to be annoyed with the constant criticism of Samaritan's Purse?

[morningpaper]

Now then, all this criticism of Samaritan's purse: Of COURSE it's proselytising, that what's ALL Christian Aid charities are about, by definition. It's that building the kingdom of God thing, isn't it?

Nonetheless, I have friends who drive lorries out to Romania in the name of 'Christian mission': they preach and they set up playgrounds or something or other. I have other friends that go out and dig wells / set up schools in South America and Peru (ermmm amy be same sort of area there, geography not my strong point). I have another friend who runs a Christian Orphanage in India.And I'm sure that in the 20 squillion of boxes that are delivered all over the world, there are some abuses of that remit.

But this constant criticism of Samaritan's Purse is getting a bit hysterical IMO. Why WOULD the bulk of the money for Samaritan's Purse go "the needy"? It's got to be spent shipping your bloody idiot boxes that are the only way they can get people to donate because it makes them feel better about themselves when they can TOUCH THE STUFF THEY ARE SENDING.

All this criticism is very depressing. If you've got a more positive alternative then perhaps suggest that, but until people are prepared to part with cash for people who really NEED it, then these sorts of schemes are going to be much needed.

it is the hidden nature of the organisation that makes it harder to accept I would prefer schools etc to work with local rotary clubs and their shoe box collections.

SP seems to have got it's foot in the door to the majority of schools, churches and nurseries in the UK

If they made it clear they were using the boxes as a tool for enrolling kids on bible study then people could choose to support them or not

TBH I'd like to see more criticism of SP/OCC in the UK press although there is plenty on MN

YABU. And YABVU for shouting at us.

I didn't know anything about there being doubts about where the money goes.
For me it just feels as though they are praying on vulnerable people.
Like EldonAve says, if they made it clear then people could chose. There are still a lot of people who have no idea the gifts are part of a missionary crusade.

They aren't hiding anything - they are a christian organisation. The clue is in their bloody NAME (although it DOES sound like a euphemism for fanjo). They don't put proslytising literature in their boxes, they just use the same channels of distribution. It's not quite the same thing.

It's handed over with the box.

Sorry but lol at praying on vulnerable people! Very good

Do you think that these people are thick forrin savages unable to figure out that the rich white boys handing out leaflets might be from a crusading organisation? Do you think that a school child in poverty is going to give a shit about a leaflet that comes with a box full of goodies? My DD doesn't think that the Book People are angels of the good news, despite being given regular leaflets.

I was going to propose that MN invite a representative from SP in the UK to come and do a web chat with us. It would be a fair way for them to explain how they work.

Interesting. Would this be a less Christian gesture without the proselytizing lit? What I mean is, aren't they two separate impulses which should be detached from one another?

Other Christian charities Do Good simply for the doing of the good, don't they?

MP, How are your lungs?

Is the lack of oxygen effecting your brain?

The concern is that they do not make it clear I think, what the intention is, it was certainly never clear to me with DSs school

"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 evangelise our people."
From their promotional video not shown in this country

I think MP, also, that much of the negative feeling towards SP comes from the fact that they gather from Us without telling us that they are Crusaders.

Also that a fairly big chunk of the parents in my school for eg would definitely not give if they knew, what with beign Muslim and all.

I don't think they are any different to, say, CAFOD or Christian Aid or Tear Fund

I would NEVER have contributed to something had I known that Franklin Graham was behind it.

Actually, I don't think I ever did, I don't think I was ever organised enough.

Phew

i woudl be more convinced by those attacking certain charities if they gave LARGE donations to other charities they "approve" of

Well SP haven't got religion in their name like the first 2 do. Don't know Tear Fund though. Could I have been eligible after DS Enormous Head?

Do CAFOD and CA proselytize btw - I thought it was an article of faith not to with them. I remember having biiig row with CA woman and having to back down

The clue is in the name. But I've heard several names; 'operation christmas child', 'shoebox appeal' a couple of schools here just say 'shoeboxes' for SP.

I spoke to our headteacher about SP the other day and gave her a link to The Guardian article and the recent SP newsletter that have both been cited on MN.

It was instantly plain to her that it wasn't an organisation that our school should support anymore, though they have done the shoeboxes for several years and are a CofE school. The difference between SP and (e.g.) christian Aid is fairly clear to me. They systematically and consciously use the boxes as a way to entice children to attend Bible classes.

KristinaM Why?

mp they do indeed arrange for people to send stuff. but if you have a look at their accounts you will see they mainly fund evangelical organisations, like billy graham fnd etc. they are also very keen to get their name into all schools and spread the word. i'll post a link in a sec..

I would NEVER have contributed to something had I known that Franklin Graham was behind it.

Well Pope Bendict is 'behind' CAFOD but that doesn't invalidate their humanitarian work

I avoid all religious affiliated charities as much as possible.

I do have a particular problem with Samaritan's Purse though because of the issues mentioned and because I cannot stand the president/CEO of the company,Franklin Graham,or his views.

Yeah - I wasn't saying that your bloke was any better

paisley, lots of people in this country won't know the story of the Good Samaritan or won't associate it partic with Christianity - it's a common English-language expression.

Aside from the very very dubious morality of harvesting children of other faiths in the countries the boxes go to, this surely has no place in state schools. For so many reasons. One of which is that not all the children in this country are Christian.