to be thinking about starting an anti-Operation Christmas Child campaign in April?

[ahundredtimes]

Am I mad? I'm now convinced that right wing american christian fundamentalists are taking the shoe boxes and distributing with christian literature. Have researched the web. I know it's April, but hey, Hilary Clinton has started her campaign already.

Another option is the UNICEF and OXFAM Christmas catalogues- equally as good for allowing kids to choose the helpa nd feel part of it imo.

FWIW I can't do the shoe boxes any more. It isn't just about how Christianity works- I ahve nothing against the notion that there's a leaftlet or whatever. It goes deeper than that. Conversion to Christianity away from islam in some states is seen as a severe crime, in the most strict its punishable by death although I doubt OCC get a look in there. The correct name for this is Apostasy, of course. Askinga child to attend a meeting that some Fundamental Muslims would consider immoral is putting that child at an unfair disadvantage- so much mroe so if they can recieve a box of gifts, or lose one, by dint of that attendance.

Its not necessarily the intentioon of OCC but it IS how Islam works at its extreme (which mosta re not obv, but those that are do not carry signs declaring it or have their kids daubed in red to warn off OCC)

If the right wing evangelical christians who distribute the boxes with their message about Jesus want to do good things, why don't they just quietly get on and do it without forcing the christian message on people? Billy Gragam's son has said some highly inflamatory things about Islam, race etc, and then goes and distributes boxes to try and persuade chilren to convert to christianity . The boxes seem like aninstrument to spread their message, rather than doing good for goodness sake.

So... are there any non-religeous Christmas shoe-box operations?

YOU ARE BEING TOTALLY UNREASONABLE

yabu As if the kids who get the boxes give a flying f* they will just be happy to get something. more likely they use it to light the fire with.

YANBU

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here. They don't throw away the leaflets with the wrapping, they are enrolled on a course of bible study. They are a racist poisonous operation who refuse to help people unless they convert. They are in violation of international law. You are very naive if you think that this is about giving children toiletries and toys.

Perhaps if you wish to buy gifts to sen don and dont want to use Uicef / Oxfam you might consider buying for a local childrens hospice, the women's refuge or toys for the waiting room at the local childrens A&E or day unit? There are plenty of worthy causes out there and not all are glamourous but they are needy.

oh I think I like the Trussel Trust

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gosh yes, heartbreaking stuff

Now I'm all confused and conflicted.

I love doing the Christmas shoe box. I am upset by the information on professor plum's link. I don't know what to think or what to believe. Is it really true?

Don't be too downhearted broccolispears, there are charities out there which, while Christian in nature, don't put any leaflets or literature in the boxes
Smile operate mainly in Kent and also have a good reputation round here, as with cods's in Wiltshire.
Maybe your answer is to look for a small-scale charity near where you live

We've just had a letter from preschool asking for shoeboxes for OCC.
I don't think we will be participating

We've done one this year with GB. Though, obviously I don't have any problem with evangelistic material, we've not done it before because we prefer charities with longer-term involvement.

The leaflets have gone out at my school and although I will not be participating because I hate all organised religion. Just wondering whether I should be bringing this material to the attention of the school.

I had no idea it was this contraversial...but also read Profs link, and omg.....that is just so bad I have done the shoe box thing, thinking I am doing good, but obviously there is more then meets the eye....

The leaflets have gone out at my school and although I will not be participating because I hate all organised religion. Just wondering whether I should be bringing this material to the attention of the school.

I'll certainly be bringing that link to the attention of my colleague, who organises OCC at the school where I teach.

If the information in the article is true, that's absolutely shameful.

Peachy do womens refuges take stuff? I thought they were only interested in brand new nowadays.
I know that most hospitals are inundated I thought a lot of the stuff just gets passed right out the back door again (eg can't use soft toys or anything that isn't new) really curious about this since I have lots of stuff I'd like to hand on.

YANBU I have shoe boxes here all ready to go as they always do it at littleys nursery and at the school. I asked at nursery when to bring it in and the teacher told me that they were no longer supporting the project, I googled when i came home and found the page that proffesorplum linked to.
I've explained to the kids that we arnt doing it this year and why, and will be seeing if the womens refuge round here want the stuff in the boxes (thought toothbrushes ect might be useful for people who've had to leave home in a hurry)and also looking at doing something else like sponsoring a child instead.

YABU

Whilst you are entitled to your descision not to support the appeal, starting a 'campaign' against it is a bit over the top IMO.

The website quoted by Proffessor Plum is

"a young software house specialising in the application of internet and multimedia technology for promoting a better understanding of Islam in the west".

Impartial then?