Operation Christmas Child - secular alternative?

[GeorginaA]

I'm sure this topic has been done last year, but I couldn't remember the outcome, searched and couldn't find it.

So, ds1 comes home with the Operation Christmas Child leaflets from school. I like the principle, and I think it would be good for him to focus on giving a bit more rather than receiving. However, I really dislike them being used as a vehicle for proselytising young children. Actually, dislike is an understatement - I've discovered that I really do feel quite strongly about it after looking at \link{http://www.samaritanspurse.org/their website} in more depth.

So anyway, if I refuse to do one (a) will ds1 be very left out at school for not having done one, or is it only a minority of parents that end up doing it anyway and (b) is there a secular equivalent shoebox scheme without all the literature and "ministering" to go alongside...

What is the name of the other big one that does shoeboxes, Brantwood or something? I'm pretty sure they are Christian but don't give out literature with the boxes. Hang on I'll see if I can find it for you.

OK Brantwood is John Ruskin's home on Coniston. What am I thinking of?

It's Blytheswood. They send boxes mainly to Eastern Europe. I haven't found a link yet, but will keep googling.

Moodog - yeah, that's why Georgina is asking: IS there a secular alternative - orright?

Actually, I wouldn't mind if it was a 'mainstream' Chritian charity, Christian Aid and Cafod all do excellent aid work which I am more than happy to support. But not this lot. They are clearly getting us to help them evangelise, and seem to put in a lot of care that boxes are not simply distributed from the back of lorries: "Operation Christmas Child also requires the efforts of a worldwide network of National Leadership Teams, local Christians who receive training, guidance, and encouragement from our staff to help them carry out the project in their own countries. Each National Leadership Team works with churches throughout their country to plan distributions, transport shoe box gifts, organize evangelistic activities, and enroll children in the follow-up Bible study course provided by Operation Christmas Child. Local churches not only distribute the gifts, but also share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the children and their families."

Blythswood Care

OK I got there eventually it's Blythswood. their website is here

I haven't checked it out yet, but I'm pretty sure in past years they have made a point of not distributing literature. But they are still Christian.

zippitippitoes, this is the element the charity commission are investigating.

OK WWB beat me to it. But now having checked the site they do add literature too.

Now is there another one I've been thinking of that don't?

I think there probably isn't an alternative because the idea is tarnished by operation Christmas child and most charitable organisations don't feel it is the best approach to giving for the benefit of those in poverty, as it doesn't make sense to send these type of gift boxes around the world

Reminds me of the poster last year who wanted her kid to enjoy all the 'fun' of celebrating Christmas at school while bypassing the religious stuff.

Que????

You may scathe and scoff and huff and puff, but I do think you are missing the subtleties of the point, Moondog....

Whatever form of aid/charity is given,smeone somewhere will take issue with it.

(I speak as the wife of a man heavily involved in development work in a Muslim country. Also grew up in a Pacific country crawling with missionaries.)

non christian equivalent

just putting my URL half way down the page into link format

Copied from their website:

Raising resources for now is good but in the long term we need to teach our own children to become good global citizens. Educating our children to love and work for one another, here and overseas, is central to our mission.

We aim to capture the imagination of our children and young people and release their huge power for good in our world. What better legacy could there be, than to celebrate the new millennium by investing in the future of our children.

I feel exactly as you do Georgina. Like Blu, I completely support the mainstream Christian charities but feel very, very uneasy about this one. I had never suspected anything from the literature they give out, but also looked at the website and didn't like what I saw.

actually md, it's not the christian-ness i have a problem with - I agree, it's Christmas, you might expect an element of Christianity.

However, Franklin Graham is clearly NOT the sort of person I want to support. In the same way I like to have my money/pension etc invested ethically, I prefer my charitable giving to be ethical too...

Operation Christmas Child is not supported or is indeed spoken against by a raft of Christians and organisations such as Save the Children and oraganisations which have in previous years supported it until they understood the nature of the underlyoing mission

Each to their own batters.
I happen to believe that this is a slack attitude.

I won't be celebrating Eid next week,despite being surrounded by Muslims and living in a Muslim country.

The man is entwined with Bush! (slight distancing after his comments on Muslims, but still...)

Ah well,in that case we're talking politics!

Moondog it's not the same as arguing about Christianity and Christmas or Chrisitianity and Cof E schools

It's the lack of information given to those in this country concerning the mission especially when seen in the context of the delivery of the gifts overseas

Moondog - that is a differnt issue. We are not discussing whether there is a cultural aspect to Halloween, or does everyone with a pumpkin in their window have 666 carved into their forehead and sacrifice virgins - but the ethics of this particular group. Which even responsible Chritians criticise and avoid.

Are you Scrappydog today, or what?

I was just musing on the nature of 'slack' in the House of Blu! In the space of one week, Ds will celebrate Halloween, Bonfire Night, Diwali - and no doubt badger us over some urgent additions to his Christmas list.

Very rich cultural life

Christians are distancing themselves from this organisation

not distancing themselves from Christmas