There’s been a great deal of hubbub over this video during the last two days, and rightly so.  If you’ve got a free half an hour, then feel free to watch it and be moved by it.  But  please, please… wait before you act, study the organization you’re giving to, and use discretion.

Having watched the video and done a little bit of reading myself, there are a few things I believe are worth pointing out. I’m certainly opposed to Joseph Kony and people like him. He is an evil man who should be captured, judged and punished for his crimes. No doubt about it. However, there have been many rumors about the legitimacy and decisions of the charity which is spreading the message about Kony.  If you don’t believe me, look here, here, and here for starters.  Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and even if these rumors aren’t completely true, it would appear there’s enough shady business to go around.

So here’s my challenge to you: do your homework and don’t let yourself merely be influenced by the video.  I say this because it is powerful video and rightly tugs on your heartstrings – these kids are abused and it should hurt us that such evil exists in the world. We should be influenced and motivated to do something when we learn of these things. But if we choose to help, we need to be sure we’re really helping, and we’re sending money to the right organizations.

My main question regarding this charity is specifically this – would these filmmakers and those involved with the Invisible Children put forth the exact same effort and drive and passion for the unborn children in America? They care so much for the lives of those in Africa, and that’s great, but what about the lives of those who are murdered every day here in the U.S. – thousands more than those in Africa? Would they fight as valiantly for them?

If not, then they don’t deserve your money. If they would, then why aren’t they?