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Parents and schools are advised to find out the full facts behind the apparently benign Christmas gift-giving organization operating in schools across the UK. Operation Christmas Child encourages parents and children to donate gifts to fill ‘shoeboxes’ which are then sent to vulnerable children in developing countries. However, schools often fail to realize that Operation Christmas Child is actually part of Samaritan’s Purse, run by the notorious American Christian evangelist and homophobe Franklin Graham. Humanitarian UK said schools should provide parents with the ‘full facts’ and offer suitable alternatives before encouraging donations.
Operation Christmas Child’s annual Shoebox Appeal is promoted by many schools as a positive way of helping the poor in other countries at this festive time of year. The appeal sends shoeboxes filled with toys, books and other gifts to vulnerable children in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. But Samaritan’s Purse uses a Trojan horse approach to add religious literature alongside gift boxes after leaving schools. The purpose of literature is to convert children to Christianity.
Additionally, the head of Samaritan’s Purse, Reverend William Franklin Graham III, is the son of noted American preacher Billy Graham. He has a long history of making homophobic and racist comments. He also said that Muslims should be ‘prevented from immigrating to America’ and called on Christians to convert Muslims. In 2020, Graham participated in the ‘March for Life’ calling for a complete ban on abortion.
Earlier this year, parents of an evangelical faith school in England raised the alarm with the school about supporting Operation Christmas Child. The school investigated the organization and agreed with them, deciding that the organization’s views were ‘not consistent with a school where students can be themselves and are respected and celebrated for who they are.’
Humanist UK Education Campaign Manager Robert Kane said:
‘Christmas is a time of giving, and children love to feel that they are helping those who may be less fortunate than themselves. So it’s no surprise that Operation Christmas Child has been so successful in getting donations from schools across the country. However I am sure that many parents, once they know the full facts behind this campaign, will prefer that their support was directed elsewhere.
‘There are plenty of decent options, and despite being a Grinch so far, I would just encourage parents to get in touch with their children’s schools to find other ways to bring Christmas joy to underprivileged children – veiled evangelism and homophobia.’
Causes such as Aquabox and Link to Hope (itself a Christian charity) also run similar shoebox appeals, but with no apparent motive. Other charities such as Plan UK, Oxfam and Children in Need have Christmas appeals.
Humanitarian UK has drafted a sample letter to schools outlining what their donation is worth. He urges them to reconsider their support for the scheme. The letter can be downloaded from humanists.uk/ethical-appeals.
Notes:
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richie Thompson on press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 07534 248 596.
Read more about Operation Christmas Child and Humanist UK’s campaign on the Alternative Appeal.
Read our article about how a school dropped Operation Christmas Child after parents complained about homophobia.
Humanitarian UK is a national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by 100,000 members and supporters, we advance free thought and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thought and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education and support services that benefit more than a million people each year, and our campaigns advance humanitarian thinking on ethical issues, human rights and equal treatment for all.
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