Last month I wrote a post about why I felt I couldn't join in and support Operation Christmas Child. People have very mixed views over the charity and I received mixed comments - some in support of Operation Christmas Child and some agreeing with my viewpoint. Since then I have shared my post on Twitter with Samaritan's Purse who very kindly took the time out to respond via email.
Today, in the interests of showing both sides of the story I am, with their permission, sharing their response to me. It may not answer all your questions and may not change your mind about the charity (it hasn't changed mine) but I do appreciate them taking time out to respond to this blog post and wanted them to have the opportunity to have their say.
Dear Mrs M
Firstly, we are sorry to hear how you feel about the Operation Christmas Child programme, but thank you for bringing your blog to our attention.
The mission of Samaritan’s Purse is to meet the needs of the victims of war, poverty and disease whilst sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and our website and printed literature is clear about this.
We have never put Christian literature into shoeboxes before they are shipped, nor would we ever do so. Religious items are not on our suggested list of gifts to put into a shoebox, as we are always sensitive to the indigenous culture where shoeboxes are distributed, and we also want to place an emphasis on education and fun. Where deemed appropriate by our partners ‘on the ground’, we provide copies of a Christian booklet, The Greatest Gift, which contains Bible stories, including an explanation of the true meaning of Christmas. No-one is forced or obliged to take this booklet. Any invitation to a follow-on event is not given solely to the children, but rather working in partnership with local families and communities to ensure we act with the highest level of integrity and honour as Christians. There are no strings attached to the shoebox gifts – children are not required to become Christian, or sign a pledge in order to be given a shoebox.
Operation Christmas Child is an example of faith in action. As Christians, we believe it demonstrates Jesus’ teaching of who our neighbour is and how we love them. It brings together volunteers from every culture around the UK redistributing some of the wealth we have here to those who are in desperate need. It gives children who grow up with relative wealth the chance to be a part of selfless giving to others, irrespective of the creed, colour, religion, sex, ethnicity of either the giver or the receiver. This is a powerful message for children. It is part of a positive education about true compassion and one that welcomes diversity, which runs counter to those whose ideology is to teach that religion is harmful and breeds intolerance.
Our President, Franklin Graham, has expressed his concern about Islam, the religion, not Muslims, the people. His ministry and our ministry as evangelical Christians, is to anyone who is ‘lost’, including Muslims. In fact, many if not most of the children receiving gift-filled shoeboxes are non-Christians.
As an aside, in September 2012, we were at Christ Church Primary School, Spitalfields, with Franklin Graham, launching this year's Operation Christmas Child campaign. Most of the children wrapping and packing shoeboxes there were Muslims, their parents wanting their children to go to a Christian school because of Christian values.
Franklin Graham himself has said, “I do not believe Muslims are evil people because of their faith. I personally have many Muslim friends. But I decry the evil that has been done in the name of Islam, or any other faith--including Christianity.”
I hope this helps to answer some of your concerns, and the concerns of those who commented on your blog. Ultimately, it is your choice whether or not you take part in the Operation Christmas Child campaign, but we thank you for taking the time to write your comments and share them with us.
With every blessing,
Samaritan’s Purse
I'd like to thank Samaritan's Purse for responding, where so many others probably wouldn't!
I'm another one who doesn't support Samaritan's Purse. While the email above clarifies some mis-conceptions about their 'missionary' work, I do wonder whether it would be more christian to give out the boxes without any Christian literature at all. as the 'offer' of such literature along with a 'gift' surely makes people in need feel obliged to take it.
ReplyDeleteI'm another parent who has refused to participate in our school's scheme for reasons similar to yours.
ReplyDeleteFair play to them for responding though, and you for showing a balances picture of the whole story.
*balanced* !
ReplyDeleteThey didn't address the point you raised over Graham's $1.2m salary then?
ReplyDeleteFWIW, our school stopped supporting it this year as a growing number of parents were uncomfortable about the evangelical overtones of the organisation.
They'd probably heard quotes from that Republican candidate in the US elections who said evolution was "a lie from the pit of hell" or something, and associated American Christian with Nutjob.
Lots of things are done in Gods name and a lot of them are done with good intent but that doesn't mean Christians should support them without some discernment and thought on their behalf.
Thank you for putting this on your blog. Their response confirms what I had thought when I first read your concerns. I will continue to support OCC, as will my church, because at the end of the day my job is about telling children about Jesus. However I completely understand why you and other parents wish to act with discernment and support other charities. Thank you for raising this Mrs M, it has made me more informed and aware of how many parents are feeling.
ReplyDeleteI know many people have concerns about OCC and it is great to see you publish Samaritans Purse's response. I am traveling with them in a couple of weeks to Belarus to see firsthand what happens. I am a Christian but I am entirely uncomfortable if anything is expected of these children in return for the unconditional gift. I'll be reporting completely honestly as to what I see. I visited their office today and started to see that the UK operation is run very differently to the US one and I myself have concerns about some of Franklin Graham's actions/beliefs. However I see the fabulous work that OCC UK do and I think we should not through the baby out with the bathwater, so I keep on supporting them. Mich x
ReplyDelete