Forum Topic

Don't donate your books to Oxfam Bookshop on The Green

I popped into the Oxfam bookshop on The Green yesterday and was shocked when I saw the staff working in the stockroom laughing at the books that had been brought in and then throwing them across the stockroom.When I raised this with the girl working at the desk she said 'oh are they doing that....well the books look alright on the shelf don't they?'.I don't understand why you would work in a bookshop if you don't like books but I would suggest that you donate your books to an organisation that is actually going to treat your donation with some respect.

Matt Prior ● 4881d41 Comments

Looks like the Vicar did it then!!

Peter Chadburn ● 4831d

Quite.it takes a brave man to take on lunatics with guns and bombs though...

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

"As the saying goes..."I guess we will just have to differ on that one.And no, their time will not come.  Just like everybody else they will simply end up as worm food.  :-)Christianity is a target because it is the "established" religion in this country.And, personally, quite apart from the distress of having to watch people believe in things which aren't true, what primarily animates me is all of the historic injustices done down through the ages by those in power within the church in the name of religion - not least by any means being the system of tithes** imposed on the people of this country which was only finally abolished by parliament as recently as 1977.  And that is not to even mention the physical and emotional harm showered upon the population by the religeous powers down through the ages.[**Staggeringly, there are many european countries which still impose this religous tax - adminstered on behalf of the churches by the government.  How many people are aware that if they buy certain properties in this country they are still to this day at risk of being slapped with huge bills regardless of their own religeous persuasion any time the local vicar fancies a new roof on his church? Outrageous!]We may have largely seen the back of these kinds of things so far as christianity is concerned in this country, but it is still going on elsewhere.Avoidance of a repeat of this exploitation requires eternal vigilance from the rest of us.I'll grant you that there is an element of blaming the children for the sins of their fathers in this, but I do think that the church still has a huge amount to answer for yet.  Just witness how difficult it is to get an apology out of the pope for example!  I really do think that a sense of shame about their various religeous orders past shenanigans would go a long way to making the modern face of religion much more acceptable (that and staying the f*ck *COMPLETELY* out of the lives and out of the faces of those who don't wish to be or have yet to be tainted by their false beliefs).Lest you start to think that there is no balance in my reasoning please remember that i am sticking up for the POV that is agin religion.  The perspective presented is therefore, necessarily, presented from a particular direction.I know very many*** good christians (and moslems) and I have nothing but praise for them and what I call the "free social services" provided to the community by the various churches / religions.  Heck, I have even done electrical installation work and the like for my wife's church free of charge and continue to offer such assistance whenever I can by way of doing my bit to assist with this laudable service that they provide to the community.[*** OTOH, some of the biggest hypocrits with the meanest minded streaks I have ever come across are to be found amongst regular churchgoers.  I have nothing but contempt for these.]

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

Walking on eggshells to appease lunatics has been tried and does not work.

Keith Iddon ● 4832d

Not at all but is does appear that Christianity is an esy tearget for such people as we don't tend to fight back on their level. Still, their time will come.As the saying goes "ain't no atheists in a foxhole"

Nigel Brooks ● 4832d

The reason they are not so brave attacking islam is purely pragmatic and is because a faction of that persuasion has a tendency to respond with extreme violence - not because it is a religion which deserves not to be "attacked" just in the same ways as all other - i.e. by gentle persuasion that their world view is at odds with reality.Would you normally support the supression of alternative points of view based on the potential liklihood of somebody giving you a pasting in return?

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

Re  I have friends in Palestine (Christian)         xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    I also chose my words with care as I must say the Muslim friends I have are extremely nice people and I am sure would do no-one of another religion any harm, indeed most agree with most of my views. The special Pakistani  friend  years ago asked me to go and find him a woman to which I said  you will get stoned to death, no I won't he declared but it just went to show even he, who prays 5 times a day, are " human " and follow those instincts despite what the religion requires. He drinks like a fish, used to smoke like a trooper but due to friends having contracted cancer, fortunately appears to have drastically reduced. Surprising that no religion mentions that form of pleasure?. This thread btw has gawn totally off course, and has only  taken awf since the transfer to religion!.

Tony Price ● 4832d

If you mean Islam Tony,why not say it rather than skirting around the issue with 'that particular religion' nonsense?

Keith Iddon ● 4832d

TonyI said most for the obvious reasons that you state. I have friends in Palestine (Christian) who suffer at the hnad of two particularly intolerant religions.

Nigel Brooks ● 4832d

Re  Most faiths teach tolerance,          xxxxxxxxxxxx    I take issue with you there Nigel, especially as you cite on particular religion which requires the death of any adherent who leaves that faith. I hardly call that tolerance  plus I am sure you are quite informed re the massive number of  deaths  injuries  assaults etc carried out by  adherents to that particular religion against Christians and their establishments throughout the world. Whereas the latter are not carried out by the middle stream members it cannot be denied the less educated and some of the religious leaders are guilty of the most horrendous attacks on Christians. Most Christians  have or are leaving Iraq, and the future of Christians in Syria is  dire to say the least, indeed the Middle East, where Christianity was born, is set to become Christian free.

Tony Price ● 4832d

Thank God for Dawkins say I.It's the totalitarian atheists that hack me off, they are like militant vegetarians "no way except our way".Most faiths teach tolerance, something the Dawkins apparachiks would do well to note. I wonder if they would be so 'brave' attacking Islam?

Nigel Brooks ● 4832d

Yes, live and let live - that's the key.I only begin to get animated when people presume to start telling me how to think.

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

Well Tony at least that is one good thing. I worked with one atheist who actually was quite openly offensive sadly and used to go on about fairies. He was what i call a Dawkinsite and a real zealot!! I am basically a live and let live guy with several atheist friends (including some catholic atheists - that is where a church fails it's members). anyway enjoy yourself and liked your comment about the gymcheers peter

Peter Chadburn ● 4832d

Hey - we have a well developed sense of humour.It's you lot we worry about.  :-)And just like you can't resist a dig or two - neither can I.sauce for the goose and all that.(It may surprise you, given my recently stated clear position on religion, to discover that I have been happily married to a practicing christian (who is currently studying for a qualification on lay ministry) for nearly 25 years now.  We mostly agree to differ as you can imagine, but I have debated many vicars (on account of the surprising fact that I find a large number amongst my immediate circle of friends) to a complete standstill on this whole "god" thing.)

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

Thanks GerryJust funny to see that the Dawkins crowd have no sense of humour. I just can't resist a dig or 2!! Am reading a very interesting new Book called First Life by MC Tucker which takes a serious look at these matters. all very illuminating about the history of philosophy and science. Fascinating but not available at Oxfam yet.cheers Peter

Peter Chadburn ● 4832d

Gerry, I would be completely fine with this if it were not for the widespread proselytizing on behalf of religion that goes on around the world.Somebody has to stand up to them!

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

Religion and faith are very personal things and should not be discussed and talked about too freely - better to keep it sotto voce imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4832d

And I, in turn, am leaping to his defence.  :-)Agreed - evil people are evil people - without exception and without reference to colour, creed, or religion.The bee in my bonnet comes from the peculiar additional layer of hypocrisy that attaches to those who invoke justification for their actions "in the name of god" (whether they be, allegedly, christian, moslem, or anybody else).It is just that, because the world's religions teach (as far as I am aware universally) love, peace, and help one's fellow man, that I find the evil acts done under this banner *particularly* evil because of the cynicism involved.(As an athiest myself it also affronts my intelligence to have people claim justification for their evil from non-existent entities.  But then I guess most people would argue that the evildoers in this context do not pass any test for being true believers anyway.)

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

Tonyjust having a lighthearted dig at Dawkins. As a Christian I also feel that many people in the past have hi-jacked God for their own purposes and many Churches as institutions would fail the test of a returning Jesus. However Dawkins is worth having a dig at because atheism whilst being a perfectly valid non-belief has the unfortunate history of it's philosphers and proponents also leading to mass-murder. Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot are just a few. All who twist other peoples words into a justification for their actions are without morality. so to say that actions frequently done in the name of religion is a bit of an exageration. the real argument should be against hypocracy, corruption of power and moral bankruptcy.

Peter Chadburn ● 4832d

Religion is, mostly, harmless.(That done in the name of religion however frequently *is* evil.)

Tony Colliver ● 4832d

No doubt this was previously owned by Richard Dawkins who will see it is scientific proof that religion is evil!!

Peter Chadburn ● 4832d

We use this OXFAM bookshop and have done for a long as I remember - donating our unwanted books and buying "new" ones - the staff always seem to be pleasant and helpful.  Love their selection of books - dunno what all the fuss is about.

Gerry Tan ● 4836d

I have to say it doesn't match my experience - or that of my friend who worked there as a volunteer and was full of praise for the staff and particularly the manager, Stan, whom he described as hard working, sunny natured and respectful towards staff and customers.  I've always found the staff friendly and helpful - and more knowledgable about books than many mainstream book shops.

Maureen Knight ● 4836d

Re  bus fares to and from home refunded!           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    are you saying that not only do they not get paid for working there,they don't even get travelling costs!. If so,disgusting, about time Oxfam ( an organisation I have never liked ) realise charity begins at home.

Tony Price ● 4880d

Matches my daughter's experience.She volunteered there a few years back and was appalled at the attitude of the management.

Tony Colliver ● 4880d

Whoops I sent this to the wrong thread - or did I???I can't see how this post got to this thread?

Eric Alan Leach ● 4880d

They are not for their volunteers, who do not even get their bus fares to and from home refunded!

John Arthur Forest ● 4880d

Re  a decision made by well salaried professional charity managers.        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    indeed so. Several years ago I was surprised to learn of the size of their fleet of private cars in this country. Who are they for?.

Tony Price ● 4880d

It does make you feel better to get it off your chest, discover that you have kindred spirits and that you are not alone. Oxfam as an organisation is pretty innefective (other than generating jobs for the boys/girls in the "professional" chariy sector),  while the on the shop floor response that you get depends on the volunteer. One young unemployed graduate that I know volunteered for Oxfam off her own bat (the Ealing Voluntary Services people who have just launched a website couldnt/wouldnt help her find voluntary work) and was then made "redundant" from a voluntary role several months later to "make way" for equally free people doing "work experience" as part of their JobCentre requiremebts to receive the dole - a decision made by well salaried professional charity managers. Yesterday I though long and hard before deciding NOT to go into that branch of Oxfam to buy a book that I wanted, knowing how the organisation really operates.

John Arthur Forest ● 4880d

Thanks for all the feedback on the problems and 'decongestion' ideas. I am Chair of the Interim West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum (WECNF). The WECNF, under the auspices of the 2011 Localism Act is trying to create a Local Development Plan for the centre of West Ealing.The Council has £3.417 million plans for 'improvements' to the Uxbridge Road and other Ealing travel routes. It's part of its Local Improvement: Transport Programme (LIP). LIP is funded by Ealing Council and TfL (ie local and London taxpayers).The proposed LIP changes to West Ealing and Hanwell will be discussed at a meeting open to all called 'Corridor 1c: Special Ward Forum'. It's on Wednesday 3 December in the Princes Room Ealing Town Hall. Starts at 7:30 pm. Come along and give Officers, Councillors and attending local plebs your views.By the way the LIP budget makes for interesting reading, including:'Cycle Hub' and 'Direct Support for Cycling': £890,000'Canal towpath cycling improvements: Southall to Greenford': £700,000Cyclist really are the new Royalty.

Eric Alan Leach ● 4880d

Re  this thread          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx was started by a person who does not post very often and I am sure he did so in this instance with every good intent and reason. So stop jumping down his throat  but give him encoragement.

Tony Price ● 4881d

Are there any Dorothy Sayers's books where the vicar dunnit? Haven't read them for a while but it doesn't ring any bells.

Susan Kelly ● 4881d

Ouch. That reminds me of a hotel bible I once saw with the inscription on the inside cover "All the best. God"

James Brown ● 4881d

I'm sure the good staff at the Oxfam used books shop onEaling Green didn't mean to be disrespectful.  We love that used bookshop - its a great place to spend a few hours - lovely selection of books. But, was a bit miffed one day to find a Dorothy L Sayers murder book where some wag had pencilled a brief message in the middle of the book: "The vicar done it"

Gerry Tan ● 4881d

Well if they were laughing at you or throwing books at you then maybe a book thrown back would suffice but otherwise, complaint to Oxfam, then if they send an inadequate response post.It's the same as all those who endlessly stand in the street complaining about the street leaves not being dealt with but won't dare make a complaint to the authority who can do something about it. The let everyone know what they do or don't do.

Michael Brandt ● 4881d

How on earth do you know that the staff weren't laughing as part of a conversation they were having rather than the title / condition of the books? The books that are for sale look alright on the shelves don't they? It's very succesful at what it sells, so they must be doing something right for you to think of going there in the first place.

Ben Owen ● 4881d

Too right Nigel. Without really investigating comments which I have heard about this shop, I am told it stocks quite a good range of decent books. Although the S/H bookshop is not a charity, it is because of the charitable nature of the owners that the shop in Osterley is the better choice for me.They get paid less than the executives of Oxfam.

George Knox ● 4881d

Spot on Bud.Moaning here, as many have found out, changes little if anything.

Nigel Brooks ● 4881d

Wouldn't it have been wiser to have simply emailed Oxfam to make them aware of the actions of the ones you mention ? This took me seconds to Google (link below) and would've been more effective than ostracising the Ealing shop...http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/help/contact-us

Bud Richards ● 4881d

What, the staff? Now that is a frightening thought...

Eric Alan Leach ● 4881d

Perhaps they were all Jeffrey Archers?

Susan Kelly ● 4881d