Charity Shoeboxes

[Amber]

As far as I am aware, evangelism/missionary work/'spreading the word' has always been a part of Christianity. As a non-Christian I find this no harder to understand than the idea of the Virgin Birth of the Son of God leading to an entire nation indulging in excessive consumption of food, drink and material goods for the best part of a week. I would be very surprised if the receipt of a shoe box of cheap English toys converted many African children to Christianity, any more than getting an entire houseful of stuff converts many English ones.

[hermanmunster]

As someone up thread said, these things are done in the name of Christ-mas, and perhaps the issue is not so much that attaching a religious message is inappropriate, but that our idea of what Christmas ought to be is the thing which needs to be questioned. People seem to be having trouble with the very idea that religion and Christmas might get lumped together, rather than asking why they are uncomfortable with it. It is now such a materialistic greedfest for many in this country that getting sanctimonious about a bit of religion seems a bit distasteful to me.

Plenty of people are happy to buy into a little religious hypocrisy at Christmas, making the annual token appearance in church because they like singing carols (what a church organist friend of mine calls 'cash customers' as opposed to 'account holders' ) or sending cards with a stable and a manger on - why is this inherently acceptable, almost virtuous, and a charity acting in accordance with its evangelical beliefs isn't?

There are many ways to give to charity as others have said, at Christmas and at other times, but surely a Christian charity acting in the name of Christmas deserves a bit of a break here?

And I say this as an atheist, so no axe to grind.

Agreed totally Amber but mine is sort of "ex Anglican platinum card account holder who thinks established church has lost the plot" .

[PROBSNAIVE]

This is a mission statement from the website – “Gift-filled shoeboxes are a powerful way to introduce children to God’s greatest gift, salvation through Jesus Christ. “The key aim of this operation is to convert people”, President, Franklin Graham states “I turned my attention again to the primary goal of Samaritan’s Purse – sharing the gospel. Some people are a bit surprised to learn that this is our main focus, but it’s true. We are not just a Christian relief organization”.

I have taken this info from another page. Whether or not the children are converted or not isn't the point but the organisations aims and intentions should be made clear by the schools who support this. Parents can then make an informed choice as to whether they want to participate or not.

[talea51]

This is a mission statement from the website – “Gift-filled shoeboxes are a powerful way to introduce children to God’s greatest gift, salvation through Jesus Christ. “The key aim of this operation is to convert people”, President, Franklin Graham states “I turned my attention again to the primary goal of Samaritan’s Purse – sharing the gospel. Some people are a bit surprised to learn that this is our main focus, but it’s true. We are not just a Christian relief organization”.

I have taken this info from another page. Whether or not the children are converted or not isn't the point but the organisations aims and intentions should be made clear by the schools who support this. Parents can then make an informed choice as to whether they want to participate or not.

As Amber said, the entire philosopy behind Christianity is to convert as many people as possible to Christianity. It's not like the Samaritan's purse hide this information away. It's freely available on their website and on the pamphlets requesting donations to Operation Christmas Child.

In my opinion, there are far worse things happening in our world than a christian organisation evangelising whilst distributing presents to children.

[southbucks3]

Out of interest, I wonder if it is the C of E and Catholic schools that are asking people to partake?

I agree with tales51 and Amber, it is not like they are withholding vital medical supplies unless the natives convert to Christianity forthwith. They are literally handing out Christmas presents to children in the probably vain hope of spreading the Christian belief.

Presumably the schools inform the parents of the organisation and provide a website link. Parents who don't agree with missionary work etc. Can opt into any of the other schemes available.

Interesting though, how no body has mentioned the spread of commercialism being harmful. Do haribo sweets and plastic toys sit well in some of these environments?

The nice thing about Christmas imo is that is does encourage charity, sharing and socialising, if all that is under the umbrella of Christianity it cannot be too bad an ethos to live by.

Another unbeliever here.

[Amber]

Agreed totally Amber but mine is sort of "ex Anglican platinum card account holder who thinks established church has lost the plot" .

I was going to say something about a 3 for the price of one reward card...

Interesting though, how no body has mentioned the spread of commercialism being harmful. Do haribo sweets and plastic toys sit well in some of these environments?

Agree with your post, SB, though I am not sure one shoebox of rubbish is going to be pernicious enough to corrupt foreign children any more than convert them to Christianity. I think asking the same question of home territory might be more apposite...

[southbucks3]

Ahh but one taste of a tangtastic and they will want for no other foods!

I don't believe it will harm the kids or the social structure either to receive a bit of tat, just siting the comparable really..whichever way you look at it by delivering the boxes we are foisting alien ideas on others, either religious or commercial.

Amber you always make me feel so thick, you use your vast vocabulary so eloquently...I am more than a bit jealous!

[Guest55]

The guidelines we were given are not to put food or sweets in, nor 'tat'.

Crayons, notebooks, toiletries (not liquids) and new items; and a whole list of forbidden things.

I think it is a lovely idea to bring pleasure to a child in a country where such basics are 'luxuries'. We are happy to support such ventures as we are with any appeal for those worse off than ourselves.

Surely some of the commercialisation of Christmas is far more offensive? I just wonder if this thread would have been allowed if people were criticising other faiths trying to help those less fortunate.

[PROBSNAIVE]

I disagree that the information regarding what these boxes are used for is made clear. The organisation themselves have acknowledged that their literature has not made it clear enough in the past and have only recently updated their leaflets.
This isn't about being Anti-Christian. I have already said that I have contributed to these appeals in the past. This is about being misled into believing that my gift was for the sole purpose of bringing a bit of joy to a disadvantaged child, when in fact it isn't. I am also upset that I have contributed to an organisation who's founder has branded my own religion as 'evil'.

[southbucks3]

The guidelines we were given are not to put food or sweets in, nor 'tat'.

Crayons, notebooks, toiletries (not liquids) and new items; and a whole list of forbidden things.

I think it is a lovely idea to bring pleasure to a child in a country where such basics are 'luxuries'. We are happy to support such ventures as we are with any appeal for those worse off than ourselves.

Surely some of the commercialisation of Christmas is far more offensive? I just wonder if this thread would have been allowed if people were criticising other faiths trying to help those less fortunate.

I completely agree, the "tat" I was referring to was the toy cars, and chewy sweets mentioned up thread, but I think even those are great gifts really, like I said to worry about the religious conviction of the sender seems to me on a par with worrying about the " social correctness" of the gifts. At the end of the day I am sure the boxes make people happy.

Can we not just embrace the concept of sharing and charity, without worrying about whether it is done in the name of Christianity or any other religion, as long as it is being done?

Probsnaive, were the boxes organised through your school, and is your school Christian? I am sorry you were misled, perhaps though it was the organisation that arranged to collect the boxes, rather than the Samaritans purse, who misled you. I hope you feel able to continue your generosity through other schemes.