To Whom It May Concern:
I find myself wondering how a “humanitarian” organization can be so obscure about its true motivation. The duality I have found in Numana’s organization has left me in a quandary. Are they solely a humanitarian organization concerned only with feeding the hungry and impoverished, or are they a religious organization intent on feeding not only the hungry bellies, but sharing the gospel as well?
Please understand, I am not belittling the work of the organization either way; I am merely confused why they would veil their true intent behind a worldly façade. Every aspect of their website and Rick McNary’s blog seem to skirt around the issue of religion. Their website contains an article concerning how their name, Numana, was chosen. The description of how this name came about cleverly, I believe is the word of choice on their website, turns the Bible into “ancient stories in literature from various cultures of people who were hungry being provided ‘manna’ in unusual and timely ways.” I cannot help but wonder why they would not want to simply say what they mean: they based their name on a Bible story. Perhaps they have reason to be subtle.
On the other side of their veil an entirely different facet is revealed. The church leaders who founded Numana speak of the wonderful work the organization is doing for the Lord. The whole thing is miraculous, and a glory to God. The loaves and fishes were miraculous. This whole thing simply is fishy. They ask for prayer and engage churches as their primary connection to the communities. Again, I am not saying they are not doing good deeds, or that there is no need for the food they are gathering for the Salvation Army. I just wish they would stand up for their true beliefs and reveal their true motivation. I do not understand how you can glorify God with a masked endeavor.
Unless I am completely wrong about Numana, I do not see how the high school can justify obligating the staff and students to dedicate a school day, not to mention school resources (ie gasoline and school buses) to a religious entity. Yes, the food packaging is a great humanitarian effort. Yes, there is a law to separate church and state. Yes, this creates a conflict of interest. In a society where the pledge of allegiance is no longer said in schools because of the phrase “under God,” it blows my mind that they would make “every USD 490 student and staff member” contribute to a religious organization-on a school day no less.
