Samaritan's Purse

[luvsJack]

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.

Putting a few little gifts in a shoe box is converting your child?

The purpose of this activity is to provide a Christmas gift for a poverished child in a poverished country.

In all the times any public school class has made the boxes, not once have I ever heard anyone trying to convert anyone. The boxes were done in the same way that gifts are collected for the Salvation Army (which is also a christian organization, btw). They do the boxes to give someone a Christmas gift, nothing more, nothing less; regardless of the organization that is sending the box. Any public school teacher can present it as giving a gift, no mention of the Christian beliefs have to be mentioned.

I don't understand this almost fear of anyone mentioning Christianity around someone that isn't Christian.

As for "trying to convert", giving information so that an adult or a child can make a decision for themselves is not "trying to convert". Its just putting the information out there.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Putting a few little gifts in a shoe box is converting your child?

The purpose of this activity is to provide a Christmas gift for a poverished child in a poverished country.

In all the times any public school class has made the boxes, not once have I ever heard anyone trying to convert anyone. The boxes were done in the same way that gifts are collected for the Salvation Army (which is also a christian organization, btw). They do the boxes to give someone a Christmas gift, nothing more, nothing less; regardless of the organization that is sending the box. Any public school teacher can present it as giving a gift, no mention of the Christian beliefs have to be mentioned.

I don't understand this almost fear of anyone mentioning Christianity around someone that isn't Christian.

As for "trying to convert", giving information so that an adult or a child can make a decision for themselves is not "trying to convert". Its just putting the information out there.

I ask this sincerely: If your child came home with an unsolicited, by you, box of gifts and a pamphlet talking about a faith other than yours, be that Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, another Christian faith, or another faith entirely, given in honor of a holiday that you may not celebrate and by a truly loving and caring member of that faith, would you mind at all? Would you be surprised or at all concerned? If not, that is truly wonderful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd mind, as I'm teaching my children to be open minded. But I suspect we are in the minority, and that is from where many of the concerns are originating.

 

[Southernmiss]

I ask this sincerely: If your child came home with an unsolicited, by you, box of gifts and a pamphlet talking about a faith other than yours, be that Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, another Christian faith, or another faith entirely, given in honor of a holiday that you may not celebrate and by a truly loving and caring member of that faith, would you mind at all? Would you be surprised or at all concerned? If not, that is truly wonderful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd mind, as I'm teaching my children to be open minded. But I suspect we are in the minority, and that is from where many of the concerns are originating.

I wondered the same thing. I am Catholic and one of our similar charities is Catholic Relief Services. If this was the organization a public school club was going to support, would there be a different response because "Catholic" is in the title of the organization?

Samaritan's purse does not immediately give away the denomination of the group.

 

[skater]

I ask this sincerely: If your child came home with an unsolicited, by you, box of gifts and a pamphlet talking about a faith other than yours, be that Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, another Christian faith, or another faith entirely, given in honor of a holiday that you may not celebrate and by a truly loving and caring member of that faith, would you mind at all? Would you be surprised or at all concerned? If not, that is truly wonderful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd mind, as I'm teaching my children to be open minded. But I suspect we are in the minority, and that is from where many of the concerns are originating.

I can't answer for luvsjack, but I am thinking sincerely about your post. If I was so poor that my kids' basic needs weren't being met, I don't think I'd care at all. If it happened (in our current circumstances) at school or somewhere else where my child was a "captive audience," I might be a little irritated. Or I might sit down with them and discuss it. I've always taught them about lots of cultures and religions. But we're firm in our own faith. Its a hard question and a good question. I love that we live in a country that has freedom of religion. I sometimes feel that we've gone too far in the direction of freedom from religion, but I agree that we have to be careful to protect this wonderful and unique right we have as Americans to worship the way we want to or not to worship at all.

 

[luvsJack]

I ask this sincerely: If your child came home with an unsolicited, by you, box of gifts and a pamphlet talking about a faith other than yours, be that Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, another Christian faith, or another faith entirely, given in honor of a holiday that you may not celebrate and by a truly loving and caring member of that faith, would you mind at all? Would you be surprised or at all concerned? If not, that is truly wonderful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd mind, as I'm teaching my children to be open minded. But I suspect we are in the minority, and that is from where many of the concerns are originating.

The gift itself, if we were in a position that this was the only gift my child would receive, I would be grateful for. I certainly would not be suspect about a few hair bows, some tooth paste and a teddy bear.

We would discuss an information given to them and talk about the differences in that faith and in our our faith. Other faiths are not something to be frightened of or to not allow our children to know about. For dd (or any child) to know what their beliefs ARE and to be truly faithful to thier beliefs, they need to know what other faiths are about, what they believe and why.

That's what I don't understand. How does any child know what they believe if mom or dad is so frightened of any information that they hide from it?

I am not sure all the places the boxes are given out. But where my sister, niece and great-niece went was El Salvador. The people there did celebrate Christmas and many were Christian or were raised in a Christian faith.

 

[sam_gordon]

I ask this sincerely: If your child came home with an unsolicited, by you, box of gifts and a pamphlet talking about a faith other than yours, be that Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, another Christian faith, or another faith entirely, given in honor of a holiday that you may not celebrate and by a truly loving and caring member of that faith, would you mind at all? Would you be surprised or at all concerned? If not, that is truly wonderful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd mind, as I'm teaching my children to be open minded. But I suspect we are in the minority, and that is from where many of the concerns are originating.

I agree with the others. If my family was in such a state that this box of gifts was one of the few gifts my kids got, I would be grateful. I wouldn't concern myself with the goals of the organization that gave the box, I'd be glad they could provide my child with some happiness.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I ask this sincerely: If your child came home with an unsolicited, by you, box of gifts and a pamphlet talking about a faith other than yours, be that Islam, Hinduism, Atheism, another Christian faith, or another faith entirely, given in honor of a holiday that you may not celebrate and by a truly loving and caring member of that faith, would you mind at all? Would you be surprised or at all concerned? If not, that is truly wonderful. Personally, I'm not sure I'd mind, as I'm teaching my children to be open minded. But I suspect we are in the minority, and that is from where many of the concerns are originating.

I came home from work one day when my DD was 3 or 4 and she was singing a Ramadan song. We are Roman Catholic so I know I didn't teach it to her. I asked her what she was actually saying (she mumbled a lot back then) and she told me that her friend's dad came in to speak to the kids about their holiday. They got candy. And he taught them a fun song. She enjoyed it and I loved that she was learning about different religions. And before anyone says anything, she spent the next 7 years in Catholic school (public schools sucked) so we are a religious family. The world isn't black and white. It's made up of many different people and beliefs. Knowledge is a lovely thing.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I enjoy all the thoughtful responses. As I wrote, I don't think I'd have a problem with it myself, in this country, for the same reasons that others have mentioned.

By way of background, I was raised in a devoutly Catholic family with an oddly pan-spiritual twist and we were always exposed to other faiths and celebrated many other faith traditions (like I said, it was odd, and too complicated to explain succinctly). I would actually love it if my children were exposed to other faiths for true exploration and not for the purpose of leveraged conversion.

My concern, however, is that what is truly and honestly believed to be "trying to help the less fortunate" to one group can come off as a messianic missionary zeal to another group, and when that second group is not in a position to say "no, thank you", either because they are not educated enough to do so, or because, as others have pointed out, they truly need the gift, then it risks becoming, however unintentionally, a stick rather than a carrot. Does the fact that the recipient "needs" the gift provide the gift giver with an unfair opportunity to prosthelytize?

It's a fascinating topic, really, and I appreciate the thoughtful responses.

 

[Princess Dolly]

There is a huge difference between learning about different faiths/religions (which I love) and trying to convert followers. The booklet that is included is trying to convert not just teach.

 

[sam_gordon]

There is a huge difference between learning about different faiths/religions (which I love) and trying to convert followers. The booklet that is included is trying to convert not just teach.

But no one is forcing anyone to read the book. And aren't we talking about the Bible (I think that's what's included)? Is the Bible trying to convert someone?

 

[luvsJack]

I enjoy all the thoughtful responses. As I wrote, I don't think I'd have a problem with it myself, in this country, for the same reasons that others have mentioned.

By way of background, I was raised in a devoutly Catholic family with an oddly pan-spiritual twist and we were always exposed to other faiths and celebrated many other faith traditions (like I said, it was odd, and too complicated to explain succinctly). I would actually love it if my children were exposed to other faiths for true exploration and not for the purpose of leveraged conversion.

My concern, however, is that what is truly and honestly believed to be "trying to help the less fortunate" to one group can come off as a messianic missionary zeal to another group, and when that second group is not in a position to say "no, thank you", either because they are not educated enough to do so, or because, as others have pointed out, they truly need the gift, then it risks becoming, however unintentionally, a stick rather than a carrot. Does the fact that the recipient "needs" the gift provide the gift giver with an unfair opportunity to prosthelytize?

It's a fascinating topic, really, and I appreciate the thoughtful responses.

There is no possible way this group or any other can force anyone to believe the way they do. Christianity cannot be forced. Either you are or you aren't and only you and God know for sure. So, I don't see how a pamphlet talking about Jesus is hurtful to anyone. If the person reading it doesn't have any belief in what it says, no one can force them to and no one will stop giving their child Christmas boxes.

The items are given because it is things that are needed. The pamphlet included does not put any strings on the gift.

Any Christian should use any opportunity to witness that is what our beliefs are about, but that doesn't mean anyone is holding conversion over anyone's head.

 

[luvsJack]

There is a huge difference between learning about different faiths/religions (which I love) and trying to convert followers. The booklet that is included is trying to convert not just teach.

How?

 

[Princess Dolly]

How?

I would link it, but I don't know if that's against board guidelines. Let's just say it ends with the sinner's prayer and a pledge.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

There is no possible way this group or any other can force anyone to believe the way they do. Christianity cannot be forced. Either you are or you aren't and only you and God know for sure. So, I don't see how a pamphlet talking about Jesus is hurtful to anyone. If the person reading it doesn't have any belief in what it says, no one can force them to and no one will stop giving their child Christmas boxes.

The items are given because it is things that are needed. The pamphlet included does not put any strings on the gift.

Any Christian should use any opportunity to witness that is what our beliefs are about, but that doesn't mean anyone is holding conversion over anyone's head.

I think you are looking at this, understandably, through the lens of the American concept of freedom of religion, a concept that is still nascent, or even non-existent, in the nations targeted by this program. Therefore, I think I'll bow out of this vein of the conversation, as I think we are unlikely to come to a consensus and I don't think it makes sense to belabor a point where we come with fundamentally different perspectives.