On The Concept Of 'Blood-Money'.

I am often fascinated by the concept of blood money. That money itself remains forever tainted with its original crime. Even when it's used for good. Like with Judas and 13 pieces of silver in the Bible (Matthew 26:15). Sometimes you take part in a crime when you take that money. That would make you an accessory. And sometimes taking the money itself is unethical. Like when you steal it or even take it legally from someone in need. But the money itself is never tainted with blood.

Mother Teresa is a prime example of what I am talking about when I use the term "blood money", that ill-gotten money is somehow itself evil. Mother Teresa (1910-1997) of Calcutta, ministered to and aided the poor in India starting in 1950. And she was often criticized for taking money from fascist dictators and opposing abortion. The United States has supported fascist dictators in the past. Like the infamous Augusto Pinochet who ruled the South American country of Chile from 1973 to 1990.

Some would argue both were done for expediency and practical reasons. Mother Teresa did it to help the poor. And the US to save that country from communism. But Pinochet was responsible for the internment of as many as 80,000 people and the torture of tens of thousands. Mother Teresa merely took money from these unethical people. And perhaps didn't denounce what they were doing back home enough. Some would say the second was bad, but that's more an unethical omission. But the US thru its action or inaction destroyed the lives of countless Chileans. Chile transitioned to democracy in 1990, partly thru US support. But the original harm has been done. And the fact the US started supporting democratic regimes in Chile and elsewhere after the cold war changes nothing.

Mother Teresa by contrast dedicated her life to the poor. She lived among them in humble accommodations in India herself. Mother Teresa never had a lot of funds, and Mother Teresa never intended to build hospitals anyways, but rather to provide a place where those who had been refused admittance could at least die while being comforted and in dignity. She opposed abortion, only because she was a devout Catholic nun. Abortion in India, as the rest of the world, is a personal choice anyways. She also had to support the Church's stance on contraception, which some think has contributed to world overpopulation. But Pope Francis has softened that stance in recent years.

The inward feelings and tendencies towards hypocrisy people sometimes have don't in themselves do harm, anymore than those 13 pieces of silver were somehow themselves "tainted". But on the subject of Mother Teresa's critics and hypocrisy, Navin B. Chawla wrote in 2013:

"Those who are quick to criticize Mother Teresa and her mission, are unable or unwilling to do anything to help with their own hands."

IOW, could you do what she did? Live among the poorest of the poor and at least try to help them? You may not always agree with a religion, or other system of belief. But don't criticize the good they do unless you're willing to take up that burden yourself.