Samaritan's Purse

[Mickey'snewestfan]

So if an organization chose to take out the pamphlet and replace it with a Quran before giving it to the kids, Samaritan's purse would still use them?

If not, there are strings attached.

I have no idea why that posted twice. That wasn't my intention.

 

[taylor3297]

I have no idea why that posted twice. That wasn't my intention.

I did think it was strange. Thanks for clarifying. Technology is great when it works the way we want it to.

 

[tar heel]

I have serious issues with Franklin Graham - both his neanderthal positions on important issues and his outrageous salary - and would never give a monetary contribution to Samaritan's Purse. I think Christmas Child is a pretty good project, though, and have been involved with packing many of those boxes. I've lost count of the number of organizations my kids have been involved with that have done them. They also did them as class projects in PUBLIC SCHOOL. The mainstream church I belong to does a bunch every year -- the deadline is in this week's newsletter.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

They also did them as class projects in PUBLIC SCHOOL.

That's horrifying to me. How can involving public school children in evangelism be defended?

 

[torinsmom]

Our small church packed 75 boxes last year. It's a lot of fun to shop and pack the boxes. We always use plastic shoe boxes, because I have heard that many of the kids use the plastic shoe boxes for many years

It is a mission outreach program, so I agree that public schools should not be involved.

 

[tar heel]

That's horrifying to me. How can involving public school children in evangelism be defended?

I agree. I will say it was several years ago before Samaritan's Purse had the kind of negative publicity it's had the past few years.

 

[Buckalew11]

So if an organization chose to take out the pamphlet and replace it with a Quran before giving it to the kids, Samaritan's purse would still use them?

If not, there are strings attached.

I believe this same organizations delivers them and hands them out so no other organization would be able to make that choice. I feel sure that Samaritan's Purse would not pass them out if the message was any different that the Gospel of Christ.


There really are no "strings attached" to that message even. I'm sure the book presents it and that's it. Christianity does not have strings attached to it --it is just a Biblical message of Love.

As a kid in NJ, I was handed a very small "Gideon's New Testament Bible" in the parking lot of Woolworth's dept store. A man, who was a member of the Gideon's (who place Bibles in hotel rooms) gave it to me. No strings attached. Even as someone who accepted the Gift, still, no strings attached.

I do think people should know what they are giving to, supporting and if they disagree with certain messages than do not give to it. There are so many ways to help others.

 

[Saphire]

I participated in this great program as my kids were growing up. It was a really good way to help them think globally. We would go to various stores and decide on our purchases, what items would be needed, what toys would be fun for a boy or girl in the age group they chose. When it was time to turn in the boxes, my kids felt happy and excited for the child so far away that would receive it. I think this simple but profound project has made a wonderful impact on the lives of poor children around the world.

 

[dallastxcpa]

That's horrifying to me. How can involving public school children in evangelism be defended?

Christian students can meet in school and have clubs and do the shoe boxes if they choose. It is their right just like there are drama clubs, clubs for foreign students, clubs for future teachers, and ag students and so on.

Just because you are not religious doesn't mean others aren't and their legal rights to organize and voice their opinions even in public school are guaranteed by our constitution.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Christian students can meet in school and have clubs and do the shoe boxes if they choose. It is their right just like there are drama clubs, clubs for foreign students, clubs for future teachers, and ag students and so on.

Just because you are not religious doesn't mean others aren't and their legal rights to organize and voice their opinions even in public school are guaranteed by our constitution.

But both of the PP's who referenced doing this in school were specific that it happened in the classroom. That's what's horrifying to me.

You're right, I don't have a problem with a middle school or high school allowing a club to meet that then chooses this project, but that is not what was described above, and not what I was responding to.

 

[crashbb]

Christian students can meet in school and have clubs and do the shoe boxes if they choose. It is their right just like there are drama clubs, clubs for foreign students, clubs for future teachers, and ag students and so on.

Just because you are not religious doesn't mean others aren't and their legal rights to organize and voice their opinions even in public school are guaranteed by our constitution.

The reference was to it being done as a class project - not as a student club.

 

[luvsJack]

There is more than one organization that does the boxes although I don't know the names of the others.

Some of you should go on the trip to deliver the boxes one time. My sister, her dd and her dgd went two years ago. There stories of the happiness those boxes brought the children and the adults will make you cry.

I may not agree with everything an organization believes but I do agree with the end result of what sending these boxes does.

As for a pubic school taking part; many schools and/or classes choose a community service this time of year. They are just making the boxes not discussing anyone's anti gay views.

 

[tar heel]

When my kids did he shoeboxes in school, it was most definitely not part of a Christian club but rather a classwide service project.

There are a lot more problems with Franklin Graham than his anti-Gay views, such as his disgusting comments about Muslims and his exorbitant salary.

 

[sissy_ib]

There is more than one organization that does the boxes although I don't know the names of the others.

Some of you should go on the trip to deliver the boxes one time. My sister, her dd and her dgd went two years ago. There stories of the happiness those boxes brought the children and the adults will make you cry.

I may not agree with everything an organization believes but I do agree with the end result of what sending these boxes does.

As for a pubic school taking part; many schools and/or classes choose a community service this time of year. They are just making the boxes not discussing anyone's anti gay views.

I really like the shoe box idea as you can do so much with it. Thank you for mentioning other organizations because I am now going to try to look up some without religious affiliations. We don't have any children so it is easy for us to do things like this at the holidays.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

There is more than one organization that does the boxes although I don't know the names of the others.

Some of you should go on the trip to deliver the boxes one time. My sister, her dd and her dgd went two years ago. There stories of the happiness those boxes brought the children and the adults will make you cry.

I may not agree with everything an organization believes but I do agree with the end result of what sending these boxes does.

As for a pubic school taking part; many schools and/or classes choose a community service this time of year. They are just making the boxes not discussing anyone's anti gay views.

The mission of the organization, the purpose of the activity, is to try and convert children to the Christian faith. This is an activity whose purpose is to undermine parent's right to choose what their children are taught to believe. By doing it in public school they'd be doing the same thing to my child that the organization does overseas.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I love doing the shoe boxes each year.

Last year 2 of our shoe boxes went to Georgia Republic and 2 went to Zambia Africa.

On of the ds friends handed shoeboxes out and said how happy the kids were to get these. Another person we know distributed the shoe boxes in Senegal I think. He said the little boys just loved hot wheels cars the best.

I smile thinking of how blessed and happy these kids will be with simple things I get at a dollar store.

My dh travels alot internationally and I always remember how he told me once he saw a little boy under a bridge in Russia , an orphan, with no clothes on, just a rag practically And then I think of so many kids in need.

Yes I help here locally too. We give to the local toy drives, food for kids, usually whatever they ask for. I also participate in a program that gives christmas gifts to children who have parents in prison.

I just think of the kids and how they will be blessed and how blessed I am and I want to share that with others etc.

 

[superme80]

OP thanking you for mentioning this. It is such a great orginization.

 

[sam_gordon]

But both of the PP's who referenced doing this in school were specific that it happened in the classroom. That's what's horrifying to me.

You're right, I don't have a problem with a middle school or high school allowing a club to meet that then chooses this project, but that is not what was described above, and not what I was responding to.

I agree. I have no problem with this (or any religious project) be done during "club time" or before/after classes at school. But to be done as a class project, IMO, is wrong.

I do believe one of the PP who mentioned this though was in Canada. I don't know what their laws are regarding religion & public schools.

 

[bored]

The wife and I are going with our church group to work at Samaritan's Purse's wareshouse in Boone, NC the second week of Dec. to help sorting and getting the boxes ready to go. It is a great organization and we try to go volunteer every year.

 

[tinatark]

It's pretty simple.

Either participate or not.

If it is so horrifying that a public school is participating/promoting, then make calls to the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, etc. and have them do what they feel is their mission.

I believe the boxes are given to the children as a gift, with no strings attached. If you participate by giving a shoe box, you are aware of their mission, and if you participate by receiving a shoe box, you are aware that a Christian organization is the one giving it to you.