested to be sent to the hospital account, you can send some small amount to them if you find the case genuine and if you feel for the patient’s state. Because, the hospital is responsible for the authenticity of the advt and it is answerable if any fraud happens using its name.
In some other cases, the newspapers release ads having a residential address. If that address is near your area, you can visit and confirm the genuinity and then help them.
Some years back, a vedic brahmana was standing outside my house calling me.
I enquired what he needs. He requested with tears for some money telling that he has arranged the marriage of his daughter and he can’t bear the costs as he is a poor brahmana.
I told him to give his address and I would visit his home the next day before 10 am.
As said to him, I visited his house that is just 10×10 store-house with common toilet and bathrooms.
(What is the right way of donating for charity and beggars? Can we gift old clothes? READ HERE!)
There was a girl in half saree. The atmosphere itself showed that the brahmana was poor.
That girl gave a simple marriage invitation.
I asked that brahmana how much is the shortage for the marriage.
He said that he had arranged everything as the marriage is performed in a temple in which he is working as a priest. But, for the food expenses he required Rs.10,000.
I immediately gave him a cheque (at that time, no UPI apps) for rs.10,000 and encouraged him to perform the marriage without the difficulty.
He, his wife & daughter were very happy and relieved. They invited me for the marriage scheduled next week.
I attended and gave some gifts also. While returning I asked that brahmana whether there was any shortage.
He said that only Rs.500 is pending for the Kirana store (Provisions store). I took him to that shop and paid that Rs.500 and cleared his dues.
Thus, if we ascertain the authenticity of a person, we can feel relieved.
(Is donating to Krishna and His service necessary since Krishna is Self Sufficient? READ HERE!)
I have the practice of suggesting remedies for my astro customers whose marriage face barriers, to help for the marriage of any poor girl.
Thus, it is easy to ascertain the genuinity of the help seekers from a nearby area.
First, you should support any suffering persons within your own family or relative circles.
You can help for well known friends who are suffering.
You can help for the neighbours.
If you have sufficient resources, you can support the temples, genuine devotional services, etc.
If any request in any reliable media attracts you, you can support them.
However, some profiles or pages in Social media may deceive you by giving false requests thru free advts by posting some pictures stolen from online sources. Anyone can give such advts. Many free advts in social media happen to be cheating ads.
You should not trust unverified sources.
Is donating to the sinners who advertise in media sinful?
Yes. According to the Lord’s words in Garuda Purana, encouraging a Sinful brahmana or any person is also sinful. Because, we encourage him to cheat others also.
So, support known or Genuine sources and devotional sources.
Hope you are clear whether donating to the sinners who advertise in media sinful.
(Is it compulsory to donate (Giving dhaan) on Ekadasi? READ HERE!)