One never knows what will arrive via email. Every time I look in my inbox I find find a few letters from friends and comrades, or a reply to something I said in a mailing list; usually about politics, religion, or being insane. Most of my email, however, is from an anonymous source who knows only one thing about me, that I have an email address. This spam makes up about 90% of what I get. It doesn't really bother me that much. Some people get really bent out of shape over it, but I just erase it and wonder why my "spam filter" doesn't catch more of it. That's not much of a help, anyway, as I check that almost as carefully for something important that may have been sent by someone I actually care about.
And I'm concerned about that Nigerian banker. I hope things work out for that poor bastard.
Today I got some spam that really got my attention, and for once it wasn't pornography. Neh, it was a letter from Christian Debt Trust, a debt consolidation company. With all the subtlety of a bowling ball to the groin, they draw wisdom from the Bible as a way to get your business. For example, when you go to the site you are greeted with a quote from Proverbs: "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender... Proverbs 22:7." And that's only the beginning. The organization claims that it can put you back on the "chosen path" regarding your debt. It later says, "Money is the root of all evil." Fair enough, although I would argue that the lack of money is the root of all evil.
So what's my problem with good religious folk trying to help a brotha, or sista, out? As with most religious endeavors, this one is more about making money than helping anyone. The Consumer Federation of America put out a press release warning about debt management and consolidation companies, particularly those with "Christian" in their name. Some of these groups are reputable, but most of them are not. An article in Business Week Online states that the CEOs of these "non-profit" companies frequently make hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the CEOs of other non-profits. They go on to say that even the best companies in the industry are rarely able to do a better job at debt consolidation than people can themselves.
So, like any scam, they lie and make false promises...that's called, "advertising." And, in this case, they invoke the name of the Lord to get your business. People are so creative, it's really inspiring. Really. They also spend a lot of money buying lists of names of people who are in debt. That wouldn't be objectionable if they had moral scruples and were trying to help. But since they are out to make a buck by adding to your misery, that makes the practice all the more despicable. Sort of like buying a list of names of people who are in AARP as a way of targeting little old ladies for purse-snatching. Actually, that's not a bad idea.
I do admire Christian Debt Trust for having the cojones to do something so unapologetically crass and immoral in god's name. Churches do it all the time, but many of them actually believe their own bullshit (most likely). And the Bible is so abstract that you can pick and choose in what you believe; it's handy like that. These people happen to be focusing on the passages that will get your Christian ass off the couch and on the phone to them. Thou art a deadbeat. I never look for wisdom in the Bible, but sometimes I find the poetry of it interesting, like the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is in Beatitudes. That's also the part that makes it clear that Jesus was a Commie. A sandal-wearing, little left-wing Jewish intellectual; a "Red," not a "Red-stater." But I digress.
The whole tone of the website is so seemingly helpful and honest and good. And with the help of the Bible, they show you that not only do they think you should call them, but god insists that you do. They tell you to love god, and do what He would do and consolidate your credit card bills. Now, you heathen. I will close this little entry with the same passage found on the CDT website. Peace be with you, my children. Amen.
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." - Romans 13:8
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