Hey Guys. We haven't really talked about this in class but i think it's interesting to hear people's opinions on it. So what I'm not understanding is why people think it is wrong to put evangelical items in the shoe boxes. Of course, I do have a bias because I believe in God and I'm a christian, but even so I don't think it would be wrong. The thing about evangelizing is that it's not about numbers and getting more people to be "converted" (i hate that word). It's about giving people hope and showing them a different way of looking at life. The point of Operation Christmas Child is to reach out to children all over the world who are living such a dismal and hopeless life and to let them know that there are people on the other side of the world who care for them enough to give up our time and money to give them a simple yet really effective gift; the shoe box. A lot of times these children feel helpless and feel like there is no point to their life because of their situations and misfortunes. When they receive the little booklets that talk about Jesus's love for them that come in the shoe boxes, a lot of times it gives them hope and meaning in life again to know that there is a higher being and a God that truly loves them. When missions teams go out to deliver the boxes to them, the children and families are usually overjoyed and thrilled not only because of the presents but because of the books and bibles that the missionaries deliver. My friend from church went with a group down to Nicaragua to deliver the shoe boxes. She said that she saw sooo many people clinging onto the bibles that they had received so tightly because they were so grateful for them. It's not about 'converting' people. It's about showing them love and helping them find happiness and a new meaning in life. They are in no way obligated to read the books or convert to christianity, so I think why not? However, after reading a book like "Things Fall Apart" it's understandable that people would think that missionaries are imposing their beliefs on other cultures and tearing apart the cultures and families in different countries. I really don't think that the people in Africa or Peru or Nicaragua are like, "Damn missionaries, trying to convert us."
If children around the world are being changed for the good and finding a reason to have hope for their future then why not put pamphlets into the boxes? I don't think it hurts much. But, like I said before, obviously I am biased because I am a christian myself so I am in total support of Operation Christmas Child.
P.S. I DO NOT mean to say that atheists or people of other religions don't have meaning in life, because that's not what I mean to say at all. I'm just trying to say that for some children the little evangelical pamphlets happen to give them hope and meaning. So please don't be offended cuz that's not what I mean.
P.S. Sorry if I talk too much, that was kinda long. But I feel much better after I got that off my chest. I was dying to express my feelings! and I apologize if I sounded like a preacher.
Therefore, what are your guys' thoughts? Cuz I know some people who are atheists and they still support Operation Christmas Child even though it's associated with christianity because they like the idea of giving gifts to children who are less fortunate then we are. So I'm just wondering what your views are on this. Do you think it was inappropriate for us to participate in this event as a public school? Maybe some of you didn't really even know that there was controversy about it last week while we were collecting the boxes.
The problem is that these children have faiths of their own already. Operation Christmas Child was created (according to what I've read)by a man named Franklin Graham who has called Islam “a very wicked and evil religion”. I don't think that it is right to bribe needy children with toys to convert them. Perhaps it is better than giving them nothing at all, but I couldn't say so for sure. I just wish there was a way to help these children without imposing foreign beliefs on them.
ReplyDeleteHmm I'm kinda gonna sound somewhat contradicting here but oh well. I must say that I agree with Jillian here. Like, yes I find it somewhat "bad" that the missionaries are trying to convert people but I mostly think "WHO CARES?!" These kids live absolutely horrible lives and Operation Christmas Child is there to help them. Like sure, Shea is right in saying that its impossing foreign beliefs upon them, but these kids are probably so thankful for the gifts that they received and the promises from the missionaries. They live such crap lives that the promises of Christian people would only help them, because most of the poeple that go to these countries are the true image of a 'perfect Christian.' They are kind and caring and are only there to help the kids.
ReplyDeleteSo I personnally don't really think that it's a bad thing to have bibles in the Boxes. The kids have such poor lives that it can't get any worse hahah!
If your blog had a like button I would click it.
ReplyDeleteI personally agree completely with you, as I am a strong believer in this program. I completely understand that people may feel that by filling these boxes with evangelistic items, we are infringing on these children's rights of having their own beliefs. But what I believe is that there is no one forcing these children to read the bible/pamphlet or whatnot, therefore it is a just cause. There is nothing wrong with receiving information.. I think it is up to the individual whether or not they want to process or accept the information. These children who receive the boxes are not incompetent, nor are their parents, therefore I believe that they are capable of making their own choices, and so no one is forcing them to be "converted."
Plus, a child receiving new stuff, when they have virtually nothing is basically priceless. I don't think the fact that this is an evangelistic organization should stop anyone from making that difference.
But its all a votre avis.. so