Atheists object to Christmas toy drive on Air Force base – and win

originally posted by: Isurrender73
a reply to: Kryties

From what I have seen the salvation army, toys for tots and other religious charities give toys to anyone who asks for toys. And no one is asked are you Christians. Nor would their children be denied even if they were not.

Of course.

He/she just wants to make a big deal out of it.

originally posted by: Bigburgh
a reply to: Annee

That is a good point.
I'm wandering if they'll go after the Marines next..
But the Marines call it Toys for Tots.

Except the Marine Reserve doesn't send out emails from DoD accounts making a link between the Christian faith and Toys for Tots. And the Reserve runs the campaign, it doesn't solicit support from service members on behalf of a campaign run by a Christian group.

Kind of a massive difference between the two.

originally posted by: Isurrender73
Did the email say any non Christian is dammed to hell for not following Christ and giving toys?

Yes.

"Our goal is to fill 5,000+ shoe boxes to be sent around the world as a way to show children in desperate situations that God loves and values them. Many of these children have never received a gift before. Many have never heard of God's incredible free Gift of Salvation through His Son. But a simple gift, a shoebox packed and prayed for by you could give a child hope and eternal security. Come, partner with us and CCA, be a 'missionary' filling shoebox gifts and praying over them with us"

Just for kicks and giggles as stated from my friend just now..... whom is catholic and a scientist.

" The Patron saint/just patron of atheism is Charles Darwin "

Besides the military has provided accommodations to atheist as well as any other Ideology following. They had to provide a meeting place just like any other ideology..

And as for funeral services. It's for the comfort of the families. And the 21 gun salute with Honor Guards, is and honor to the deceased service men/women.

originally posted by: DelMarvel

originally posted by: bastion

originally posted by: Annee
The Air Force has a long history of forcing Christianity.

They've been taken to court more then once.

I support Separation of Church and State 100%.

They wanna collect toys? Don't call it Christmas.

I'm afraid as an atheist I have to disagree 100%.

They're just giving presents to kids, yes it's called Christmas, but these days Christmas is a general excuse for everyone to get together and be nice to each other and swap gifts for a day and isn't purely a religious thing.

Yes, but it was being made a "religious thing;" specifically a religious thing for a very contentious ministry and it came from the office of the squadron commander.

If this woman had not had a history of using her office to proselytize and if the invitation had just been presented as an opportunity to volunteer for a Christmas toy drive (even one sponsored by a religious group) there probably wouldn't have been a complaint.

Thanks for the info, was completely unaware of who investigated or her background. It's be greatly appreciated if you or other can provide her name IF LEGAL TO DO SO as I clearly need to do more research, and this is a very interesting story, and certainly more than meets the original article

Did the toy drive go ahead under another name or was it cancelled all together? If it was the latter I'll say screw the whiny douches who complained. I am pretty sure the children on the receiving end of those gifts don't give a toss who gave them out or under who's name it was done. They are probably just excited to actually be receiving a gift instead of nothing. Damn PC society with little whinge bags who get their poor fweelwings hurt.

originally posted by: deadeyedick
Athiest are devoid of all common sense and rationale if they support such actions in this manner.

I sure hope the term separation of church and state does not end us but as it stands it is continually being misinterpreted in a manner that ends with a completely faithless gov including the removal of all religious people and culture.

You just keep trying to fight that Separation of Church and State in every thread that mentions it.

Court cases prove it.

In the majority of Secular vs Religious - - involving government - - Secular is the clear winner.

originally posted by: Isurrender73
a reply to: Kryties

From what I have seen the salvation army, toys for tots and other religious charities give toys to anyone who asks for toys. And no one is asked are you Christians. Nor would their children be denied even if they were not.

Yep, I know. But that poster is specifically trying to imply that THIS PARTICULAR toy collection will result in non-Christian kids NOT receiving toys. This is complete nonsense.

As long as underprivileged kids get toys, who bloody cares if it is offered by people who are Christian or if it is under the guise of Christianity. Give the kids their bloody toys and stop being so bloody selfish.

originally posted by: DelMarvel

originally posted by: Isurrender73
Did the email say any non Christian is dammed to hell for not following Christ and giving toys?

Yes.

"Our goal is to fill 5,000+ shoe boxes to be sent around the world as a way to show children in desperate situations that God loves and values them. Many of these children have never received a gift before. Many have never heard of God's incredible free Gift of Salvation through His Son. But a simple gift, a shoebox packed and prayed for by you could give a child hope and eternal security. Come, partner with us and CCA, be a 'missionary' filling shoebox gifts and praying over them with us"

Thank you for the clarity. I agree this was inappropriate. Without the first highlighted sentence I would have supported the email.

Add - I will never support the idea of unforced prayer as being offensive.

originally posted by: sosobad
I'll say screw the whiny douches who complained.

How about screw the whiny douches that keep trying to force their religious belief.

Military is secular.

originally posted by: Shamrock6

originally posted by: Bigburgh
a reply to: Annee

That is a good point.
I'm wandering if they'll go after the Marines next..
But the Marines call it Toys for Tots.

Except the Marine Reserve doesn't send out emails from DoD accounts making a link between the Christian faith and Toys for Tots. And the Reserve runs the campaign, it doesn't solicit support from service members on behalf of a campaign run by a Christian group.

Kind of a massive difference between the two.

That was my point. The Marines hopefully shouldn't get bothered by this. Because it's called "Toy For Tots" .
No mention of Christ... just doing it for the kids no matter what.

Note: sorry shamrocks. I re-read your clarification between the 2.

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: Isurrender73
a reply to: Kryties

From what I have seen the salvation army, toys for tots and other religious charities give toys to anyone who asks for toys. And no one is asked are you Christians. Nor would their children be denied even if they were not.

Of course.

He/she just wants to make a big deal out of it.

No, you want to push an agenda whereby these people are specifically denying non-Christian kids the toys because they are not Christian - which is complete hogwash.

Further to that you are being deliberately obtuse when I specifically ask you to address this and then playing victim when repeatedly questioned on why you are still trying to push a clearly wrong agenda.

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: sosobad
I'll say screw the whiny douches who complained.

How about screw the whiny douches that keep trying to force their religious belief.

Military is secular.

Nice to see that your poor little delicate feelings are more important than underprivileged children.

originally posted by: Bigburgh
" The Patron saint/just patron of atheism is Charles Darwin "

I became atheist through religion. The more I researched religion, the more I realized it was man making a myth.

I never heard of Charles Darwin - - until I read some postings on ATS.

It gets really annoying that some think I had to have another person tell me what I think.

a reply to: sosobad

That poster appears quite willing lie and obfuscate about the topic to push an agenda that has nothing to do with giving toys to kids.

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: sosobad
I'll say screw the whiny douches who complained.

How about screw the whiny douches that keep trying to force their religious belief.

Military is secular.

Humor, always good.

I can't believe I have to spell this out for some people - people who clearly have grown too bitter and miserable in their own lives - but Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year for children. Most don't even realize the "Christ" part - its become such a big part of our culture that it's recognized as a holiday without recognizing the Christian background of it (for many).

While I will concede that perhaps this could have been handled differently, the greater point is that athiests are so bent on catching any inkling of religion that they don't care that their actions have greater negative impact.

Good for people for volunteering for a charity that benefits kids, regardless of religious affiliation. There are people who need help and care in this world more than athiests need their own personal satisfaction. Get over yourselves.

a reply to: Annee

You have stated clearly that you would be ok with carrying out the definition to the letter and removing everything religious from the country including people.

[SNIP]

You see that when faced with the issue of the airforce absolutely zero amount of tact was used and that shows that if givin the opportunity that the ones that follow such beliefs are not fit to breathe any longer much less lead us in the future.

However like you said you are getting up in the yrs and will likely not suffer from your unwise stances on such issues but like a coward you will fade into the future and your family will be paying the price for your misgivings. NICE JOB

originally posted by: Tucket

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: sosobad
I'll say screw the whiny douches who complained.

How about screw the whiny douches that keep trying to force their religious belief.

Military is secular.

Humor, always good.

The Air Force is continuously in trouble for trying to force Christianity.

How many spankings do they need before they get it?

originally posted by: sosobad
Did the toy drive go ahead under another name or was it cancelled all together? If it was the latter I'll say screw the whiny douches who complained. I am pretty sure the children on the receiving end of those gifts don't give a toss who gave them out or under who's name it was done. They are probably just excited to actually be receiving a gift instead of nothing. Damn PC society with little whinge bags who get their poor fweelwings hurt.

The toy drive is run by Samaritan's Purse which is a Franklin Graham operation.

It has nothing to do with the Air Force Base and is still going on.

The complaint was not about the toy drive, the complaint was about the content of the solicitation to participate coming from the office of a military superior.