School projects and proselytzing

Me Myself said:

What?! I hope I misunderstood something. You are telling me they are not doing anything legally incorrect?

They are deliberately using a religious charity when they can use a secular one.

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Yeah, I think there is a bit of misunderstanding. While some are going to see nothing wrong in this, I agree that this is wrong (which is why we're fighting it).

What I was saying in that post is that under the "Lemon Test" (from the Supreme Court ruling in Lemon v. Kurtzman), I think the school's actions violate two of the three criteria used to determine whether or not the activity should be allowed.

The problem I have is that they are using resources from a PUBLIC SCHOOL that is funded by the secular(ish) government of the USA(?) to fund a religious organization that is indoctrinating children all around the world as missionary work.

What they don't tell the kids back at home is that for these children to recieve anything from this organization they must be part of their very specific church to obtain these gifts. And then they are told it is the loving god of (imput demonination here).

I think we should have a test for your daughter's school. Lets do the exact same drive but with an Islamic group that is giving presents to Muslim children around the world.

Well, that was anticlimactic. I sent the principal an e-mail describing my objections, reasoning, and suggested alternatives.

I received an e-mail back stating that the organization (Operation Christmas Child) would not be chosen again for the class community service project.

I mean, yeah, it's a win, but I was kinda planning for a fight.

Tarheeler said:

Well, that was anticlimactic. I sent the principal an e-mail describing my objections, reasoning, and suggested alternatives.

I received an e-mail back stating that the organization (Operation Christmas Child) would not be chosen again for the class community service project.

I mean, yeah, it's a win, but I was kinda planning for a fight.

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With an organizational name of "Operation Christmas Child", it's a no-brainer that it would have uncomfortably spur religious sensitivities.

Congratulations, Tarheeler. Thank you for updating us on how the situation turned out. I'm happy for your victory. Have a small family dinner party for me, will ya, por favor?

Tarheeler said:

Well, that was anticlimactic. I sent the principal an e-mail describing my objections, reasoning, and suggested alternatives.

I received an e-mail back stating that the organization (Operation Christmas Child) would not be chosen again for the class community service project.

I mean, yeah, it's a win, but I was kinda planning for a fight.

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Congrats!

Take it as a David vs Goliath thing.

Surely David thought it was anticlimatic

Tarheeler said:

Well, that was anticlimactic. I sent the principal an e-mail describing my objections, reasoning, and suggested alternatives.

I received an e-mail back stating that the organization (Operation Christmas Child) would not be chosen again for the class community service project.

I mean, yeah, it's a win, but I was kinda planning for a fight.

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Yeah, right. Did his email say he'd be more careful in future as to not entertain any proseletyzing groups, or just this one? Do you have other kids in the same school and/or will you have the opportunity to check to see if he's a man of his word. (next year) Did you cc the e-mail to the District Superintendent?

Tarheeler said:

Well, that was anticlimactic. I sent the principal an e-mail describing my objections, reasoning, and suggested alternatives.

I received an e-mail back stating that the organization (Operation Christmas Child) would not be chosen again for the class community service project.

I mean, yeah, it's a win, but I was kinda planning for a fight.

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Congrats....

Vinayaka said:

Yeah, right. Did his email say he'd be more careful in future as to not entertain any proseletyzing groups, or just this one? Do you have other kids in the same school and/or will you have the opportunity to check to see if he's a man of his word. (next year) Did you cc the e-mail to the District Superintendent?

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I followed the school system's rules for grievances, meaning going to the teacher/principal first. If I hadn't, they could legally refuse to hear any case I had if I needed to take it that far. But it also means that if it arises again, I have to option to go straight to the superintendent.

And I do have another child (my youngest) who will be in the same grade at the same school next year.

Tarheeler said:

I followed the school system's rules for grievances, meaning going to the teacher/principal first. If I hadn't, they could legally refuse to hear any case I had if I needed to take it that far. But it also means that if it arises again, I have to option to go straight to the superintendent.

And I do have another child (my youngest) who will be in the same grade at the same school next year.

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Good! You seem like the type to watch out for the sneaks in the crowd.

averageJOE said:

You are moving the goal posts. This thread, and discussion, is about Operation Christmas Child. So my question stands; How does a cheap toy and a “sinner’s prayer” of conversion and a religious pledge card help a starving child?

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Not to mention the Salvation Army is discriminatory against non-heterosexual employees and organizations. Most of the time the faith behind a charity does interfere with good behavior. That's why I've always campaigned against the Boy Scouts using public facilities. If the district takes a stance against sexual discrimination, you definitely shouldn't be allowing exceptions for faith-based organizations.

On a personal level I don't donate to religious charities because the time and effort spent on promoting a religious message is a waste.