The following is a quote regarding the shoeboxes from the Samaritan's Purse web site www.samaritanspurse.org : "These gifts [the shoeboxes] help our local ministry partners build relationships with families and community leaders, opening doors that can lead to more freedom to share the Good News of Jesus Christ". In other words, the shoebox gifts are an integral part of their third world proselytization program. I have several concerns with this matter:

-In my experience as a teacher in two different schools where the shoe box program has been implemented, there has been no mention made to the staff and the students that this program is being operated by an evangelical Christian organization, let alone that the boxes are part of a proselytization campaign. It's very likely that numerous parents would object to this program if they were aware of its complete agenda. Therefore, at a minimum, parents should be informed of the group's goals and how they use the shoeboxes in their proselytizing. It is not my intention to suggest that there has been any deliberate attempt at the school level to misinform. Rather, I believe that the Samaritan's Purse organization deliberately plays down this issue, and focuses instead on exploiting our desire to do kind things to help others. We, in turn, tend to not explore and address the issues that should arise when we consider the appropriateness of participating in this program.

-To my knowledge there are no standards as to the cultural appropriateness of the items included in the shoeboxes.

-Given that we have allowed this organization access to our schools (while keeping in mind we are a public board in a multi-cultural community) we need to keep in mind that we may get similar requests from non-Christian organizations. Are we going to be as open to a similar scheme where a non-Christian organization is involved? If the answer were yes, would this offend certain members of the Christian community?

-I was listening to C.B.C. radio this morning and heard two parents expressing similar concerns on this issue to mine. This suggests that I am not a voice in the dark on this issue. These parents mentioned that it is C.B.E. policy to leave the decision on this matter to the school owing to a site based management policy. I question the notion that board regulations and policies should be such that programs like this should be operating in any C.B.E. facility. Specifically, I think that programs like this should not be allowed and that the direction for this change of policy should come from the board level.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

- Anonymous (Teacher in Calgary)

At first glance, Operation Christmas Child seems to be a worthwhile exercise for our children ­ a hands-on activity which teaches them to give to others less fortunate by packing a shoebox of gifts for needy children in the third world. Upon closer inspection however, the organization behind Operation Christmas Child ­ Samaritan’s Purse, headed by evangelical minister Franklin Graham - has a very different aim: proselytizing with the goal of converting people to fundamentalist Christianity. The shoeboxes are not gifts in the true sense of the word ­ there are strings attached. The literature distributed in the public schools downplays the true nature of their enterprise. Yet Graham himself admits the program “is not just about reaching children with a shoe box…this project focuses on sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with them through Christian Literature distributed in the shoe boxes.” Children must attend a Christian rally to receive these boxes.

For further information about Samaritan’s Purse, we have attached information from various sources. As you can see, some of Mr. Graham’s comments are truly disturbing, given the multi-cultural make-up of the students in Calgary Public Schools. It is not appropriate for our schools to ask our students to help promote one religion over another.

Furthermore, we believe the Board of Education needs to enforce The School Act Chapter S-3.1, Diversity in shared values, which states:

2.01(1) All education programs offered and instructional materials used in schools must reflect the diverse nature and heritage of society in Alberta, promote understanding and respect for others and honour and respect the common values and beliefs of Albertans. (2) For greater certainty, education programs and instructional materials referred to in subsection (1) must not promote or foster doctrines of racial or ethnic superiority or persecution, religious intolerance or persecution, social change through violent action or disobedience of laws. http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/Documents/acts/S03.CFM

Clearly, Samaritan’s Purse is in violation of the above chapter.

Furthermore, The CBE policy on this issue states:

Policy 3067 and Regulation 3067 "Since the public school, by definition, accepts children of all faiths and creeds, it must show tolerance and respect for differences arising from differences in faith..." "Teachers must avoid activities which may be construed as compulsory acts of worship or the propagation of dogma." http://www.cbe.ab.ca/ch%5Fsupt/oppolicy/sp%26o.asp

We look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

- Anonymous (parents of elementary school children)

The Red Deer Public School District is attempting to modernize its policy governing religion's role in the public schools.  It has put out for public comment its draft revision of policy 6.01, withdrawing from individual teachers their authority to impose religious practices and prayers on their students.

The trustees are to be commended for recognizing that the existing policy is inappropriate for a modern community which is increasingly diverse.  The preamble to the draft policy expresses the Board's "desire . . . to establish and maintain inclusive environments in schools" and its commitment to "promote a school atmosphere that supports inclusion and that respects the diversity of religious belief which exists among students."  These goals are fitting and appropriate to a system that is intended to welcome students of all backgrounds.

The draft policy goes on to list "illustrative . . . activities that may be considered to be of a religious nature and which are permitted in District schools".  These activities include such things as a moment of silence, extra-curricular religious clubs, ceremonial prayers at special events, performance of artistic selections with religious themes, distribution of religious literature, the use of symbols and memorial services.

The draft policy provides that parents may request in writing that their children be "excused" from activities which they consider "religious in nature."  Unfortunately, such a provision does much to undue the progress achieved with the policy's preamble.  Putting the burden on families to opt their children out of group activities can have the result of red-flagging and even stigmatizing those who choose not to participate.  Senior Canadian courts have acknowledged that opt-out policies  harm  children and unfairly force on families the dilemma of either exposing their children to unwelcome comment and treatment, or of fearing to be true to their individual religious orientation.  This can affect anyone, but can be especially painful for  immigrants whose background is different from the mainstream.

Other school systems have dealt with this issue in a manner that achieves the goals stated in the Board's preamble.  Calgary for many years has required that certain religious activities be scheduled so as "to minimize the disruption of learning and teaching."  It would be a simple and proper thing to require that all permitted activities of a nature acknowledged to be seen by some as religious be conducted so as to avoid infringing the rights of non-participants.

There are those who would like to impose their perception of majority religious practice on all, without respect for the right to be different.  If you agree that public institutions, and especially public schools, should be fully open to all on an equal basis, please contact the Board members through the District superintendent, whose contact information is below.  In your own words, let them know that "opting out"  is simply a method for the (self-declared) majority to impose itself on those who choose differently. Time is short;  please contact the trustees as soon as you can.  (Not all Board trustees regularly read email, so directing your comments to them through the Superintendent is more efficient.)  Please feel free to distribute this message to all you know who care about keeping public institutions open to all on an equal basis.  Thank you for your efforts.

- Anonymous (Parent of school children)

If the School Act and 'district policies' are going to be used to allow for the presence of non-curriculum programs at the school, then any other provision of the School Act and school board policy should also apply to the program and the nature of the program.

If the School Act and Board policy are used to allow for the program, than that program should not be a proselytizing one that promotes religious intolerance. Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child clearly promote religious intolerance through statements made by their CEO, statements that appear on their website and with the proselytizing Christian literature that is distributed with the boxes. The provision of the gift boxes along with this literature is a form of coercion, especially considering the fragile condition of most of the recipients.

I do not feel that it is appropriate for our public schools to support any religious project or program whose ultimate goal is to convert other people (especially children) to any particular religion. This is clearly an evangelistic missionary project whose ultimate goal is exactly this. I do not believe that the end justifies the means, nor do I believe that it is appropriate to use a public school and our school children for that purpose. There are other venues in the community that are more appropriate (churches, service clubs, individual residences, etc).

By allowing our schools to be used as a venue for Operation Christmas Child you are actively demonstrating your support for the project and its ultimate goal of converting others to Christianity. What message does this send to our public school children who are not Christian? This sends the message that we value Christianity over their religion. This is not appropriate. The program is not appropriate in a public school.

The true intent of Operation Christmas Child (religious conversion) is woven together with some very emotional issues – Christmas, the spirit of giving and children in need. It is important to separate the overall philosophy of the organization and the ultimate goal of the project from these in order to address the real issue.

Our family has provided support to Operation Christmas Child in the past. We ceased supporting the project when we learned of its ultimate goal. It was only through our very time consuming research that we felt we had received enough information to make an informed decision. Once we had done so, we felt betrayed by the misleading information (or lack of information) that had been presented at the school and by some teachers.

I am sharing this information with you in the hopes it will assist you in making an informed decision on whether or not you support school sponsorship of this project by the use of the school as a venue to promote it.

- Anonymous (parent of elementary school children)