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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

692 replies

autumnwinds · 02/11/2013 12:57

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...

OP posts:
Bubbles1066 · 02/11/2013 17:49

I have to say, I read the blurb on the leaflet about them adding the Christian blurb and I was a bit WTF. People have their own religion, it's all a bit too much like their trying to convert rather than help in my opinion. I don't think I'll do a shoe box this year because of it. I'm not sure about your letter though OP, it does say about the literature on the leaflet although I appreciate not everyone reads in the leaflet.

SuburbanRhonda · 02/11/2013 17:53

I wish I could challenge OCC to prove they are only interested in offering an "unconditional gift of love", as they call it, by not sending the religious leaflets and not offering bible classes to children.

I bet they wouldn't be so keen on that.

Housesellerihope · 02/11/2013 17:58

Their organisation gives loads of money to homophobic political campaigns in the US that try to block equal marriage. Among other very dodgy activities . This is not simply a few leaflets in the boxes. Please read the thread those of you who are just jumping in - your knee-jerk uninformed reactions are what this nasty organisation is counting on.

Here is a template letter i found that can be sent to schools
againstocc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/template-letter-to-school.html

gordyslovesheep · 02/11/2013 17:59

I wish there was an "exasperated" emoticon oh yes yes yes!

Floggingmolly · 02/11/2013 18:00

Write your own bloody letter if you feel so strongly about it. Hmm
We're doing Mary's Meals and shoeboxes. I was going to say just opt out if it burns your hide so much; but you don't even have a child at the school??? Mind your own business.

Wellthen · 02/11/2013 18:01

It isnt just evangelising at all. That I wouldnt have a problem with. I would still chose not to give as I think my money/time/donations can be much better given than in the form of Christmas presents.

But what makes me agree with the OP and think she should act to make sure people are informed, is the stories about boxes given to local churches to give out whenever and to whoever, not needy families or children, stories about boxes only being given on the condition that children attend church and say things like 'Jesus is my saviour' which to a Muslim child is hugely offensive and blasphemous.

OP Mary's meals is Christian but they are much more open about their practices and give to children who really need it. They also work for children to attend school which is frankly far more worthy than a shoe box of presents in the middle of December. A time of year fairly meaningless to Muslim children unless Eid happens to fall then.

SuburbanRhonda · 02/11/2013 18:01

That's really handy, houseseller Thanks

SuburbanRhonda · 02/11/2013 18:04

Floggin, have you read any of this thread, or even the OP, or just the thread title?

The school wrote an article for the village magazine, inviting local residents to donate to OCC. The school was targeting everyone in the village to get them on board.

How much clearer does that have to be?

C'mon, Mumsnet HQ - this thread is crying out for an exasperated emoticon!

Housesellerihope · 02/11/2013 18:04

Thank you Suburban ... and think you have been a real voice of reason in these threads so Thanks for you, too!

MrsWedgeAntilles · 02/11/2013 18:04

This is why I love Mary's Meals. It was founded on Christian principles by a committed Christian but they just give to whoever needs with the only caveat being you have to go to school. Also, its run by a very nice man out of his dad's shed.

OP, you sound very balanced and making sure the school knows about the values and methods of the charity they are going to support can only be a good thing.

Wellthen · 02/11/2013 18:05

The American Samaritan's purse is separate to the British I believe so I dont think you should reference an American issue.

SuburbanRhonda · 02/11/2013 18:07

Which US issue do you mean, wellthen? If it's the fact that in the US, the leaflets go in the boxes before they're shipped out, you're right, but according to one of the links upthread, OCC in the US wants the UK operation to come into line with this practice.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/11/2013 18:07

They are not separate they are the same charity with a UK and a US arm. The shoebox es are handed out in exactly the same way, it is just how the charity is advertised in the different countries that is different.

Housesellerihope · 02/11/2013 18:07

In what way do you believe they are separate, Wellthen? They are the same organisation.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/11/2013 18:08

The leaflets don't go in the UK boxes as there was objections, instead they go on top of the boxes

SuburbanRhonda · 02/11/2013 18:08

Gosh, houseseller, that's very kind!

hermioneweasley · 02/11/2013 18:09

Wow, the thread HouseSeller posted to with the OCC PR guy was ultra creepy. Comes across as a cult leader. shudders

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/11/2013 18:11

I think my favourite bit of that thread was where the OCC guy said he had lots of gay friends but they were all unhappy to be gay.

SuburbanRhonda · 02/11/2013 18:13

Every post of Brian's on that thread was comedy gold, except for the fact that he wasn't joking Sad

exexpat · 02/11/2013 18:14

wellthen - if you mean the references to Franklin Graham and his homophobic, anti-Islamic views, I am afraid he is very much involved in the UK arm of the charity as well: Franklin Graham launches Operation Christmas Child in London.

thebody · 02/11/2013 18:15

well you may he right op and as an atheist I really couldn't give a crap but me and my kids will do a box.

it's good for my kids to understand and give and it's fantastic for a child to receive a box of gifts. for me that's all that matters.

in an aside why wouldn't a Christian/Muslim/ Jewish charity push their beliefs. isn't that what they are supposed to do?

people can choose to believe or not.

DifferenceEngine · 02/11/2013 18:16

Wow you have opened my eyes.

Pre schoolers in the difference household, so haven't had any contact with OCC, but if asked I shall be sending my money to these guys instead

www.toilettwinning.org/

Not very festive, but sanitation is so, so vital.

DifferenceEngine · 02/11/2013 18:16

Grrr

[http://www.toilettwinning.org/]

DifferenceEngine · 02/11/2013 18:17

www.toilettwinning.org/

Ffs