Does this seem right? Bible booklets spreading the word...
Discussion
Does anyone know of "operation Christmas Child"?
My 5 year old daughter came home from school last week really excited about preparing a shoe box wrapped in Christmas paper and placing gifts inside. Her school has subscribed as a "partner" to Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child.
The idea is that the gift boxes will be distributed to the children of countries less fortunate. I really like the idea and the fact that my daughter really wants another less fortunate child in another country to benefit from her actions is quite humbling.
However, the head mistress of my daughter's school is extremely religious (she's new to the school) and is very much intending to follow the organisation's desire to spread their religious beliefs by placing a "booklet of bible stories" in each of the boxes.
I'm really uncomfortable with this. Samaritan Purse's web site does state "where culturally appropriate..." but I'm a bit of a cynic these days and feel that this is potentially propaganda and all of the boxes will have the booklet.
As you've probably gathered, I am not religious in any shape or form but I do respect people's faiths. However, I feel that both the school and the Samaritan's Purse have an obligation to confirm where these boxes are going and confirm whether they'll be adding their bible stories or not.
Am I just looking into this too much or do I have a point to be concerned?
Here's the link and a couple of excerpts from web site:
http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/
"Where culturally appropriate, our overseas partners will make available a booklet of Bible stories, which gives a message of hope and an explanation of the true meaning of Christmas - God's gift of His Son, Jesus."
"Statement of Faith
Samaritan’s Purse bases its ministry on the following statement of faith:
My 5 year old daughter came home from school last week really excited about preparing a shoe box wrapped in Christmas paper and placing gifts inside. Her school has subscribed as a "partner" to Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child.
The idea is that the gift boxes will be distributed to the children of countries less fortunate. I really like the idea and the fact that my daughter really wants another less fortunate child in another country to benefit from her actions is quite humbling.
However, the head mistress of my daughter's school is extremely religious (she's new to the school) and is very much intending to follow the organisation's desire to spread their religious beliefs by placing a "booklet of bible stories" in each of the boxes.
I'm really uncomfortable with this. Samaritan Purse's web site does state "where culturally appropriate..." but I'm a bit of a cynic these days and feel that this is potentially propaganda and all of the boxes will have the booklet.
As you've probably gathered, I am not religious in any shape or form but I do respect people's faiths. However, I feel that both the school and the Samaritan's Purse have an obligation to confirm where these boxes are going and confirm whether they'll be adding their bible stories or not.
Am I just looking into this too much or do I have a point to be concerned?
Here's the link and a couple of excerpts from web site:
http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/
"Where culturally appropriate, our overseas partners will make available a booklet of Bible stories, which gives a message of hope and an explanation of the true meaning of Christmas - God's gift of His Son, Jesus."
"Statement of Faith
Samaritan’s Purse bases its ministry on the following statement of faith:
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (II Timothy 3:15-17)
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 4:4-6).........."
Edited by Sym7 on Monday 23 November 15:53
I would (and did) put the box in the bin last year. Then I complained to the school and they are no longer following this.
Go spend some time on google looking up the organisation behind this and its founders. I find that I dont want to support them in their arguably racist evangelical exercise.
"The accounts for Samaritan's Purse UK for 2006 show a turnover in excess of £22 million.[16] Of this total, only £1.3 million was disbursed on relief and aid projects with the balance spent on promotion and operations associated with the evangelical project Operation Christmas Child."
All that aside it seems an exercise in making people feel good about giving something which is not actually very helpful.
For the record, I give to MSF and MAP on a regular basis. We also support CCP through donating the time of a specialist.
Go spend some time on google looking up the organisation behind this and its founders. I find that I dont want to support them in their arguably racist evangelical exercise.
"The accounts for Samaritan's Purse UK for 2006 show a turnover in excess of £22 million.[16] Of this total, only £1.3 million was disbursed on relief and aid projects with the balance spent on promotion and operations associated with the evangelical project Operation Christmas Child."
All that aside it seems an exercise in making people feel good about giving something which is not actually very helpful.
For the record, I give to MSF and MAP on a regular basis. We also support CCP through donating the time of a specialist.
ZOLLAR said:
Defcon5 said:
Cant they send stuff to the lads fighting in Afgan and Iraq instead?
I understand what your sayin our lads out there need a lot of help from home seeing the government wont help them, but what would they do with a shoebox filled with toys from a 5 yr old?
does this mean that ina few months time she wont be religeous and pulling her hair out??Does your daughter go to a "faith" school?
If its a catholic, or C of E (or other brand of christianity) then you cant really complain, its part of their curriculum, my son has previously been to a Catholic and a couple of C of E schools, did make my piss boil when he came home telling me the latest bible nonsense he learned in school that week.
Oddly, he must be more impressionable that me, I used to get it all the time at school but just ignored it as "stories".
Anyway, if she is at a faith independent (or whatever they are calling a non-church school these days) a politely worded letter to the head mistress might be an idea, saying in principal you support the idea but subscribing to a church-run charity program like this is probably not appropriate for a non-faith school and runs the risk of offending athesiest or agnostic sensibilities.
ETA I should add I didnt have a choice as to what school to send him to, was the ex-birds perogative.
If its a catholic, or C of E (or other brand of christianity) then you cant really complain, its part of their curriculum, my son has previously been to a Catholic and a couple of C of E schools, did make my piss boil when he came home telling me the latest bible nonsense he learned in school that week.
Oddly, he must be more impressionable that me, I used to get it all the time at school but just ignored it as "stories".
Anyway, if she is at a faith independent (or whatever they are calling a non-church school these days) a politely worded letter to the head mistress might be an idea, saying in principal you support the idea but subscribing to a church-run charity program like this is probably not appropriate for a non-faith school and runs the risk of offending athesiest or agnostic sensibilities.
ETA I should add I didnt have a choice as to what school to send him to, was the ex-birds perogative.
Edited by davido140 on Monday 23 November 15:16
t - in fact ignore this post if you like i dont care.lenandsons said:
And the issue with including extracts from the bible is what exactly ?? The first 6 letters of Christmas spell what exactly? After all the whole festival is to celebrate the birth of Christ, not the commercialised extreme it is today. All IMHO naturally
I celebrate a commerical christmas thank you. It might not be the same festival you celebrate but its on the same day.Its a time to give presents and have a day off work, eat lots and drink too much.
Thats all it means to me, no more, no less.
ETA I can call it x-mas if you like? Not bothered what its called.
"Extra day off work-mas" ?
Edited by davido140 on Monday 23 November 15:15
jackal said:
christmas is all about Christ
so it's entirely appropriate is it not ?
Like you I am not the slightest bit religious but learning about the life of Christ is a damm good thing esp. in this day and age
Yes, because times with religion have been so much better... Haven't they? so it's entirely appropriate is it not ?
Like you I am not the slightest bit religious but learning about the life of Christ is a damm good thing esp. in this day and age
smn159 said:
davido140 said:
Does your daughter go to a "faith" school?
If its a catholic, or C of E (or other brand of christianity) then you cant really complain
You can and you should complain - your taxes are funding this nonsense.If its a catholic, or C of E (or other brand of christianity) then you cant really complain
The parent has the choice of chosing a non-faith school if they would prefer.
lenandsons said:
And the issue with including extracts from the bible is what exactly ?? The first 6 letters of Christmas spell what exactly? After all the whole festival is to celebrate the birth of Christ, not the commercialised extreme it is today. All IMHO naturally
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