Samaritans -Purse Shoebox Appeal

[sippo]

Lets do this.

 

https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/how-to-pack-a-shoebox/

 

Suppliers could donate items.

[Andrew_C]

Let's not please.

 

Samaritan's Purse are a right-wing, fundamentalist, Christian organisation. I believe run by Billy Graham's son.

 

If that isn't enough to put you off, consider this. "Yes little child, you can have a Christmas present, but you must come to bible class first" regardless of the possibility that your parents are muslim/hindu/atheist/whatever.

 

Could we please use a Rotary collection, or maybe something from here? More info on SP here too.

[sippo]

Really?!

 

Surely it's about the kids. Someone has been looking into this a little too much.

 

I'm the least religious person you'd ever meet. It can't be that bad, as it's really really popular.

[3s-gtech]

Yeah, no. I fully support the idea of doing something like this, but not to a charity which has consistently tried to push an ulterior motive.

[clockend25]

I think we're supporting this as a school, with the aim of handing over 100 shoeboxes. Judging by the most recent update I don't think we're going to get there...

[NB9457]

Yeah, whilst I agree with the concept, I totally disagree with the forcing religion upon people, which does happen.

[sippo]

Yeah, no. I fully support the idea of doing something like this, but not to a charity which has consistently tried to push an ulterior motive.

 

I never knew this, but surely most charities have a motive of some sort? If it helps the kids, then that's what matters?

[3s-gtech]

Perhaps, though I'd say most charities have the motive of simply wishing to help. By pushing Christianity, in countries which are often torn by religious violence and unrest, they are over stepping the mark. I would rather support one of the secular alternatives myself. If people know their full agenda, and are happy to donate in that case then that is up to them. I dislike that their second agenda is not made clear to fund raisers and those who donate.

[witch]

They are an evangelical organisation and therefore their remit is to push Christianity wherever they are. They used to be a lot more aggressive and make children come to bible class to get presents but they say they have stopped this.

They are nothing to do with the British Samaritans either.

[jcollings]

https://humanism.org.uk/humanism/humanism-today/humanists-doing/good-causes-and-charities/samaritans-purse/

[Andrew_C]

I never knew this, but surely most charities have a motive of some sort? If it helps the kids, then that's what matters?

That is what they are relying on. Help the kids by all means; but please let's not support fundamentalism of ANY stripe.

[ICTLady]

There are a number of alternatives to Samaritans Purse which provide items to children but without the pushing of Christianity onto children from non-Christian backgrounds. If you read the Samaritans Purse annual reports, they are very frank there (unlike in the literature that goes to well-meaning potential donors) about the evangelical agenda of the shoebox appeal.

 

My kids's school supported Mary's Meals last year, where you send a child the things they need to pack a bag for school. That seemed like a lovely idea.

[Nixon77]

[h=2]The only thing I know about this charity is they help people on the verge.[/h]

[Andrew_C]

Well, you could read a bit more?

[Nixon77]

Sorry I am getting mixed with,

 

Samaritans

[mikeprice]

Sorry I am getting mixed with,

 

Samaritans

Maybe that is the source of a lot of confusion - which they do little to change

[witch]

Sorry I am getting mixed with,

 

Samaritans

 

Exactly why I changed the title of this thread and made the point that they were nothing to do with the Samaritans