Firstly let me say that I am not a fundamentalist Christian, but I am a Christian and I have done work with Samaritan's Purse, both OCC and other projects. I have been on the front line of the aid efforts of Samaritans purse. I have worked with the kids seen how the organisation works on the ground.
This rumour that the boxes are given to children only if they accept a bible are, in my experience, totally unfounded. Several people that I know and trust have been involved in the distribution of shoeboxes in countries all over the world and their experiences do not support this rumour in any way.
Samaritans purse is a Christian Organisation, it makes no apologies for that, but it is not specifically fundamentalist, it is for all branches of Christianity. Evangelism is not performed to the same extent as this rumour makes out.
OCC is a great project that brings joy to children of all faiths who live with the effects of extreme poverty. And I think it sick to make allegations about this project without any concrete proof to prove it.
I am appalled by the comments on this website regarding the downplay of Christianity of the Samaritan's Purse organization. Have you every read one of their brochures. The mention of Christ's love is on every page. This website (Operation Christmas Child Alert) is just one of the many ways that we see SATAN alive in the world today. Thank you Billy and Franklin Graham for starting this wonderful organization. My church is taking part in putting together shoeboxes for the 2nd year in a row, and all the families love taking part. As for people not giving boxes to children unless they convert, I just have to say GET A LIFE!!!!!!!
I have read one of their brochures. I don't know which one you read, but there was no "spread the love of God" in mine. It was completley decieving.
Instead of calling the website owner(s)satanists why don't you actually put forth a convincing argument as to why people shouldn't be informed of the Evangelism involved in OCC. You know, instead just telling everyone who doesn't agree with you to "GET A LIFE!"
The guy who wrote this article must be living under a rock somewhere. Billy Graham started Samaritan’s Purse who runs OCC. SP is an evangelical Christian organization. Somebody please explain to this clown what EVANGELIZE means! Does he think Billy Graham is a secular philanthropist? There's no hiding the fact that SP and OCC are both Christian organizations and as Christians we are called to spread God's message. Plus, it's called Operation CHRISTMAS child. Not operation "Happy Holiday's" child or operation "Gee it's cold outside" child. I personally think it would be a shame that the if people receiving the box at the end of the line were missing the message of Christ, God, giving and love. My family is sending 16 boxes this year, we are sending them with the Spirit of love and giving in our hearts. We pray that God finds the children that need these boxes and fills their hearts with His love. I hope that everybody that participates gives with the love of Jesus in their heart. If you have decided to not participate now knowing that OCC has the word Christmas in it which does mean it is a Christ based organization you may want to forward your boxes to Tom Cruise, Bono, Madonna or even Bin Laden and let them distribute them.
These were my sentiments as well--the "warning" about OCC seems incredibly naive of the author--how could one not know of the associated evangelistic work--or that it was specifically Christian? "The Good Samaritan" is a prominent story from the Bible. It is actually a great representation of the work of Samaritan's Purse, since it teaches the wonderful acts (over and above anything expected) of one person for another, even though the respective groups they were from were at complete odds with one another--and in fact, probably wouldn't even walk on the same side of the road, much less talk with one another. Further, the men usually perceived as "good guys", who came before the Samaritan, had ignored and actively avoided the injured man's needs.
Criticism is easy. Walking on the other side of the street is easy. Blogging is easy. Getting involved takes true effort, time, and love--helping those less fortunate and making sure that they have the truth of God's love and free gift of eternal life (vs. a belief that we have to earn His love, or a belief that we could make God owe us eternal life through good works or evil jihad). These children deserve the opportunity to be set free of cults and religious controllers.
Delivering the Truth may not be convenient or easy, but we are called to be messengers.
Anonymous wrote:
The guy who wrote this article must be living under a rock somewhere. Billy Graham started Samaritans Purse who runs OCC. SP is an evangelical Christian organization. Somebody please explain to this clown what EVANGELIZE means! Does he think Billy Graham is a secular philanthropist? There's no hiding the fact that SP and OCC are both Christian organizations and as Christians we are called to spread God's message. Plus, it's called Operation CHRISTMAS child. Not operation "Happy Holiday's" child or operation "Gee it's cold outside" child. I personally think it would be a shame that the if people receiving the box at the end of the line were missing the message of Christ, God, giving and love. My family is sending 16 boxes this year, we are sending them with the Spirit of love and giving in our hearts. We pray that God finds the children that need these boxes and fills their hearts with His love. I hope that everybody that participates gives with the love of Jesus in their heart. If you have decided to not participate now knowing that OCC has the word Christmas in it which does mean it is a Christ based organization you may want to forward your boxes to Tom Cruise, Bono, Madonna or even Bin Laden and let them distribute them.
