Samaritan’s Purse Responds to Accusation Operation Christmas Child Is ‘Anti-Muslim Proselytizing’

Nov 11, 2018 by Jill

by Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post:

Samaritan’s Purse, the organization behind the Operation Christmas Child project, has responded to accusations that it’s anti-gay and anti-Muslim.

The Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee argued in an article on Thursday that the gift boxes sent to children, many in Muslim countries, stem from an organization that holds anti-Muslim and anti-homosexual sentiments.

Samaritan’s Purse, which is led by evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, responded to the op-ed in an email to The Christian Post on Friday, stating that Operation Christmas Child is “aimed specifically to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas — the birth of Jesus.”

“Our purpose is to show God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. We do this by distributing millions of shoebox gifts to children who are affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine to let them know that they are not forgotten,” the group said.

“No matter where we go, we don’t hide the fact that we are Christians. As our name illustrates, we are upfront about who we are,” it told CP.

“Shoebox gifts are given to children regardless of religious affiliation and with no strings attached. Our method is demonstrated in love and we hope that our acts of compassion are an example of our faith.”

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Read also: This Christmas, beware evangelical Christians bearing gifts by Polly Toynbee, Guardian