Operation Christmas Child - Make An Informed Decision

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by troutman

Why can't the gift be given without the strings attached? It's not really a gift otherwise. It's like getting a free booze cruise in Pto. Vallarta (but the catch is you have to sit through a 3 hour time share seminar first).

As a Christian, I have absolutely no qualms with your right to provide relief abroad, and to accompany it with your own claims about the "joys of atheism". Mind you, I am probably in the minority among Christians on that one.

First of all, Samaritan's Purse provides a valuable and indespensible service. They have access to places where relief would simply never arrive. They are able to collect and distribute these packages efficiently and probably at a lower cost than any other organization. So what if it comes attached to an evangelistic message? I would think that even you would agree that this is a small price to pay to see a segment of humanity reap some tangible benefits that they would otherwise NEVER receive.

Second, you must understand that in many people's minds, the absolutely most important aspect of this ministry is the message that accompanies it. If many had their way, they would be content to mail tracts and literature WITHOUT the really useful stuff that also finds its way abroad in these packages. I am sad to say it, but if not for Samaritan's Purse, tens of thousands of people who participate in this activity would likely not be involved in this sort of charity. Thank God that they are, regardless of their reasons for it.

I really could care less what someone's motive behind it is; so long as people are helped and our world is improved tangibly by it, it is all good.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Nice drive by Tranny. If only FG's agenda was to spread gods love. Their own literature states it is much more than that.

Drive by?

I read what was stated throughout this thread by you and others and made an informed decision on what to do in my own mind. Is that OK with you?

Yes the Grahams agenda is more than just spreading what they believe to be gods word and the joy they get from it....that's their reason for doing what they are doing.

I live less than 10 miles from the Graham estate in Montreat, so I am well aware of what they do as a mission. However, in this specific case, the OCC mission of Samaritan purse is pretty clear on their objectives.

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love. This program of Samaritan's Purse provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands—on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1

Is there a part of this you disagree with?

Simple question...are the beneficiaries of this program better off with or without receiving these shoe-boxes?

I am pretty confident in choosing "with" therefore I will be supporting the program more than in the past. Hope this is OK with your anti-religious ways....which has nothing to do with the children involved.

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Drive by?

I read what was stated throughout this thread by you and others and made an informed decision on what to do in my own mind. Is that OK with you?

Yes the Grahams agenda is more than just spreading what they believe to be gods word and the joy they get from it....that's their reason for doing what they are doing.

I live less than 10 miles from the Graham estate in Montreat, so I am well aware of what they do as a mission. However, in this specific case, the OCC mission of Samaritan purse is pretty clear on their objectives.



http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.asp?MPGID=1

Is there a part of this you disagree with?

Simple question...are the beneficiaries of this program better off with or without receiving these shoe-boxes?

I am pretty confident in choosing "with" therefore I will be supporting the program more than in the past. Hope this is OK with your anti-religious ways....which has nothing to do with the children involved.

The original point of this thread was whether or not you could invest your donation dollars in a different (*BETTER*) manner and "making an informed decision" if you are going to invest with OCC.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

As a Christian, I have absolutely no qualms with your right to provide relief abroad, and to accompany it with your own claims about the "joys of atheism". Mind you, I am probably in the minority among Christians on that one.

First of all, Samaritan's Purse provides a valuable and indespensible service. They have access to places where relief would simply never arrive. They are able to collect and distribute these packages efficiently and probably at a lower cost than any other organization. So what if it comes attached to an evangelistic message? I would think that even you would agree that this is a small price to pay to see a segment of humanity reap some tangible benefits that they would otherwise NEVER receive.

Second, you must understand that in many people's minds, the absolutely most important aspect of this ministry is the message that accompanies it. If many had their way, they would be content to mail tracts and literature WITHOUT the really useful stuff that also finds its way abroad in these packages. I am sad to say it, but if not for Samaritan's Purse, tens of thousands of people who participate in this activity would likely not be involved in this sort of charity. Thank God that they are, regardless of their reasons for it.

I really could care less what someone's motive behind it is; so long as people are helped and our world is improved tangibly by it, it is all good.

Here, here.

Imagine, giving gifts to children in third-world countries along with information about God.

Those evil Christians!

[transplant99]

The original point of this thread was whether or not you could invest your donation dollars in a different (*BETTER*) manner and "making an informed decision" if you are going to invest with OCC.

And I answered that...

I read what was stated throughout this thread by you and others and made an informed decision on what to do in my own mind.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

My friend it is you who doesn't know what they are talking about. OCC openly admits that it USES the shoebox program with the hope of converting children and their families to their brand of Christianity, not Christianity in general.

“I believe God has blessed this program because it is about more than Christmas presents... As long as evangelism is the focus, God will continue to bless it.” - Franklin Graham

I wonder what your reaction would be to your child coming home with a shoebox provided by the local Mosque, complete with the Koran and a list of reasons why he should convert to Islam. I doubt you'd be so open minded.

And before you toss another flippant remark about Jews using hannukah, please tell me where they are actively trying to convert children in Africa and other troubled parts of the world.

So now they openly admit it? Last you told me that it was a "hidden agenda".

As for whether I'd be offended by a muslim church advertising to my kid, I suppose that if I were in dire straights and in need of toy-filled shoeboxes to supply my kid with toys, I really wouldn't care which church was being promoted.


What is with the hate for people doing nice things? Because they're religious? Because they're advertising and trying to expand? Is it much different than the Calgary Flames having an open house where they invite kids to try out for junior reporter? they have an agenda. a new generation of flames fans. Just like churches. FFS, do you hear yourself? Don't you realize that everyone in the world is promoting something all the time? Keep searching for altruism, bud. When you find it, let us know.