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.

We have just given our shoe box into dds school and didn't know about any of this. My dds are Muslim but go to a C of E school. I thought it was just about sending children in need something for Xmas. Does that make me really naive? I am usually really up on stuff like this but feel a bit stupid now.

wasn't there an expat MNer living in bosnia who received one of these boxes through her children's private school?! the response she got from SP was that it may have been a distribution error

saramoon,
You are not naive. It is the school's job to vet charities. But you should inform the school. Print out a copy of the Samaritan Purse Newsletter and ask the headteacher if they thought that this was consistent with the school's ethos. Most CofE people would be absolutely appalled by this.

Hi everyone! For me doing a shoebox with my kids has been hugely rewarding as it gave me an opportunity to explain how well off they are compared to kids in poor countries. Sure I could have just sent money but my kids wouldn't have had so much fun choosing presents for their 'child'! I heard some schools were cancelling shoeboxes this year. That's sad isn't it, I guess loads of kids who have nothing won't miss the shoeboxes but people have lost the opportunity to show them we care

I haven't read the thread, but ^regardless" of the ethics of the organizations that distribute these boxes, they are a MASSIVE waste of resources, and the carbon footprint of each box doesn't bear thinking about.

Give some money to an overseas aid charity and the people on the ground in the countries concerned will know best how to use it. Then, if you want to give your children a lesson in practical philanthropy, contact a local homeless charity ow women's refuge, who will be delighted to receive carefully chosen presents for their clients.

regardless