From the Latin carĭtas , charity is a theological virtue of the Christian religion that consists in loving God above all and one’s neighbor as oneself. It is, therefore, a love without second interests.
For Christianity, charity is one of the three theological virtues, as are faith and hope. The Christian loves God for himself and his neighbor for the love of God. Charity implies that the end of all actions is love.
In this sense, the concept of charity is also used to evoke the help given to the most needy and disadvantaged. Examples: “Bill Gates donated a large part of his fortune to charities”, “My grandmother, since she retired, has been dedicated to charity”, “In this locality, many families live on charity”.
The term “charity” can be used as a synonym for philanthropy, whose etymology refers to the “love of humanity”. Because of the love he feels for mankind, the philanthropist helps others without asking for anything in return and without being interested in the other’s response. Charity (or philanthropy) can be developed individually, through an informal group or an organization.
Charity can also be understood as alms given to the poor or, in general, as an attitude of solidarity with the suffering of others: “Thanks to your charity, this evening, my children will be able to have food on the table ”, “At school, we are always told to practice charity towards others and to show solidarity”.
Christian religions are known for carrying out many works of charity in the places where they are established and around the world. Charitable works are done, for example, in places that have been flooded and devastated by heavy rains.
It is said that those who practice charity have a moral high and that this person is characterized as a kind human being. Charity, in this sense of helping people, is also known as “humanitarian aid”.
This foundation is based on the principle of “loving your neighbor as yourself”, as described in the bible.
In some cases, charity is still understood to be synonymous with “love”, thus, the term “fraternal charity” is used as another translation for “brotherly love”.
Fraternal charity expresses a strong feeling of affection from one person to another, to the point where that person is dedicated and has a high interest in the other. They are always positive and constructive feelings, a characteristic of this type of charity is that the person can even make sacrifices for someone else, a sacrifice that he would not make for anyone other than himself.
However, some Christians argue that love is not the same thing as charity, because before charity even existed, love already existed. Therefore , there is this controversy in this environment.
Caridade can also refer to a person’s surname, whether male or female, for example: “Maria Caridade” or “Marcelo Caridade”, or even to the name of a female person: “he told me her name is Charity”.
List of Acronyms Related to Charity
AFC |
Adventures for Charity |
ASCO |
Afghanistan Shuhada Charity Organization |
AICL |
Amnesty International Charity Limited |
ACIE |
Association of Charity Independent Examiners |
BCF |
Bolivian Charity Foundation |
BSCH |
Bon Secours Charity Health |
BSC |
Brothers and Sisters of Charity |
BSCD |
Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Domestic |
FC |
Brothers of Charity |
CASC |
Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity |
CHCF |
Cambodian Healthcare Charity Foundation |
FDCC |
Canossian Daughters of Charity (religious order) |
CCV |
Carmelite Sisters of Charity of Vedruna |
CHWDCHS |
Catholic Healthcare West, Daughters of Charity Health System |
CCE |
Charity Choice Events |
CFS |
Charity Fashion Show |
CAWD |
Charity for African Welfare and Development |
CHAMPION |
Charity Hospital |
CH |
Charity Hospital |
CITRA |
Charity IT Resource Alliance |
CKH |
Charity Know How |
CLPI |
Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest |
COS |
Charity Organization Society |
CTX |
Charity Technology Exchange |
CTT |
Charity Technology Trust |
CTN |
Charity Trustees Network |
CBC |
Child Bereavement Charity |
CCF |
China Charity Federation |
CFC |
Computers for Charity |
CSC |
Congregation of the Sisters of Charity |
DISCOUNT |
Daughters of Charity |
DC |
Daughters of Charity |
DCFSL |
Daughters of Charity Foundation of St Louis |
DISCOUNT |
Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul |
DC |
Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul |
DCPB |
Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood |
DTCC |
Denise Terrill Charity Foundation |
DCHA |
Diploma in Charity Accounting |
ESC |
Entertainment Software Charity |
FHAC |
Faith Hope and Charity |
FHC |
Faith, Hope and Charity |
FCL |
Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty |
GOSHCC |
Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens Charity |
GVCC |
Greater Vancouver Charity Classic |
GOHC |
Guardians of High Charity |
HC |
High Charity |
HCCBA |
Hill Country Charity Ball Association |
ITEC |
Income Tax Exempt Charity |
ICELAND |
Institute of Charity |
IC |
Institute of Charity |
IFCD |
International Fund of Charity Development |
ICPA |
Islamic Charity Projects Association |
JCC |
Janus Charity Challenge |
JCF |
Jewelers Charity Fund for Children |
KRCHF |
Kherson Regional Charity and Health Foundation |
LCVS |
Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Service |
MSCH |
Memorial Sisters of Charity Hospital |
MC |
Missionaries of Charity |
NAAG-NASCO |
National Association of Attorneys General/National Association of State Charity Officials |
NASCO |
National Association of State Charity Officials |
NCL |
National Charity League |
NWCR |
North Wales Charity Ramblers |
OSCRS |
Office of the Scottish Charity Register |
OSCR |
Office of the Scottish Charity Register |
OSCRS |
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator |
OSCR |
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator |
OLC |
Our Lady of Charity |
PCSO |
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office |
RSC |
Religious Sisters of Charity |
RPLC |
Richmond Parish Lands Charity |
RMCC |
Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charity |
SC |
Servants of Charity, Guanellians |
SVCB |
Silicon Valley Charity Ball |
SC |
Sisters of Charity |
SCHCS |
Sisters of Charity Health Care Systems |
SCL |
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth |
SCLA |
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Associates |
SCN |
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth |
SCMC |
Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church |
SCQ |
Sisters of Charity of Quebec |
BVM |
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
SCIC |
Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception |
CCSP |
Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word |
SCHOLAR |
Sisters of Charity, Halifax |
SCHOOL |
Sisters of Charity, Halifax |
SCH |
Sisters of Charity, Halifax |
SCC |
Sisters of Christian Charity |
SVCH |
St. Vincent Charity Hospital |
TCT |
Thirumalai Charity Trust |
UNICO |
Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity |
V-DAC |
Vehicle Donation to Any Charity |
VSG |
Vincentian Sisters of Charity |
WC |
Water Charity |
WFAC |
Working for a Charity |
WIFC |
World Innovation Foundation Charity |
YCJ |
Youth Charity Jam |