Operation Christmas Child 1st-18th November

katskorner

For boys boxes Sainsbury's have all their toys at half price at the moment and the die-cast toy cars are only 29p - so great for boxes!

Homebaked

I would have to agree with Ianna, SarahG and Louise - Samaritan's Purse is a controversial, discredited organisation. An Operation Christmas Child representative explains in a promotional video: "It's not just a big gift. It's not just humanitarian aid. It is a tool for evangelism so thank you for helping us evangelize our people." The organisation isn't concerned with making children happy – it's their souls they're after.
There are many reputable organisations which help children around the world - why not avoid supporting one which is implicated in preaching hatred against people of other faiths? I found this article by Rev Dr Giles Fraser to be a good summary of the issues:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/10/religion.society

shadej

Homebaked wrote: »

I would have to agree with Ianna, SarahG and Louise - Samartan's Purse is a controversial, discredited organisation. An Operation Christmas Child representative explains in a promotional video: "It's not just a big gift. It's not just humanitarian aid. It is a tool for evangelism so thank you for helping us evangelize our people." The organisation isn't concerned with making children happy – it's their souls they're after.
There are many reputable organisations which help children around the world - why not avoid supporting one which is implicated in preaching hatred against people of other faiths? I found this article by Rev Dr Giles Fraser to be a good summary of the issues:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/10/religion.society

I can very much see your point but if we all think like this wont the children who live in the areas Samaritan's purse cover be left out?
It is called Operation Christmas Child and Christmas is a christian event and celebration so I see no reason wrong with them including a leaflet what tells the child/family what Christmas is all about. I don't think buy them including a leaflet they
are "preaching hatred against people of other faiths".
Maybe I am missing the point but I never did understand why people celebrate Christmas if they don't believe in Christ? Christmas is not about gifts or dinner or family gathering, its the birthday of Christ. Presents, dinner and seeing long lost family are bonuses. On Eid the school asked us to send it gifts and food for people in poor country's. We did and it would not have bothered me in the slightest if they included Muslim leaflets as Eid is a Muslim event. If you choose to celebrate Christmas then you must remember the meaning of the day, which is all I believe Samaritan's Purse are doing.

emweaver

Shade I agree completely! Clearly its christian countries they are going to otherwise they wouldnt be celebrating christmas and I personally think its a good thing educating what christmas is about. Im not religious but want my DD to know the meaning of christmas and not just the commercial side of it. As long as the children are getting a gift and are happy thats all that matters.

Homebaked

Emweaver, I think you're right - if the leaflets were simply educational about the origins of the real Christmas, or just went to Christian countries, there wouldn't be such a controversy at all. Unfortunately this is a particular brand of American evangelism at work, and Samaritan's Purse target Catholics, Hindus, Muslims or anyone who isn't a born-again Christian for conversion, not education. A couple of British vicars have spoken out against them.
Organisations such as the fire service in South Wales and the Co-op, which had previously allowed their premises to be used as collection points for shoeboxes, have withdrawn their support from the project. The Co-op spokesperson said “had we been aware of his [Franklin Graham] views in advance, we would not have participated in Operation Christmas Child...”
Franklin Graham, head of Samaritan's Purse has accused Hindus of being "locked in the darkness of Hinduism" and "bound by Satan's power", and called Islam "a very wicked and evil religion" - that's where the 'preaching hatred' comes in. It's a real shame that poverty-stricken children and generous-hearted people (like many Moneysavers!) are used so cynically by this organisation.

emweaver

reading that link why aren't I surprised?why are muslims offended? are we offended by their religion? do we stop them practicising their religion ?

It mentions muslims in schools are offended by this, yet many attend C of E schools, christian schools!? they dont take part in assemblies etc or the shoe box appeal so no harm done. most CHRISTIAN schools no longer have christmas plays as to not offend those who dont celebrate it, yet these children can just opt out as they do with assemblies etc?

Our local town is switching on their xmas lights in a few wks but theres been a big stink that by calling them xmas lights its offending the other religions (u guess which) so we have to call it the festival of lights. At what point do we stand up for our religion and tradition? Or do we let xmas die out completely?

that article has just riled me!

emweaver

called Islam "a very wicked and evil religion" I didnt know they preached this as ive never heard this before. this i dont agree with

rag31

EM

We have had stories each year about different religions being offended by lights/trees/whatever at Christmas. Without fail, representatives of each religion has said they are not offended at all and put up lights etc themselves and in fact it has been some bureaucrat who thinks members of said religion will be offended but actually don't know!

But then of course, everyone thinks it is muslims or hindus or whoever and it never was to start with!

Beck

Homebaked

I don't think that the Rev Dr Giles Fraser, vicar of Putney who wrote that article is an offended Muslim I doubt that the the Rev Vernon Marshall, Unitarian minister in Dukinfield and New Chapel, in Denton is one either! :O (p.s neither is Obama!)

emweaver

Ive just finished my shoebox ready to take it in tomorrow, dd helped and got a bit excited lol.

Someone posted a link earlier for shoeboxes for our soldiers but I cant find it, does anyone know where you can send / take these and the deadline?