to ask for your help in writing an objection to Operation Christmas Child?

[autumnwinds]

Our local primary is supporting OCC and has published a piece in the village magazine explaining how wonderful it is and how much the local children enjoy it, what a difference it makes to needy children, and inviting local residents to donate too. The piece omits any reference to the evangelical christian literature that is distributed with the parcels and the way that the gifts are used as a tool to agressively convert recipients to christianity.

I would like to write a reply for publishing in next month's issue trying to give the full picture so that people can make an informed choice about whether to donate to this charity, and to suggest some alternatives that don't come with the religious baggage.

As I don't have a child at the primary yet I'm not sure about tackling the school itself about it (they are not a faith school, so not sure they should be supporting this). DC will be starting next year so I might save that fight for next xmas!

Anyway does anyone have any ideas about a few lines I could write, something succinct and unemotional? I feel quite cross about it but don't want to come across as an equally fundamentalist atheist. I've been looking for some evidence on the web for people who want to know more but most of it is not well referenced...

I commented on the last thread something similar. I have distributed shoeboxes in Romania myself. The joy they provide to the families that receive them is immeasurable. Some families that received them were Christian, some Muslim, some of no faith. I find it so sad that people who, may possibly, have the means to provide a gift that genuinely provides some happiness would choose to refrain from doing so because of this stance. I am closely acquainted with people in impoverished circumstances and I feel a bit aggrieved on their behalf as the opinions expressed almost demean their ability to make their own informed choices on what they believe. People in poverty are no more susceptible to 'brain washing' or covert evangelism than you or I. They can choose to listen, digest, accept or discount whatever is put in front of them. Just as I can choose to look at a Jehovah's Witnesses magazine put through my door and decide it doesn't sway my belief. If it came with gifts for my children that I would not otherwise be able to provide I would be grateful and not offended by the reason behind why it had been given. I assure you that the receiving shoeboxes brings joy and moreover, a gratitude that someone far away could care enough to send it as often the communities in receipt are shunned and scorned in their own locality because of their race and poverty. So the notion of acceptance, especially from the Western world which they often perceive as knowledgeable, is a boost to their self esteem. Please consider not sabotaging OCC. Thankyou hugely Brian for the hard work you and all those involved in the shoe box appeal put in. I guarantee the effort is massively appreciated in the communities that get them.

do you have a problem with people being more fully informed about a charity they are choosing to donate time and money to? Surely if it is that great, it will easily survive people knowing about it and who heads it.

this just sounds like you are trying to keep the truth hidden and guilt trip people into supporting something they do not agree with or are uncomfortable.

When I read the OCC web site and Franklyn Graham's own words on it, it seemed to me that these shoeboxes were seen as a means to an end, an opportunity to do their proper work - bringing people to Jesus. They are a form of enticement, it's not about giving these kids a treat - it is all about trying to bring Jesus to their life.

OCC try and hide what people are donating to. And that says it all.

Starlightoz, I've identified a charity which distributes Christmas gift boxes to very poor people in Bulgaria, without any religious agenda at all. Can you really not see why many of us would prefer, if we wish to adopt this model of charitable giving (which does have significant disadvantages in terms of value for money/return on investment) to opt for that charity rather than OCC?

starlightoz, OCC shoeboxes are sent to children.

That is the reason why people object to the evangelising that accompanies the programme, not because we don't think vulnerable people can make their own minds up.

And don't forget that Brian Bennett, Head of Communications for Samaritans Purse, has stated on this forum that he does not believe the shoeboxes actually help children. That's your donation he's talking about.

Because of this thread I emailed DS school yesterday. Let's see what response I get.

And, starlightoz, if you think it's demeaning to assume impoverished people would find it hard to refuse a free gift, just think how offensive is your view that by sending shoeboxes the West is raising the self-esteem of vulnerable people

Are they a charity?

Apparently, grennie

But some of those boxes contain things like hats, gloves, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, as well as plastic tat that the children probably like.

You have a very valid point, I Don'tDo, but I presume the gift boxes are not given subject to immediate commitment to Christianity. In lives of struggle and dreariness, a few plastic pens and the occasional flannel and hat aren't going to make a difference longterm, but children are children all over the world, and might like a few bits of tat -and it might be tat to you, but it might be valued highly by a child who has nothing.

So while I agree wholeheartedly with you that they need water and food and safety, the two are not mutually exclusive are they?

If I don't forget, I will be sending one this year again.

Thanks. I am going to contact the charity commission. Charities are supposed to be open about what people are donating to.

I will be getting a box together this weekend. OP you will get no help from me to write your letter.

tuhlulah, on these threads, it is generally agreed that if people want to spend their money sending a shoebox, they should.

What a lot of us object to is OCC hiding their true agenda, which is to use the shoeboxes to evangelise vulnerable children. References to the shoeboxes being a way to bring the Gospel to children are all over their website.

You may think instant conversion to Christianity is not a caveat to receiving a shoebox, but the parents are asked at the same time as their child receives the shoe box, whether they want to sign up for the discipleship programme.

A casual search on OCC-critcal websites shows children with the leaflets already on their laps, as they await their turn to receive a shoebox.

And I think you're deluding yourself if you think most people will send a shoebox and send money for water and sanitation.

I would be happy to send a shoe box - not just by this charity. Will look at doing something similar but with a charity without this agenda and headed by someone that most folk int the uk would be uncomfortable with.

Just think how much more shoeboxes OCC could send if they dropped any mention of Jesus and no one would be offended. Ifnitnisnall about the children receiving a gift to brighten their lives - why don't they do this? Just give without any mention of religion?

emuloc, if you have read the information about OCC and how it sees the shoeboxes as a way to bring Christianity to vulnerable children, and if you've also accepted Brian Bennet's statement on this forum that the shoeboxes don't actually help the children, then knock yourself out.

I think the OP now has plenty of support for her letter to the school

You know the answer to that, don't you, bling.

It's not about the gift at all, is the answer.

Thanks SurbanRhonda I will.

Don't believe in God or consider myself Christian. Why would I then be trying to convert others to something I don't believe in by supplying the opportunity or tool even that this organisation has decided is very effective - why? Franklyn Graham would ban abortions, ban same sex marriage, would try and make gay people feel they are sinners if they practice their sexuality - why would I support an organisation and people who believe this and use the money from these organisations to lobby and campaign for things I am very much against - why?

Bluestocking - fair play to you, definitely a decent response to not wanting to support OCC, totally respect that.
SuburbanRhonda - I know that shoeboxes are given to children, have done it personally, however the children always grabbed the boxes and ran off to give them to their parents who shared everything out between their whole families, a box might be done for say, an 8 year old boy but in reality the hat and gloves contained would fit their 12 year old brother IYSWIM. You are right, I didn't express myself clearly, half watching DS1 at his swimming lesson, feeding DS4 and sleep deprived, knew I would come across wrong in type. I mainly wanted to say that I think, having worked with people in Romania for over a decade, that anything sent over is a fabulous thing and IME much appreciated. This was with a non-affiliated charity I might add, not a Christian one.
I just wonder if, rather than being vitriolic and trying to prevent OCC in their project, could those who don't like the Christian element of it find an alternative charity to send shoeboxes with ie... (from an appeal last year but just to show it only takes a facebook search) ((www.facebook.com/groups/355010764579811/?ref=br_tf))
and leave OCC to get on with it? I would have thought honestly that most people do actually now know that it is a Christian charity.

Rubbish at clickable links, apologies.

starlightoz, if they kept their beaks out of our children's schools, and were completely open about both their methodology and the beliefs of the people who run their organisation, I think most people would be happy to let them get on with it.

Yes, most people who know about OCC also know they are a Chrostian organisation, but as has been extensively discussed on this and other threads, it's not being Christian that's a problem at all.

OK - here's an idea...

Why don't all those who object to Operation CC set up their own "Winter Festival bit of Goodwill Gift Giving" in communities where a shoebox full of little treats might be the only gift that child receives that year?

Then we'll all be happy?

I can't be bothered reading 20 pages of this thread but surely a Christmas charity appeal is highly likely to be Christian.....given that Christ is the root word of both Christmas and Christian. Do you go round attacking the fundraising efforts of all charities you disapprove of?

Well if you can't be bothered reading the tread or some of it - you have no idea what people are actually saying and why they object to this particular charity. Sounds a bit blind and ignorant.

I had no idea OCC was run by a Christian charity until it came up on this thread.