there are ___ sides to every story

If you have spent any time on any social networking site in the past few weeks, then you have seen links to videos, posters, "memes", and various other references to Invisible Children's Kony 2012 campaign.

In recent years there as been a notable, growing trend among young people, or at least young Evangelicals, to care about social justice and humanitarian aid.  Suddenly, it is "cool" to go to Africa and play soccer with the less fortunate.

I should tell you that I am a recovering cynic.  The "cynic" part is probably clear to you; the "recovering" part may not be as clear after reading the last paragraph.  However, the cynic in me has a natural tendency to run HARD in the opposite direction of trends, especially ones made popular by young, Evangelicals.  In my experience, there is a genuine heart behind them, however the mass following produces a lack of authenticity.

But who am I to say that when good things become "cool" they are no longer good.  I should have warned you, I intend to play jump-rope with this issue.  It is a good thing that people are working to raise awareness of the situation with Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, and his forced recruitment of child soldiers and massacre of innocent people.

However, since the folks of Invisible Children have put out a thirty minute film chronicling their work so far, and intention to get Kony arrested for his war crimes by the end of this year, many have spoken up in response.

Here is the video.  It is thirty minutes.  I would have trimmed it down a bit, but I'm no editor or film maker.  Good information.  Good intentions.  Although, it seems like when I first heard about IC back in high school it was under the umbrella of Christian organizations. 

Here are several articles criticizing, and in some cases questioning the work of Invisible Children.  Some are quite scathing in their review of the not-for-profit group.  Others, simply want to know more.

Here, Invisible Children, Inc. defends themselves and their missions.

Everyone is so convincing on this issue.  Why does it even have to be an issue.  The one thing we can all agree on is the fact that brainwashing young boys and forcing them to become soldiers, kidnapping young girls to be kept as sex slaves, the murder of countless humans, and the general disregard for human life is simply evil.

Charity Navigator is a website designed to aid in one's investigations in the charities they are donating to.  It is helpful and informative, ranking charities on their efficiency of giving.  But there is still the lingering thought. 

If I give money to X charity group for the purpose of bringing war criminals to justice, feeding hungry children, ending human trafficking, or one of many other atrocities that occur in our world (and in our own backyard--but that is another issue entirely), how much of my donation actually goes to helping people.

Feel free to weigh in on this, as I am clearly torn and obviously still have a long recovery road ahead--replacing my cynical questioning of others motives with a love for people and hatred of sin.