I would like to respond to Ella Dickinson’s letter (November 27), in which she quotes Rev David Applin, chief executive of Samaritan’s Purse, as declaring that the religious pamphlets which normally accompany the shoeboxes Operation Christmas Child distributes “are not distributed in Muslim countries”. But, the Samaritan’s Purse website states that the organisation is active in converting Muslims to their form of Christianity.
It is up to each of us to make up our own minds whether we choose to support this organisation, but what concerns me is their lack of clarity about their aims and the scant and sometimes misleading information provided to the organisations which choose to support Operation Christmas Child.
Samaritan’s Purse has, on its own website at least, a clearly stated mission to convert those of other religions, and it is important that anyone preparing a shoebox should be aware of the use to which their generous donations are being put.
Charity should be an integral part of any caring society, but it should be given without condition, and there are plenty of charities which provide aid unconditionally. The Code of Conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies commitment 2 “Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious viewpoint”, has 452 signatories, including Christian Aid and CAFOD. Neither Samaritan’s Purse nor Operation Christmas Child are listed. Of course, religious organisations have a right to share their beliefs with others, but in my opinion, it is unethical to link this to the provision of aid to those in dire situations.
Louise Spencely Manton
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